| Delivered by the Budd Company as AT&SF 52-seat coach 3079 the car was one of 30 (3072-3101) ordered by the Santa Fe Railway in February of 1937. Built in lot 977 the cars were delivered from July through October of the same year. All were placed in service on the Scout. Coach 3079 was among the 29 cars sold to NJDOT in 1969 and it was reconfigured to seat 84 commuters. NJ Transit donated the coach to the United Railways Historical Societies of New Jersey. A private owner purchased the car in 1991. The new owner configured the car for personal use and renamed it Coco Grove. The coach interior was removed and rebuilt with four bedrooms, kitchen, small dining area and a solarium lounge at the vestibule end. In 1996 the car met the requirements for Amtrak service and has continued to be mechanically certified. In 2005 the car changed owners and was re-decorated in colors of the southwest, fluffed up and refurnished to a very comfortable ride. In The car is the oldest Amtrak certified and operable Budd built car in the country. |