An early (circa 1905) heavyweight train car consist:
Buffet
Coach (2)
Sleeper (drawing room car)
Note: The Vice President's private car was often attached to the end of the train for excursions.

In 1941 the New York Central ordered new lightweight stainless steel cars for the ESE trains from Budd.
Initially a Hudson with matched streamlined stainless steel panels was used.
The NYC planned their first day of operation with the new fluted equipment as December 7, 1941, but drew little fanfare as the US was focused on the attack of Pearl Harbor.
A set of the 1941 cars is owned by the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum.

December 7 1941 Consist:
5426 Streamlined J3A 4-6-4 Hudson Locomotive & Tender
ALONZO B. CORNELL Baggage 60’ Railway Post Office Car
GROVER CLEVELAND Baggage Buffet 36 seat Lounge Car
CHARLES E. HUGHES 30 Revenue seat Parlor Car with 5 seat Parlor Drawing Room
HERBERT H. LEHMAN 30 Revenue seat Parlor Car with 5 seat Parlor Drawing Room
NATHAN L. MILLER 30 Revenue seat Parlor Car with 5 seat Parlor Drawing Room
GEORGE CLINTON 44 seat Dining Car
REUBEN E. FENTON 56 Revenue seat Coach
2569 56 Revenue seat Coach
2567 56 Revenue seat Coach
2566 56 Revenue seat Coach
HAMILTON FISH 56 Revenue seat Coach
DEWITT CLINTON 44 seat Dining Car
DAVID B. HILL 56 Revenue seat Coach
MORGAN LEWIS 56 Revenue seat Coach
WILLIAM L. MARCY 56 Revenue seat Coach
THEODORE ROOSEVELT 56 seat Tavern Bar Lounge Observation
An early (circa 1905) heavyweight train car consist:
Buffet
Coach (2)
Sleeper (drawing room car)
Note: The Vice President's private car was often attached to the end of the train for excursions.
In 1941 the New York Central ordered new lightweight stainless steel cars for the ESE trains from Budd. Initially a Hudson with matched streamlined stainless steel panels was used. The NYC planned their first day of operation with the new fluted equipment as December 7, 1941, but drew little fanfare as the US was focused on the attack of Pearl Harbor. A set of the 1941 cars is owned by the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum.
December 7 1941 Consist:
5426 Streamlined J3A 4-6-4 Hudson Locomotive & Tender
ALONZO B. CORNELL Baggage 60’ Railway Post Office Car
GROVER CLEVELAND Baggage Buffet 36 seat Lounge Car
CHARLES E. HUGHES 30 Revenue seat Parlor Car with 5 seat Parlor Drawing Room
HERBERT H. LEHMAN 30 Revenue seat Parlor Car with 5 seat Parlor Drawing Room
NATHAN L. MILLER 30 Revenue seat Parlor Car with 5 seat Parlor Drawing Room
GEORGE CLINTON 44 seat Dining Car
REUBEN E. FENTON 56 Revenue seat Coach
2569 56 Revenue seat Coach
2567 56 Revenue seat Coach
2566 56 Revenue seat Coach
HAMILTON FISH 56 Revenue seat Coach
DEWITT CLINTON 44 seat Dining Car
DAVID B. HILL 56 Revenue seat Coach
MORGAN LEWIS 56 Revenue seat Coach
WILLIAM L. MARCY 56 Revenue seat Coach
THEODORE ROOSEVELT 56 seat Tavern Bar Lounge Observation
Empire State Express