Rock Island

The streamlined observation car now painted and lettered as New York Central equipment is actually Chicago Rock Island and Pacific Railroad Observation Car number 454, the Minnesota. The Minnesota was built in 1937 by the Budd Company; it was one of six twenty-eight-seat combined coach, lounge, and observation cars ordered by the Rock Island for their new Streamline Rocket passenger trains. Minnesota was frequently used on the Kansas City rocket from Minneapolis to Kansas City. The Rock Island converted this car into an instruction car for employees in 1965. It was later acquired by the previous private owner on the property that became the National New York Central Railroad Museum and used by a restaurant that operated here.