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ITM Office
Weekdays 9am to 3pm
(317) 773 6000
info@itm.org
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 The
Nickel Plate 1 served as the premier business car for the Nickel Plate Road for
many years. It was built in February 1929 by the Pullman Standard Company. From
1929 through 1936, it was used by Oris and Mantis VanSweringen, the owners of
the Nickel Plate. The brothers were also the owners of the C&O, PM, Erie
and the Missouri Pacific. Prior to their entry into the railroad business, they
developed Shaker Heights in Cleveland. They also built Terminal Tower, which is
still a major landmark in downtown Cleveland.
In 1942, the car was sold to Chesapeake and Ohio as their #1, then returned
to the Nickel Plate as #1 in 1949. When the Norfolk and Western bought the
Nickel Plate in 1964, it became N&W No.1. In 1967, the car became N&W
No.103, which it remained until being retired in 1971. It was then sold to
Henry Kegley, an industrialist in Bristol, Virginia who preserved it on a
siding at Tenneva Foods, a frozen food plant, until his death in 1998. In 1999
it was purchased from Mr. Kegley's estate for use at ITM. After much volunteer
effort, in May 2000 it moved by rail to ITM.
The car contains 4 bedrooms, each with toilet and wash basin, a general bath
with tub and shower, an observation room, dining room, kitchen, pantry, and
quarters for a crew of two. It weighs over 230,000 pounds, making it a true
heavyweight car.
NKP No.1 was acquired to preserve the premier business car of the Nickel
Plate Road so it could be experienced and enjoyed by the visitors to ITM. With
it, guests can be educated as to how business cars were used and what it
was like to be a guest on one.
The car is used during the Indiana State Fair and for museum fund
raising and public relations events. It is also available for charter service
on scheduled or special trains. For charter information, contact our Visitor Services
Manager at (317)
773-6000 or inquire via e-mail at info@itm.org.
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Please Note: Schedules are adhered to as closely as possible, but the railroad reserves
the right to alter schedules, substitute coaches and/or motive power as operating
conditions demand. No refund or exchanges on reserved tickets unless ticketed train does not operate.
ITM Office - Hours: Weekdays 9am to 3pm, (317) 773 6000
Indiana Transportation Museum Box 83
Noblesville, IN 46061-0083 317.773.6000
Copyright © 1998-2012, Indiana Transportation
Museum, All Rights Reserved.
page updated April 04, 2012 01:28 PM
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