October 2004 The Megaphone Page 4
by Sue (Riva) Eliserio '58
In the fall of 1958 I left the small, quiet town of Elwood for the big city of Chicago to enter Nurses' Training. I knew that my family would be only be able to make the trip up to see me on rare occasions, and I wasn't sure how I would make it home to see them. Luckily, I had an Uncle living in Lombard -- a short train ride from downtown Chicago, so in the beginning my weekends were spent with his family. Union Station was a 20 minute bus ride from the hospital where I went to school making it quite convenient. At that time the Pennsylvania Railroad had two trains going between Chicago and Elwood on a daily basis which helped me make the decision to travel by train. From the very first ride I loved it. The train went through parts of Chicago and other cities that I would not have seen otherwise followed by long stretches of open country. The clickity-clack of the wheels on the rails was completely relaxing but seldom put me to sleep as there was so much to see and hear. The same conductor was usually on that route and would always take time to talk to me. Many passengers were the same too. This train was not fancy, and no dining or Pullman cars were available, but I thought it was special. On every trip I told myself that one day I would travel across our great country by train -- one which had everything. That's when I also began to dream about private cars. Unfortunately, so far, all this has remained a dream. Or perhaps I'm fortunate because everything is still perfect.
I have read many articles about private railroad cars plus read a lot about them on the Internet. Along with some general information I would like to share about two unusual private cars -- the Scarlet Lady and the Ferdinand Magellan. From the late 1800's to the 1930's, private cars were owned by wealthy Americans as their transportation of choice. These cars were very opulent with brocade sofas, pianos, marble sinks, drapery, chandeliers and fireplaces. Tables were set with fine china and crystal and food was prepared by top chefs. Three things contributed to the demise of this Golden Era -- The Great Depression. airplane travel and love of the private car. About 150 of the renovated vintage cars are certified and can be linked to Amtrak trains which travel up to 110 mph in order to travel around the country. Many of these cars have presidential connections including funeral trains and whistle-stop campaigning. Private rail cars provide the ultimate travel experience mostly on regularly scheduled Amtrak trains to more destinations than any airline. Some owners make their car a permanent home; others charter their cars to help pay operating expenses.
The Scarlet Lady is a railway car which was built in the gracious times of long ago -- a mansion on rails fit for kings and princes. In the Gay Nineties the young and dashing Baron Michail Von Redl came to America and invested in a patent medicine business which made him millions of dollars. A friend introduced him to private railroading, and he was hooked for life. Almost immediately he ordered a custom built three car train from the Pullman Standard Company which included an office, sleeping car and a saloon car. The office was complete with indirect lighting, safe and the most modern facilities, and the sleeping car had a fireplace, built-in wardrobes and a bathtub. The most wonderful car of all was the Scarlet Lady, a saloon car with a bar, tasseled red velvet seat in, rich carved wood decoration, silken shades and curtains and an observation platform. This is the only car which currently survives.
The Baron traveled and lived the high life until he was finally bored into seclusion. Then he met a Mexican actress and followed her to Mexico where he disappeared. The railroad cars fell on bad times and the Scarlet Lady ended up on a dingy siding in Mexico just a shell of her former self. Later she was taken to a railroad junkyard in Arizona near the Grand Canyon where she was discovered by two railroad buffs just in time to prevent her dismantling. They commissioned a famous art director to restore the lady to the splendor of her youth. For several years thereafter she was a fixture of a restaurant near Los Angeles. More recently she was moved (all 180,000 pounds) to the Hayden Ranch Museum where she stands on her own section of track beside a station platform that is furnished with wrought iron benches and unique lamps.
The Ferdinand Magellan is unique among Pullman railroad cars in that it is the only car ever custom built for the President of the United States in the 20th Century. It was originally built in 1928 and was one of the last used as a private car. Until 1942 the President traveled in whichever standard Pullman car to which he was assigned. After the US became involved in World War II White House aides suggested that the President should have a custom built railroad car to afford him maximum travel protection. President Franklin Roosevelt approved of the idea after he was told this car would be used for future Presidents as well as by him.
The Ferdinand Magellan was chosen, withdrawn from general service and sent to the Pullman Company for complete rebuilding. In addition to inside changes to make the car more comfortable and roomy, the car was armor plated and bullet resistant glass installed. Two escape hatches were built into the car, one in the ceiling of the observation lounge and one on the side wall of the shower/bath in the Presidential bath in the center of the car. This rebuilt car was the heaviest passenger car in the US.
The Ferdinand Magellan is the only passenger railcar ever designated a "National Historic Monument" by the U. S. Department of the Interior, National Parks Service, in February, 1985.
I hope you have enjoyed learning a little about private train cars. If you are interested in more information, there is plenty available at our local library and on the Internet.
Sue (Riva) Eliserio '58