AWARDED TO DCNRHS FOR DOVER HARBOR DINING IN PULLMAN COMFORT PROJECT
Washington, DC: DCNRHS is pleased to announce that it is the recipient of a 2025 grant from the John H. Emery Rail Heritage Trust. The $8,800.00 award will help fund work on the historic Pullman rail car, DOVER HARBOR, to rebuild and reupholster the banquette seats in the car’s lounge.
The Pullman Company was principally concerned with providing excellent accommodations for their passengers. Dover Harbor’s banquette tables provide for the essential rail travel experience of dining while enroute. As part of a Dover Harbor trip, passengers are served chef-prepared meals, seated at the three, four-seat tables. The cushioned seats and backs for these tables were rehabilitated and reupholstered in the mid-1980’s during the original refurbishment of the car. They have seen many passenger-miles service in trips and charters since and now need rebuilding/reupholstery. Recent historical research, including the acquisition of an authentic original Pullman upholstery fabric sample, will guide this project to bring these seats to a closer interpretation and more comfortable condition. As part of the process, the seat frames will be assessed and repaired/refinished as necessary. The estimated cost for this project is $17,900.00; tax-deductible contributions in support of this project may be made to DCNRHS and will be gratefully accepted. This work will be conducted this year as operations permit, in addition to regular ongoing maintenance of the car.
The John H. Emery Rail Heritage Trust was created by Mr. John Emery, a native of Chicago, to support Mr. Emery’s interest in passenger trains of the 1920’s to 1950’s. Grants are awarded each year for projects that emphasize and support the preservation and restoration of operating passenger rail equipment from the “Golden Age” of U.S. rail service. For more information on the Emery Rail Heritage Trust and Mr. Emery, please see their website at https://emeryrailheritagetrust.org/WP/.
About Dover Harbor
Dover Harbor is a classic heavyweight Pullman built railroad passenger car that has a 24-seat lounge, a buffet (kitchen), and six double-bedrooms. Built in 1923, it was once part of a fleet of over 8,800 Pullman cars. The car was operated by the Pullman Company in first class service on name trains of the Pennsylvania and New York Central Railroads across the Northeastern United States. Today, Dover Harbor is the last Pullman built heavyweight revenue car in its original configuration traveling the mainlines of America. The car, which has been operated by DCNRHS in public trips and in charter service since 1982, is certified for operation up to 110 mph anywhere in the Amtrak System. Dover Harbor is lovingly maintained by the volunteer members of DCNRHS who operate it to give the public an opportunity to experience First-Class mainline rail travel from the golden age of railroading. Trip revenue goes back into the car to keep it running. More information about Dover Harbor is available at http://www.doverharbor.com.
About DCNRHS
The National Railway Historical Society, Washington, D.C. Chapter, Inc. or DCNRHS is a not-for-profit 501c(3) educational organization. Chartered in the District of Columbia in 1944, DCNRHS’ mission is to “Expand the public appreciation of railroads and their history through preservation and education.” More information about DCNRHS, including our trips, activities, railcars, projects, and community service efforts, is available at https://www.dcnrhs.org.
Contact Information
To learn more about this project or our organization, please contact us:
www.dcnrhs.org
202-627-2978 or info@dcnrhs.org
DCNRHS
500 G St.
NW Washington, DC 20005-3136
Press Release POC: Kevin J. Tankersley, Project Manager
Figure 3: Dover Harbor Pullman Car, photo by Kevin J. Tankersley