L&N Presidential Car #353

Railroad historians are in agreement that this car is the oldest surviving passenger car manufactured by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. The car was built at the South Louisville Shops in 1911. It is made of wood and in 1942 was rebuilt by adding steel exterior sheeting and an ACF ice-activated air conditioning system.

Business cars were assigned to the President and other high ranking officials of the company. At the time this car was constructed, Milton Hannibal Smith was president of the L & N. It is most likely business car number 353 was assigned to Smith until his death. The car was then assigned to a lesser official such as a division superintendent.

Observation car #353 is 76' 7" long with a 12' 6" observation platform. There are two state room sleeping compartments with a shared bath room. There is a beautiful dining room measuring 13' long that also includes a wooden secretary, dining table and breakfront. All of the furnishings remain in the car in remarkable condition. Also, there are two folding beds in the dining room that could be lowered where the dining room table is for additional accommodations. In the rear of the car there is steward quarters and a full kitchen. The kitchen is of stainless steel and a modern stove was added at some time. The car was the best appointed car on the L & N roster until 1922.

Incidentally, local rumor has it that Smith became embroiled in controversy with the citizens of Bowling Green that he came to Bowling Green to discuss unspecified issues and was arrested and jailed. In addition to relocating the railroad maintenance shops from Bowling Green to Paris, Tennessee, he declared that nothing new would be built by the L & N in Bowling Green as long as he was President.  The city had been lobbying for a much needed new passenger terminal building since 1901, even resorting to litigation to force the issue.  Smith died in 1921 and Bowling Green finally got its new passenger depot in 1925.

This car is a must see for railroad aficionados.