Car OneCar ONE

"Private Varnish"

In the last half of the nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth, as the size, wealth and mobility of America’s population increased rapidly, railroads became the preferred means of overland travel. In response to competitive pressures and to meet the needs of railroad patrons, passenger coaches diversified to include a wide variety of sleeping, dining, lounge and observation cars. Corporate pride and competition for riders led railroad companies to demand even more elaborate cars from manufacturers. Manufacturers responded with an abundance of decorative metal, stone and especially polished wood. So much of the latter was added that, in the jargon of the men who built, maintained, and operated them, these cars came to be known collectively as "varnishes." The most luxurious and specialized of these cars, the traveling homes and offices away from home for executives, politicians and entertainers, became known as "private varnishes" or simply as "P.V.s."

Car ONE

Car ONE dining area In 1919 American Car & Foundry Company constructed just such a private varnish and christened it the Berwick after the city in Pennsylvania where it was built. In 1936 the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad Company purchased the Berwick from AC&F for use as a business car by its executives and their guests, renaming it Car ONE (pronounced car oh-en-ee). Over its years of service from 1936 through 1991 Car ONE provided for comfortable business travel by RF&P executives, transported senior engineers on twice-yearly track inspections, and was used to entertain railroad clients, visiting dignitaries, and governmental officials. Of particular note were Car ONE "football specials," excursions for railroad officers and their guests from Richmond to see Redskins football games in Washington, D.C. When not on the road, Car ONE typically resided on Track Zero at Broad Street Station or at the RF&P maintenance facility at the nearby Acca Yard.

Befitting the conservative and professional image of RF&P, Car ONE was comfortably but modestly appointed as compared to the P.V.s of many movie stars, literary giants, and industrial titans of the 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s. The car featured a rear platform which doubled as a speaker’s rostrum for whistle-stops, an adjacent observation room suitable for relaxed traveling or business entertaining, four bedrooms with private toilets and wash stands, a bathroom and separate shower, a modest kitchen with porter’s quarters, and a dining room which also served as a traveling office or boardroom. Modifications to the car over the years have been minimal. When purchased by RF&P, Car ONE featured an ice-activated cooling system and was powered by Edison storage batteries charged externally or by an onboard generator. In 1937 the car’s radio was upgraded and in 1940 the ice storage capacity of its cooling system was enlarged. Changing lifestyles and improved technology led to the installation of more batteries, a larger generator and a modern air-conditioning system in 1947. A major renovation of Car ONE in 1981 and 1982 led to enlargement of the car’s dining room, upgrading of the car’s electrical system, elimination of its onboard batteries and generator, and the requirement for an external power source for its heating, cooling, and electrical needs. Initially this need was met by the use of a locomotive capable of providing an outside steam and electrical supply, but before too long a more economical and efficient source of power was provided.

The Power Car

In 1983 a retired but still track-worthy car with a long history on the RF&P was restored to service and equipped to provide support to Car ONE, in particular to provide an external source of steam for its heating system and electrical power for its air-conditioning and power needs. Originally built by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation and purchased by RF&P in 1925 as Passenger Coach #92, then renumbered #531 in the 1930s and modernized and air-conditioned in the 1940s, this car was retired from passenger service in 1967. Rebuilt and renumbered again as Kitchen-Diner-Sleeper #201, the car provided meals and beds for railroad workers clearing train wrecks from 1967 until its second retirement in 1982. Renumbered yet again as Kitchen Car #20, this veteran was remodeled and re-equipped in 1983 to serve as a power source and traveling companion for Car ONE until the final retirement of both cars in 1991.

Return to Broad Street Station

In 1991 the RF&P Corporation was divided into two halves. The railroad operation became part of the CSX system and ownership of the remaining real estate and other property — including Car ONE and Kitchen Car #20 — passed to the Virginia Retirement System, a major RF&P stockholder. In 1996 the VRS sold the Kitchen Car to a private collector. On March 5, 1998, the Virginia General Assembly approved legislation to transfer ownership of Car ONE from the Virginia Retirement System to the Science Museum of Virginia, shortly thereafter the Science Museum’s Foundation purchased the Kitchen Car. On Friday, July 31, 1998, the two cars returned along the recently restored Track One to their former home, RF&P’s Broad Street Station, now the headquarters of the Science Museum.

Car Facts

Car ONE

Kitchen Car #20

All Aboard!

If you are interested in making a contribution to the Science Museum, please call the Science Museum of Virginia Foundation executive director at (804) 864-1541.

© 1995-2008 Science Museum of Virginia | 2500 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23220-2057 | 804-864-1400
Your Privacy | Our Mission | Contact Us | Search