LIRR Bicentennial Heritage Cars


Restored/repainted former MU cars #921 and #1900 on the 2-car "Suffolk County Heritage Train" being pulled by C420 #222
short nose forward on the Montauk Cut-off at 49th Ave. in L. I. City, NY in May, 1977  Dave Keller archive

There were two (2) sets of Bicentennial Heritage Cars:
1. Suffolk County Heritage Train, ex-MU cars # 921, 1900 (photo above)
2. Nassau County Heritage Train, ex-MU cars #1632, 1391
MU Car #1632, Combine #1391-Nassau County Heritage Train - Port Washington  7/06/1976
Photo: George Votava  Archive: Dave Keller

 

 MU Car #1391 was built in 1914 as an MPB54 MU Motor/passenger/baggage.
Oyster Bay  6/04/1976 Archive: Dave Keller
  MU Combine #1391 located on display Rte.347 12/26/1988 Photo/Archive: Bill Mangahas
  Heritage Train - MU Combine #1391 at Shea Stadium 8/1982  Photo/Archive: Bill Mangahas
MU Car #1900 Heritage Train - Montauk Cut-Off 
49th Ave., LI City  5/1977 Archive: Dave Keller
MU Car #1900,  #921-Suffolk Co. Bicentennial Heritage Train - Patchogue, NY 8/17/1976 (Votava-Keller)
MU Combine #1391, Car #1632-Nassau Co. Heritage Train - Port Washington - 7/1976 Archive: Dave Keller
MU #1632 Nassau County Heritage Train on display at Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn 10/13/1978 (Madden-Keller)
 
MU Car #921, #1900  Suffolk Co. Bicentennial Heritage Train Patchogue 8/17/1976 (Votava-Keller)
lirr921_1976bicentennial.jpg (51769 bytes) Car #921 was built in 1917 as a class T54A MU trailer. In December, 1954, when the car modernization program began, 921 was rebuilt into a steam car, re-classed P54D and renumbered 7921, spending the rest of its days being pulled behind steam and diesel units. When it was repainted for the heritage train, it was given its original road number back, as was done to all the other cars.   

From the Bob Emery roster: #7921 saved for preservation and stored until 04-1976. Repainted Tuscan red with black roof and gold leaf lettering and renumbered back to 921 for use on Heritage Train from 5-1976 to 8-1976. Stored on Track 1, Flatbush, NY
lirr1398_W6mikearnold02-25-06.jpg (110873 bytes) LIRR #1398/W6 Port Jefferson Station - Terryville Chamber of Commerce- Route 112 Photo: Mike Arnold 02/25/2006   
12-07-07joetischnerportjeff.jpg (40546 bytes) LIRR #1398/W6 Port Jefferson Station - Terryville Chamber of Commerce - Route 112 Photo: Joe Tischner 12/07/07
visitorcenterLIEping.jpg (61296 bytes) Visitor Center LI Expressway, Deer Park
Shea Car Shop 7/1981 Photo/Archive: Bill Mangahas
Note: One of two MU cars restored in 1976 with Tuscan Red and black roof color scheme for the Nassau County Heritage Train.  Another two  MU cars made up a similar Suffolk County Heritage Train pulled by diesel in non-electrified territory, Info: Dave Keller

Cars #1900 and #921, non-electrified, made up the "Suffolk County Bicentennial Heritage Train" and were pulled out east by diesel. Cars #1632 and #1391, electrified, made up the "Nassau County Heritage Train."

Afterwards, #1632 went on display at one of the platforms at Flatbush Avenue Station.

After the bicentennial celebration wound down, one of the cars went to the LIE rest area in Brentwood. I believe the combine wound up at the corner of Rt. 112 and Nesconset Hwy in Port Jefferson. (Not sure if the combine was the same one or not . . . . too many years ago for my mind to be working efficiently.)   Info: Dave Keller

The ones chosen for repainting and a quick renovation were taken from the set that the Long Island- Sunrise Trail Chapter of the NRHA had chosen for preservation. They were a representative selection of the different types that were on line in the mid '70's.

Bob Sturm and Win Boerkel, former railroad officials and Chapter officers, took great pains to talk the railroad into giving those cars to the chapter to look after. Then they sought ways of keeping them around. After the exhibit was done they were moved from place to place in an effort to hide them from scrapping, much as Don Harold hid the NYTA museum cars.

The chosen cars for the Bicentennial exhibit were those in the best structural shape. The renovation consisted of painting the interior and exterior, lettering them, and cleaning the bearings so they would roll. The brakes weren't serviced so the cars had to be towed with an engine on each end and a brake hose down the middle. The seats were removed and interior lighting converted to 110 Volts.

Cars #1900 and #921, non-electrified, made up the "Suffolk County Bicentennial Heritage Train" and were pulled out east by diesel. Cars #1632 and #1391, electrified, made up the "Nassau County Heritage Train." Afterwards, #1632 went on display at one of the platforms at Flatbush Avenue Station.