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Business Car Roster

This list was compiled by Ed Lewnard and originally appeared in The Hoosier Line, Volume 21, Number 1. February 2002.

NEW 05-13-2004

Business Car #90

Business car #90 was purchased from the Southern Pacific Railway and rebuilt at Lafayette in 1906. There is also evidence that #90 was rebuilt in 1916. The car was probably lengthened and steel sheathed. Air conditioning was added in 1936. The car was moved to the National Museum of Transport in St. Louis in 1949. The initial agreement stated that the museum was to lease the car and Dr. John Payne Roberts, the President of the Museum would reside in the car. A popular legend was that #90 was one of the cars at the 1869 golden spike ceremony when it was the property of the Union Pacific. Data on inventory sheets do not show a build date, but it is estimated at 1887.

The car is currently is in a sad state. Visitors are no longer permitted access to the car and it has been moved away from public view. Restoration of this car is beyond the means of the Monon Railroad Historical-Technical Society.

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More Images Of Business Car #90

Business Car #1

Monon Business Car #1. Picture taken at French Lick. Date unknown. Original photographer, unknown.

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Business car #1, built in 1925, was aquired in 1946 from the Tennesse Central Railroad, where she wore the number 100. This car had a complete kitchen, dining room, two staterooms, section room and an observation room. The car currrently is on display at the Green Bay Railway Museum, although she is no longer in Monon colors. The picture was taken May 3, 1963 at Hammond, Indiana.

Additional Images Of Business Car #1
Including July 2005 images from the Green Bay Railway Museum.

Business Car #2...The Lynne

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The Lynne was aquired by the Monon in 1953. Named after Lynne Chambers, Warren Brown's granddaughter. Originally built by Pullman Standard in 1924, the car was rebuilt from the Pullman Great Spirit. The Lynne was a premier business car, complete with a kitchen, dining room, drawing room, two compartments and a large observation room. The car was retired in 1971 and sold to Brown Inc., of Michigan City. Today, Business Car #2 sits on Brown Inc. property in Porter County Indiana.

Left, Right and Below: The Lynne, circa May 2004 at Brown Inc., Burns Harbor, IN.

The car is visible from the highway. It is located about a mile south of U.S. Highway 20 in Burns Harbor, Indiana. There is a fence around the company property. The west shoulder, of 149, is wide enough to allow stopping for pictures, however, the east side of the higway is clearly marked "No Parking". The car was opened for the 1997 Convention Bus Tour. Maybe someone who took pictures will be willing to share them.

Business Car #3

Business Car #3 as The Survivor. Photo is circa 1997. Built in 1926 by American Car & Foundry as the Japauldon for F. W. Woolworth family. Most often used by Barbara Hutton. Reputed to be courtship car of Barbara Hutton and Cary Grant. Interior is rare golden heart oak. Privately owned until 1941, then Baltimore & Ohio business car 902, Monon 3, and Louisville & Nashville 350. Returned to private service in 1982. It is currently owned by Dante Stephensen, owner of Dante's Down the Hatch (a live jazz club in Atlanta) and has been advertised for sale recently.

Additional Monon Business Car Pictures.

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