New York Central
Dunkirk Harbor
In December of 1945, with the Second World War over, American railroads focused their attention on modernizing their passenger fleets. The New York Central Railroad was no exception. They placed an order with the Edward G. Budd company for 112 stainless steel cars. A large percentage of that order was sleepers.
In the spring of 1949, the Budd Company delivered a sleeper equipped with 22 roomettes to the New York Central. It was numbered 10364 and named "Dunkirk Harbor" in reference to the city of Dunkirk, NY. In 1961 the Dunkirk Harbor was rebuilt as a sleeper-coach and renumbered 10810.
The Dunkirk Harbor remained in service with the Penn Central, where it carried number 4200. The sleeper survived into the Amtrak era. Initially numbered Amtrak 2000, it was later renumbered 2052.
In 1987 the car underwent heavy overhaul, including conversion to HEP. In 1988 Amtrak began naming its cars, and at the request of the Dunkirk Historical Society, the car once again carried the name Dunkirk Harbor. It continued in service on the Lake Shore Limited, the Broadway Limited and the City of New Orleans until its retirement on May 4, 1995.
The Dunkirk Harbor was acquired from Amtrak by the Historical Society of Dunkirk in 1995 at a cost of $15,100. Renovation of the car is currently underway. Plans call for the car to be returned to its former New York Central paint scheme. When completed, the car will be placed in excursion and lease service.
