Interesting Train Car at Grand Central

[Monty 35]

Don't know anything about it, but saw this this morning. Sorry I coudln't get any better pictures. It seemed there were people inside eating - wonder what they thought of all the people gawking at them

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[Guest]

yup, i noticed that too the past 2 or 3 weeks in a row. what was it again? track 30, i think, or around that....

there is another car right across from it as well that is somewhat unusual...its an empty car with a bunch of what looked like picnic tables set up inside, haha.

[wcr20 17]

http://www.northernsky.com/

Coincidently, I was reading an article somewhere in the last few days about renting train cars for a family or group vacation, and getting pulled around the country as part of a consist.

http://www.northernsky.com/northerndreams.html

relates to the car in the pictures.

[Monty 35]

Cool, thanks for the info. Yeah around track 30 or so - and I noticed it wasn't connected to anything but had other cars behind it on the track.

Looking at the web site, seems like it is a long way from home!

Wonder how much it would be to take it on a run around here somewhere

[grumpyff 1,159]

yup, i noticed that too the past 2 or 3 weeks  in a row.  what was it again? track 30, i think, or around that....

there is another car right across from it as well that is somewhat unusual...its an empty car with a bunch of what looked like picnic tables set up inside, haha.

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That would be Metro North's Inspection Train, used for executives to examine the roadbeds/property.

[Guest]

Northern Dreams is chartered by a family from Chicago. From what I read, they do this every year. The rail car is moved from Chicago through Buffalo, Syracuse, Albany and down the hudson by Amtrak to either the Harmon Yards or Highbridge yards where a MNRR work diesel (GP-35r) pushes it into Grand Central. It sits at the back of the track, gets "shore" power and the family uses it like a personal hotel on wheels, basically. Due to many Grand Central platforms being long enough for 16-20 cars, the railroad can put that one car there and still use the platform for regular revenue trains.

Cost includes ALL arrangements and movements by the different railroads and a personal attendant/chef. Total runs somewhere in the $6,000 a day area. More or less.

[Monty 35]

Maybe I'll pass on taking it out for a jolly then. Rather buy a fire truck for that money