New Passenger Car Fleet Under Construction!

     The Big South Fork Scenic Railway is undergoing a complete conversion of its existing passenger car fleet as well as adding two new cars.  In January 2003, two  flat cars, IHB 2016 and IHB 2096, were purchased from the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad.  These 53 1/2' flatcar frames will be used to construct two additional cars for the BSFSRy fleet.  The railroad must construct its own cars due to clearance restrictions in the curved 265' tunnel on the line. 
     One of the existing open canopy cars, #1005, has been stripped and rebuilt into the new enclosed car design and was the test prototype for the new fleet.  Canopy car #1003 has similarly been converted.  New car #1006 entered service late August, 2003 and new car #1007 entered service in June 2004. 
     When the car build/conversion is complete, the Big South Fork Scenic Railway will have 7 passenger cars in its fleet.  Two of these new cars will have windows that can be closed in inclement or cold weather.  Two cars will have similar bodies, but will be an open car design, and the remaining three will be modified with new roof and side panels.    Handicapped access is also improved.
     
 

First Prototype Car #1005 under construction, March 2003
 
 

Car #1005 on dedication day, May 22, 2003
 
 

Interior view of car #1005, May 22, 2003
 
 
 

Dedication of car to Dr. Frank C. Thomas, May 22, 2003

J.C. Egnew (l), McCreary Co. Heritage Foundation Board Member and President of Outdoor Venture Corp., presents the dedication plaque for the new car to recipient Dr. Frank C. Thomas

Dr. Thomas was President of the Stearns Coal & Lumber Co. 1962-1976 & 1978-1987

Vice President of the Stearns Coal & Lumber Co. 1958-1962 and
Vice President of the Kentucky & Tennessee Railroad, 1962-1981
 

Ex-NYC, ex-Indiana Harbor Belt RR #2016 undergoing conversion to K&T Rwy. #1006 February 2003
 
 

Car #1006 framed up April 2003
 
 

Car #1006 on test run August 26 just prior to it's first day of service on August 30, 2003
 
 

Ex-NYC, ex-Indiana Harbor Belt RR #2096 undergoing conversion to K&T Rwy. #1007 June 2003
 

Welder-machinist Paul Anderson prepares the frame of #1003 for its new body on August 26, 2003

Car #1003 framed and under roof on September 18, 2003
 
 

Four of the completed new cars at Blue Heron on August 22, 2004