Topic: History at Speed - Operating and Maintaining the Dover Harbor in the 21st Century
The Dover Harbor, a restored classic American sleeper-lounge-buffet railroad car, is the only heavy-weight Pullman revenue passenger car still operating in unrestricted train service on the main lines of America. The Dover Harbor is completely Amtrak compatible and is available for lease and charter service, mobile and stationary, at locations anywhere in the USA and parts of Canada. The car is rich in history, tradition, and elegance, yet it provides the comforts, convenience, and service you would expect from a fine hotel. It is beautifully restored to its authentic 1930s appearance and meets all current mechanical and safety requirements. The Dover Harbor was constructed by the Pullman Company of Chicago in July, 1923 as a combine baggage-library car named the Maple Shade. The 81 foot car weighed 80 tons and had four sections, a twelve-seat lounge, a barber shop, and a twenty-eight foot baggage area. Painted in the Pennsylvania Railroad's standard colors (Tuscan red), it operated in service at the head of that railroad's name trains, including the Broadway Limited and the Spirit of St. Louis for eleven years. In March, 1934, the Maple Shade was recalled into the Pullman Company Shops and rebuilt into six double bedrooms, a buffet, and a lounge, and was renamed the Dover Harbor. Air conditioning, which was new to railroad cars at that time, was also installed. After rebuilding it was repainted in the standard Pullman green and gold livery that it wears today. The Pullman Company assigned the car to service on a succession of railroads until it was retired on October 18, 1965. After passing through a series of private owners the Washington, D.C. Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society purchased the Dover Harbor on November 30, 1979. The Chapter placed great emphasis on retaining as much of the car's 1934 appearance as possible. The exterior of the Dover Harbor is repainted in Pullman green complete with authentic gold lettering. The beautiful interior of the car appears much as it did in the 1930s, complete with period carpet and furnishings. While maintaining its period appearance, the Chapter instituted mechanical improvements which enable the car to meet current standards. Since restoration began, the car has received high-speed roller-bearing trucks and wheel sets, new controlled-slack couplers, retention-toilets, upgraded brake system with anti-lock mechanism, and a self-contained 60kW diesel generator. The car's electrical system has also been replaced. The Dover Harbor became Amtrak certified on May 21, 1986. It is now the only heavy weight Pullman revenue car fully operational for private use on Amtrak passenger trains.