The Georgia 300

[El Supremo]

The Georgia 300 (Photos)<1> is a privately-owned railroad car, owned by John H. “Jack” Heard, used by President-elect Barack Obama on his journey from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C., for his inauguration in January of 2009.<2>

According to The Baltimore Sun, the “Georgia 300, is a classic looking heavyweight observation car from the golden era of rail travel that was built by the Pullman Standard Co. shops in 1930.”<2> Sporting a Packard blue with white striping livery, the train car operated as a lounge car named the General Polk on the Southern Railways' Crescent Limited line until its retirement in 1982.<2> Mr. Heard, who owns a rail yard in Orange Park, Florida, purchased the car in 1985 and made a series of four refurbishments between 1986 and 2000.<2> The car has a dining room, an observation room, one master bedroom, two additional bedrooms and two showers, according to presidential rail historian, Bob Withers, who authored "The President Travels by Train: Politics and Pullmans."<2>

The inaugural “Whistle Stop Tour” train is composed of four Amtrak passenger cars (of which two are food service cars) and two locomotives. The Georgia 300 has hosted/carried Presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton.<2> Also, in 2004, presidential candidates John F. Kerry and running mate Sen. John Edwards, traveled aboard the car from St. Louis to Kingman, Ariz., following the Democratic Convention in Boston.<2>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_300

[underpants]

1. About 12 years ago or so I was told that this was a trend among some well to do travelers

custom rail cars that they can relax and enjoy the ride as they go anywhere the rail lines can take them.

:shrug:

I would suspect that it is a niche thing and I have no idea how prevalent it is.

Seems like a nice way to go.

[Historic NY]

3. check this link its about private cars.

http://www.trainweb.com/travelogues/rayburns/2002j17f.html

[underpants]

4. That is what I was talking about

looks like a great time

thanks

[tularetom]

2. I thought it was some new NASCAR event

:shrug: