New Haven 8600 Series Coaches

Operational History

NH RR Coach #8673 - Penn Central #2569 - MBTA #2569 NH RR Coach #8695 - Penn Central #2591 - MBTA #2591 These stainless steel coaches were built by Pullman Standard in 1947-1948. They had a seating capacity of 64 in the coach section and 14 in the smoking compartment. They were delivered with a Hunter Green roof and side window bands. During the 1950's, they were repainted with black roofs and orange window bands.

In constructing these coaches, the stainless steel fluting was welded to the Cor-Ten steel exterior sidewall. Unfortunately, water would become trapped behind the stainless steel, causing the Cor-Ten wall to rust. No effective way could be found to resolve this problem.

The coaches were sent to the MBTA in Massachusetts and retired in 1987. They were leased to the Cape Cod Railroad in 1988 and returned to the MBTA in 1989.

Museum History

They were sold to the Railroad Museum of New England in 1989. They were subsequently donated to the museum and delivered in December 1997.