Southern Railway 3164

Journey of the Southern Railway 3164: A Heavyweight Dining Car from 1924

Constructed by the Pullman Company in 1924, the Southern Railway 3164 was a heavyweight dining car that showcased the opulence of the era. With open windows, a clerestory roof, and a mix of two-person and four-person tables adorned with ornate fixtures, it was a tribute to the style of the early 1920s.

As time passed, the car underwent modernization to keep up with changing trends and demands. The clerestory roof was replaced by a more streamlined, rounded design. Additional comforts were introduced, such as heating, air conditioning, and sealed windows. Moreover, the seating was standardized, with four-person tables now occupying the entire space.

This vintage car served prominent Southern Railway passenger trains, such as the “Carolina Special” and the “Tennessean“. However, its journey took a dramatic turn on November 11, 1958, when an accident hurled it into the Southern Railway station in Knoxville, TN. Despite the damage, the car was repaired and returned to service.

In 1970, the Southern Railway put the 3164 out of service. Nearly three decades later, in 1996, the Southern Appalachia Railway Museum acquired the car, utilizing it until 2017. Today, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) leases the car, operating it for the Dinner on the Diner service and longer voyages into Northwest Georgia.