Group Working To Restore Classic Railroad Car

The dream of a group of local volunteers is to restore an aging piece of railroad history as close as possible to its original luster.  News On 6 Rick Wells reports the group has their work cut out.  In its hay day from 1930 to the mid 1950s the Pullman-built Murray Hill Solarium lounge car carried passengers in style.

"It has 6 sleeping type rooms, a galley, a lounge, and even a sun room," said railroad enthusiast Mike Massey.

Massey is part of the group that is working to get this old relic back in shape.

Massey says he was born into a railroad family.  This isn't his first project.  He is one of many volunteers restoring the old Frisco 4500 steam engine.  At one time it was at the Tulsa Zoo, then in Owasso.  They are waiting to move it into a new park on Southwest Boulevard.

Another car is set to be the next project.

"The rooms are really fascinating," said Massey.

Each one had a couch that converted to a bed and a versatile chair.

"You fold the back down you got a sink," said Massey.

The group has applied for a grant.  The grant plus donated labor and some materials has them believing they can get it done.

Only four of the Pullman Solarium cars are known to exist in any condition.

The plan is to move this one to the Southwest Boulevard park site when it is ready.