Southern Railway 1000

This heavyweight coach was built in 1925 by the Pullman Company for the Southern Railway, originally numbered 1653. It was built with adjustable windows that could be opened, 72 walkover seats, and a clerestory roof. However, the Southern Railway had the car rebuilt in 1940 at their Hayne Shops, sealing the windows, adding air conditioning, replacing the 72 walkover seats with 46 standard coach seats, adding large washroom lounges, adding a porter’s baggage area, and removing the clerestory roof in favor of an arch roof. It was during the modernization that the car was renumbered 1000. After the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum acquired the coach in 1968, the air conditioning systems were deactivated, and the windows were reopened to allow for a true 1920’s experience. Today, the 1000 is popular among passengers, allowing them to open the windows to enjoy the breeze, listen to the sounds of the locomotives, and listen to the sounds of wheels on jointed rail.