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New York Central 3
As far as Lovett Smith is concerned, the best way to see the country is by rail, and nowhere is the view any better than from the back of the New York Central 3.
An elegant business car built in 1928 for executives of the New York Central Railroad, the NYC 3 is still transporting people to different places, although not nearly as often as when it was part of the Empire State Express during much of the 20th century. Smith, a former manager with Union Carbide and now retired, purchased the car in 1992 for $240,000 from a railroad repair yard in Florida after it had been abandoned by Conrail in Altoona, Pa. Posted on August 17, 2008.
The New York Central 3 private train car departs the Schenectady Amtrak station during its trip to New York City. Lovett Smith, center left in the white shirt, owner of the private train car, and his friend Robert Ebling — celebrating his birthday on the car — wave with their friends as the car pulls away from the station.
From left, Carter Evans and Betsy Evans of Stamford, Conn., Gail Ebling of Boston and DeDe Swift of Asheville, N.C., all enjoy the view from the rear of the New York Central 3 luxury railcar as it pulls out of Schenectady on its way to New York City from Montreal.
Photo courtesy Robert Ebling
DeDe Swift of Asheville, N.C., moves through the New York Central 3 luxury rail car during a recent trip to Montreal.
Smith’s New York Central 3 car sits in the Montreal train station at night.
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November 19, 2008
