For the last several weeks the L&N "Ohio River" Observation car has been parked at the Florida Central Railroad facility in Plymouth, Fl.(Just north of Orlando)Does anyone know any history of this car, when made, by who, etc. or why it is parked at Florida Central? I tried the L&N Historical society web page without much luck. Any other suggestions? Thanks

-- Tom Hughes (Tomrobalo@aol.com), April 21, 2001

Answers

The Ohio River was chartered so often that it was almost a regular on the Capitol Limited several years ago when I used to run the train out of Washington. I remember having the actress Jessica Lange, her husband, actor, Sam Sheppard and their family aboard when she was going to Chicago to film the movie, "Music Box". Although I didn't get to speak to her personally, I was told that she looked forward to the privacy the car afforded her to review her script without distration. We carried a lot of other celebrities on the Ohio River too.

-- Doug Riddell (railroaddoug@erols.com), April 24, 2001.

Tom, I was given an impromptu tour of the Ohio River by its owners about 7 years ago in Jacksonville (it was to be tacked onto the end of an Amtrak train). The car is privately owned and is leased for special trips. My father-in-law travelled on the car during his L&N days; the car was used by the L&N president and dignitaries in the 1960's and 70's. Don't recall the maker of the car or the year built. As I recall, it had 5 bedrooms, two with private showers, a good sized living area adjacent to the rear platform, a large mid-card dining room and cabinetry, a common shower, kitchen and crew quarters.

-- mark huband (mark.v.huband@convergys.com), April 24, 2001.

maybe the FCEN bought it to put together some sort of "business train", i doubt it tho. Prob storage for a private owner in the area

-- troy nolen (kirkwood@gdn.net), April 23, 2001.