The Good Vibrations arrived in Ridgeley in November 2023 after being donated by KC and Carol Smith. The car was completely restored within a year, and it is scheduled to start operating on our rails on August 17, 2024. The Good Vibrations will be featured on many of our signature experiences including the Craft Beer Limited trains.

The car was a featured 'First Class' coach on the “Iron Horse Rambles” during the late 1990s and pulled by the famous Chesapeake & Ohio #614. The Good Vibrations has traveled with several railroads, including the Delaware and Hudson, New York, Susquehanna and Western, Norfolk Southern, CSX Transportation, Toledo, Peoria and Western, Canadian Pacific, and others.

History of Good Vibrations

Overview of 1992 Restoration

The "Good Vibrations" started its railroad career as a 123-seat commuter passenger coach built by the Pullman Company at Worcester, Massachusetts in 1955 for the Long Island Railroad as #2618. It was originally built as an electric trailer car with motors in the trucks that drew power from the LIRR's third-rail system. In 1975, the LIRR converted the car into a push-pull car by removing the motors and third-rail pick-up system, and adding head end power. At that time, its number was also changed to 2786. From that date forward, the car would be pulled by diesels. During this time they also changed the passenger seats from the "walk-over" type to stationary fiberglass and vinyl padded seats. In keeping with the fashion of the 1970s, carpeting was added to the walls from the window line to the ceiling.

The car ran another 15 years in LIRR service. In 1991, the car was purchased by its current owners, Railfan Tours Inc., and went through another transformation. The coach's interior was stripped and replaced with the following as a galley (kitchen) prep area: sink, refrigerator - freezer - convection oven, microwave. The galley, complete with an 8-foot countertop and modern storage cabinets, is used for preparing light snacks and beverages. A custom, hand-made 12-foot wood bar was constructed just outside of the galley prep area. The bar has been used for serving a wide range of guests, from fine wine during "Murder Mystery" adventures, to that quintessential American favorite, hot dogs, during a visit from Santa Claus! The seating in the car was changed from the 3-and-2 arrangement to comfy sofas and chairs that you might see in someone's living room; this living room, however, seats 24! Passengers can observe beautiful scenery through one of the 24 safety-glass windows that replaced plastic panels. The carpeting was replaced, and now completely covers the floor and walls. A new heating and air-conditioning system was added, as well as a generator and electrical distribution system. The car's exterior paint was sandblasted off and a new coat of DuPont Centari paint was added. Most of this work was accomplished during a 6-week period in 1992 when the owners, family and friends, and railcar contractor "Star Trak", worked 16-hour days! Since that time, the car has traveled tens of thousands of miles from New Jersey to Iowa to Niagara Falls, Canada, and everywhere in between.