BOONTON, N.J. — The United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey has expanded the car fleet for its popular Hudson River Rail Excursions, adding a third car, New York Central sleeper-buffet-lounge Swift Stream, built by the Budd Co. in 1949. Tickets for space on this car will go on sale Aug. 27 at 10 a.m. on the Hudson River Rail website.
“This is the largest and most consequential acquisition URHS has ever made in nearly 40 years,” the organization said in a post on its Facebook page, an announcement that came on the third anniversary of the start of the Hudson River Rail excursions. “This is only possible thanks to the passengers, staff, supporters, and volunteers that have made Hudson River Rail Excursions possible.”
The Swift Stream has six double bedrooms, a buffet, and a 22-seat lounge, and is one of 11 such cars built by Budd for the NYC. It later served for both Penn Central and Amtrak before entering private ownership in approximately 1990. It will join former 20th Century Limited observation car Hickory Creek and tavern-lounge No. 43 on Hudson River Rail excursions beginning in October.
For more information on the car, and to donate for its move and repairs needed for excursion operations, visit this page on the URHS website.
