Railcar Fleet

Each Budd-built railcar in our fleet has a rich and unique history. Learn more about them here!

Active Fleet

Stampede Pass - PAXX 800290 (ex-CB&Q 558)

Built as dome-coach #558 by the Budd Company in 1954 for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy for service on the Northern Pacific’s premier train, the Chicago-to-Seattle North Coast Limited, which the Northern Pacific operated in partnership with the CB&Q. It operated throughout the country in Amtrak service from 1971-1995 before it was sold into private ownership. The car was briefly leased to the Grand Canyon Railway, where it bore the name Kokopelli. After the expiration of the Grand Canyon Railway lease, it operated in excursion and charter service out of Cincinnati for over a decade under the name Observatory. In the late 1990s, the car was converted from a dome-coach to a dome-sleeper, with the addition of three bedrooms, a galley, and a lounge seating area. Paxrail acquired the car in 2015 and named it Stampede Pass. It features dome seating for 24 passengers, as well as seating in six four-top tables in the dome, 8 booth seats, and 11 leather seats in the cherry-paneled long lounge, and a full galley. The car can accommodate four overnight guests as well as one staff member. Under the dome is a public lavatory as well as a crew / storeroom. Rooms B and C feature double size beds. Based in Cumberland, Maryland, Stampede Pass is fully Amtrak-certified and is available for charter service nationwide.

Bozeman Pass - PAXX 557 (ex-CB&Q 557)

Sister car to the Stampede Pass, this Budd-built car was one of two CB&Q pool domes built in 1954, and plied its trade first on the Northern Pacific’s North Coast Limited and then later on Amtrak. Bought by a private owner in the mid-1990s, the 557 was part of a large collection of NP cars belonging to the late Mike Gelhaus of Spokane, Washington. Paxrail purchased this car in 2016 after Mike's passing and prepped it for movement east. Now named the Bozeman Pass, it resides at Crossroads Railcar Services pending restoration.

Durham - PAXX 5513 (ex-RBBX 41312 / UP 5513)

Originally built in 1961 as a 44 seat coach for service on the Union Pacific “City of” streamliners by the Budd Company as UP 5513. In 1971 the car was conveyed to Amtrak as No. 4445. With the upgrade to head end power, the car was renumbered 4642. The car was acquired in 1994 by Ringling and operated in the Blue Unit. Paxrail purchased the car in 2017, named it Durham, and numbered it PAXX 5513.

Glenview - PAXX 5526 (ex-RBBX 41313 / UP 5526)

Originally built in 1961 as a 44 seat coach for service on the Union Pacific “City of” streamliners by the Budd Company as UP 5526. In 1971 the car was conveyed to Amtrak as No. 4445. With the upgrade to head end power, the car was renumbered 4642. The car was acquired in 1994 by Ringling and operated in the Blue Unit. Paxrail purchased the car in 2017, named it Glenview, and numbered it PAXX 5526.

Miami - PAXX 305 (ex-SLRG 305 / CB&Q 305)

Dome car, built as Northern Pacific 305, to Amtrak 9210. Sold in 1994 and through various owners, joined the fleet of Iowa Pacific Holdings. Acquired from the IPH bankruptcy trustee in 2022.

Chicago - PAXX 312 (ex-NP 312)

Dome-sleeper built by Budd in November 1954 as Northern Pacific 312. Renumbered NP 378 (1967), to BN 453 (not applied) in 1970, to Amtrak 9223 in 1971, resold to Dirk Lenthe in May 1993, resold to Lon Orlenko/Monad Rail Equipment (1994), resold to Virginia City Rail Corp. and renamed Theodore D. Judah. Later sold through various owners to Iowa Pacific Holdings as North Coast. Acquired from the IPH bankruptcy trustee in 2022.

Dustoff - PAXX 2374 (ex-AMTK 1751 / SP 2374)

Built by Budd as a 44 seat coach for Southern Pacific Lines in 1954 and numbered 2374. Conveyed to Amtrak in 1971 and numbered 4437. Converted to Head-End Power from Steam Heat in October 1980 and renumbered 4003. Converted to a baggage car in December 1996 and renumbered 1722. Renumbered 1751 in April 2000 when set up to haul U.S. Mail only. Acquired from Amtrak in 2023.

PAXX 7000

Cumberland - PAXX 7700 (ex-PPCX 2096 / B&O 7700)

Built by the Budd company as Baltimore & Ohio 7700 in February 1958 as a 24 single room, 8 double room “Slumbercoach” sleeper named Slumberland. It became Amtrak 2096 and eventually became American Freedom Train / High Iron 7700.

Alumni Fleet

Paxrail has proudly helped to preserve a number of other fine railcars. Below are some of our alumni.

Homestake Pass (ex-PAXX 550 / NP 550)

A sister car to the Stampede Pass, it was built as dome-coach #550 by the Budd Company in 1954. Owned by the Northern Pacific Railway, it ran on the North Coast Limited until it was acquired by Amtrak in 1971. It was sold into private ownership in 1995 as Amtrak divested itself of its heritage fleet. The car ran on the American Orient Express in the late-1990s and into the 2000s as the American Spirit before being leased to the Alaska Railroad, where it ran from 2005-2007. The car ran in a variety of excursion service from 2007-2014 before being acquired by Paxrail in 2016 and named Homestake Pass. The car features 66 coach seats, 24 of which are dome seats. Homestake Pass now shines the rails at the French Lick Scenic Railway in French Lick, Indiana. For current status of this car, visit our friends at frenchlickscenicrailway.org.

Warriors Rest (ex-PAXX 800644 / PRR)

Built in 1952 for the Pennsylvania Railroad’s Congressional between New York and Washington as the parlor car Henry Hudson. It was acquired by Amtrak in 1971 and converted to a buffet/table car in 1986. After being sold by Amtrak, the car ran in charter service through Mid-America Railcar, wearing the names Henry Hudson and Keystone Grill. Paxrail acquired the car in October 2013 and renamed it Warriors Rest in honor of its former and then-current owners, both retired US military officers. Configured as a buffet-diner, the Warriors Rest featured booth seating for 32 as well as a full length serving buffet, steam table, microwave, freezer, ovens, and extensive refrigeration and storage space. This car now is located in St. Paul, Minnesota, and is owned by the Friends of Milwaukee 261 .

Ocean View (ex-PAXX 1391 / AMTK 10031 / GN 1391)

Acquired by Paxrail in 2020, sold to Rail Excursion Management Company (RailExCo) in late 2022. Later sold by RailExCo, in 2023 the car wears Canadian National colors.

RPCX 1720 (ex-PAXX 1493 / RBBX 41310 / N&W Pulaski County)

Originally built in 1950 as Norfolk & Western Pulaski County, a 10 Roomette – 6 Double Bedroom Sleeper. The car was used for the overnight Pocahontas (Norfolk-Columbus). The car was conveyed sometime in the 1950s to the Pennsylvania Railroad who converted it to a 72 Seat Coach to supplement capacity for the 1964 World’s Fair. After 1971, it was used in the Penn Central and then sold to New Jersey Transit for commuter train service. The car was again sold in 1989 to the United Railroad Historical Society until it was acquired by Ringling in 1992. Used in the Blue Unit. Purchased by Paxrail in 2017, the housing interior was removed in 2018. Sold in 2019 to the French Lick Scenic Railroad and rebuilt into an ADA-complaint dining car. Delivered to FLSR painted in NP North Coast Limited colors to match the French Lick consist. For current status of this car, visit our friends at frenchlickscenicrailway.org.

History: now RPCX 1720, ex-PAXX 1493 (never applied) Pulaski County, exx-RBBX 41310, exxx-URHS, exxxx-NJT 5402, exxxxx-PC 3235, exxxxxx-PRR 1493, nee-N&W Pulaski County

Anderson Inn - PAXX 8242 (ex-RBBX 41309** / PRR 8242)

This car was originally built by the Budd Company in 1949 for the Pennsylvania Railroad “Fleet of Modernism” as a 21 roomette sleeper named Anderson Inn and numbered PRR 8242. The car was rebuilt in 1963 as a 64-seat coach, 12-seat smoker and numbered 1541 for service for the 1964 Worlds Fair. The car then went to serve for the Penn Central as PC 1541, and later to New Jersey Transit as NJTR 5416 until 1989. Upon retirement from commuter service, the car was sold to the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey and subsequently acquired in 1992 by Ringling. It served in the RBBX Blue Unit configured as a kitchen/lounge with 5 bedrooms. Acquired in 2017 by Paxrail and renamed Anderson Inn. Sold to North Star Rail in 2021.

**Historical note: On-line sources identify this car RBBX 41301 as the Anderson Inn and RBBX 41309 as the Duke University; however, during the refurbishment of RBBX 41301, the structural window pattern under the windowband installed by the circus revealed a mismatched window pattern consistent with an N&W 10-6 sleeper and not a PRR 21-roomette. Additional evidence to suggest the numbering error includes the smaller roof fluting of the PRR cars which extends to the top of windows is present on this car. The N&W car has a letterboard above the windows which we replaced during refurbishment. Therefore, we believe this car to be the original PRR Anderson Inn.

Bay Pines - PAXX 50 (ex-RBBX 41403 / SAL 50)

Seaboard Airline’s car 50, the Bay Pines, 41403 was another acquisition from Auto-Train. This car joined the circus roster in 1982. Paxrail purchased the car in 2017, renamed it Bay Pines, and numbered it PAXX 50. Sold to North Star Rail in 2021.

Thunder - PAXX 5758 (ex-RBBX 63005 / UP 5758)

Built by the Saint Louis Car Company in 1962 for the Union Pacific Railroad. Ringling acquired the car in 1994 and added a 480 HEP generator and a porter shop complete with washing machine. Refurbished by Paxrail and sold to US Sugar in 2023.

Lightning - PAXX 5776 (ex-RBBX 63008 / UP 5776)

Originally Union Pacific baggage car 5776, this was one of two RBBB power cars in the Paxrail collection. Refurbished by Paxrail and sold to Rail Excursion Management Company (RailExCo) in 2023.

Coatesville Inn - PAXX 8253 (ex-RBBX 41303 / PRR 8253)

Built in 1949 by the Budd Company for the Pennsylvania Railroad as the Coatesville Inn. The car was acquired in 1992 by Ringling for the Blue Unit. Acquired in 2017 by Paxrail.

Elmira Inn - PAXX 8257 (ex-RBBX 41304 / PRR 8257)

Built in 1949 by the Budd Company for the Pennsylvania Railroad’s fleet of Streamliners in the “Fleet of Modernism” as a 21-roomette sleeper named Elmira Inn. Converted in 1963 as a 72-seat coach for Worlds Fair service, it later went to the Penn Central and then New Jersey Transit. The car was retired in 1989 and sold to the United Railroad Historical Society. Ringling purchased it for use on the Blue Train in 1991. The car was used exclusively by the Torres Family Globe of Steel riders. Purchased by Paxrail in 2017, the car was renamed the Elmira Inn and numbered PAXX 8257.

Kane Inn - PAXX 8265 (ex-RBBX 41306 / PRR 8265)

Originally built in 1949 by the Budd Company as a 21-roomette sleeper for the Pennsylvania Railroad’s “Fleet of Modernism” as Kane Inn and numbered 8265. In 1950 it was renamed Cincinnati Inn by the railroad. In 1963, it was converted into a 72-seat coach numbered 1522 for World’s Fair service. The car later went to serve with the Penn Central and later the New Jersey Transit. The car was renamed by BWRL after its retirement with the United Railroad Historical Society as the Mount Holly Inn. The car was acquired by Ringling for the Red Unit in 1992. Purchased by Paxrail in 2017, the car was renamed Kane Inn and numbered PAXX 8265.

Lima Inn - PAXX 8263 (ex-RBBX 41308 / PRR 8268)

Originally built in 1949 by the Budd Company for the Pennsylvania Railroad’s “Fleet of Modernism” streamliners as a 21-roomette sleeper as the Lima Inn numbered 8268. In 1957 it was renamed John Pitcairn who was a Scottish Major who fought in the Revolutionary War. The car was rebuilt in 1963 into a 72-seat coach to supplement the railroad’s World’s Fair capacity as car 1512. The car then went to serve with Penn Central and later New Jersey Transit before being sold to the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey in 1989. Ringling bought the car in 1992 for use in the Blue Unit. Paxrail purchased the car in 2017. It was renamed Lima Inn and numbered PAXX 8268.

Duke University - PAXX 1497 (ex-RBBX 41301** / N&W 1497)

Originally built in 1950 as Norfolk & Western Duke University, a 10 Roomette – 6 Double Bedroom Sleeper. Sold to various railroads and then to the circus. Acquired by Paxrail in 2017 and renamed Duke University.

**Historical note: On-line sources identify this car RBBX 41309 as the Duke University and RBBX 41301 as the Anderson Inn; however, during refurbishment, the structural window pattern under the windowband installed by the circus revealed a mismatched window pattern consistent with an N&W 10-6 sleeper and not a PRR 21-roomette. Additional evidence to suggest the numbering error includes the smaller roof fluting of the PRR cars which extends to the top of windows is not present on this car. This car has a letterboard above the windows which we replaced during refurbishment. Therefore, we believe this car to be the original N&W Duke University.

Greensburg Inn** - PAXX 8260 (ex-RBBX 41316 / PRR 8260)

**The history of this car is under investigation. What follows is what is publicly available, but we have evidence that the original car bearing this name belongs to another organization. We are working to determine the true story behind this railcar:

Originally built in 1950 by the Budd Company for the Pennsylvania Railroad’s “Fleet of Modernism” as a 21-roomette sleeper named Greensburg Inn numbered 8260. The Pennsylvania rebuilt the car into a 72-seat coach to supplement coach travel to the 1964 World’s Fair in New York as car number 1540. The car then went on to serve on New Jersey Transit and Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) Train Service. After being retired in 1989 by MARC, it went to the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey until acquired by the circus in 2003. It served in Ringling’s Blue Unit Train. Paxrail purchased the car in 2017, renamed it Greensburg Inn, and numbered it PAXX 8260.

Uniontown Inn** - PAXX 8288 (ex-RBBX 41317 / PRR 8288)

Originally built in 1949 by Budd as the Pennsylvania’s Uniontown Inn, this car went to Penn Central, and eventually MARC before joining the RBBB train in the early 2000s. Paxrail purchased the car in 2017, renamed it Uniontown Inn, and numbered it PAXX 8288.

**Historical note: On-line sources identify this car as Sunbury Inn; however, we have written evidence that records the Sunbury Inn as scrapped in 1991. Further, a book on Budd cars identifies the Uniontown Inn as scrapped in the ‘60’s, but we have written evidence to suggest that it survived and was later sold to Ringling. We elected to rename the car Uniontown Inn to honor the written evidence as well as the mother of the founder of Paxrail who was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania.

Cedartown - PAXX 55 (ex-RBBX 41405 / SAL 55)

This was originally Seaboard Air Line 55, Cedartown. Budd-built in 1955, it eventually found its way to Auto-Train, before arriving on RBBB’s roster in 1982. Paxrail purchased the car in 2017, renamed it Cedartown, and numbered it PAXX 55.