The Norfolk & Western Business Car 300 Preservation Society has reunited its two passenger cars on the Hoosier Valley Railroad in Indiana. It’s the first time the two cars, office car 300 and sleeping car Hollins College, have been together in nearly 40 years.

Both cars were once part of the N&W business train fleet. Car 300, built by Pullman in 1917, was acquired by the Norfolk & Western Business Car 300 Preservation Society in 2020 and restored to service a few years later. Most recently, it has been used on the Indiana Rail Experience excursions on the Indiana Northeastern. After the successful restoration of 300, the group set its sights on Hollins College. The car was built in January 1950 for the Wabash Railroad. It joined the N&W fleet in 1964 and was later assigned to the railroad’s business train in 1972. It eventually ended up on the Morristown & Erie. After the nonprofit acquired the car, it was moved to the Hoosier Valley for a restoration that is now underway.

N&W 300 on its way to the Hoosier Valley Railroad. Photo Courtesy of the Norfolk & Western Business Car 300 Preservation Society.

Earlier this year, the group decided to reunite its two cars. N&W 300 was moved by Indiana Northeastern, Norfolk Southern, and Chesapeake & Indiana before arriving at the Hoosier Valley this week. The car will be used in excursion service at the museum and will make its operating debut on July 10 during the Civilians and Soldiers in History Day. Tickets to ride the car will be $35 per person and will be available this Friday on the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum website.

For more information and to learn how to help, visit nw300.org.

—Justin Franz