Pullman Private Car: Robert Peary
Posted by: 
brwhiz
N 32° 37.084 W 116° 28.168
11S E 549772 N 3609071
This interpretive sign describes the history of the Railway Post Office Car #74 at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo.
Waymark Code: WMJJAF
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 11/23/2013
Views: 1
Pullman Private Car: Robert Peary
In 1927, the Pullman Company created six modern, heavyweight, and expensive cars in the Explorer series for private service. The most famous of the six is the "Ferdinand Magellan, which was used as the official Presidential car by Franklin D. Roosevelt after armor was added and the aisles widened to accommodate his wheelchair. Robert Peary was next, and carried the president 34 times during 1934-36. Other famous passengers included Harry S. Truman, Lily Pons, Nelson Eddy, and Jeaneete MacDonald.
This steel heavyweight has a galley, stewards' quarters, a conference/dining room, four (originally five) staterooms, a shower, solarium-lounge, and open observation platform. Note the thick steel frame, six-wheel trucks, and extra springs for its 98 tons.
This car was later used on the CB&Q Railroad as a business car with the name Blackhawk In 1966 the venerable car was purchased for private use by PSRMA Charter Member Jack Stodelle and three partners, who decorated the interior in Victorian style. It was renamed Victoria and used as a party car. It was generously donated to PSRMA in 1974, and since then has been used on Amtrak excursions, as part of a Bicentennial exhibit on Harbor Drive in San Diego, and in 1976 in the filming of "MacArthur" with Gregory Peck.
Built by: The Pullman Car & Mfg. Corp., Pullman, IL.
Date: July 1927
Retired Date: 1966
Plan: 3972
Lot: 6037
Length: 83' 5-3/4"
Width: 10'
Height: 14' 1/4"
Weight: 196,000 lb.
Bedrooms: 5
Dining Room: Seats 8-10
Air Conditioned, Full Kitchen
Two Crew berths w/shower