Dover Harbor (Pullman car)

The Dover Harbor sleeper-buffet-lounge is among the oldest operating Pullman passenger cars in the United States. It is owned and operated by the non-profit National Railway Historical Society, Washington, D.C., Chapter, Inc. (DCNRHS).
Construction and revenue use.
The Pullman Company of Chicago built the heavyweight railroad car "Maple Shade" in July 1923. The car was originally configured as a combine-baggage-library car, with four sleeping sections, a lounge, a barber shop, and a baggage area. It operated on the Pennsylvania Railroad's name trains, including the "Broadway Limited" and the "Spirit of St. Louis".
In March 1934, Pullman recalled the "Maple Shade" to its shops, where the company rebuilt the car as a sleeper-buffet-lounge and renamed it "Dover Harbor". The rebuild added six double bedrooms, a buffet kitchen, and a 14-seat lounge. With its newly installed air conditioning, "Dover Harbor" now weighed 87 tons.
Following the renovation, "Dover Harbor" operated in revenue and pool service for 31 years. It ran on trains including the New York Central's "Cleveland Limited" and "Knickerbocker", and the Boston & Maine's "Montrealer" and "Washingtonian". The Pullman Company retired "Dover Harbor" to its Calumet, Illinois, shops in 1965.
Retirement and restoration.
The Pullman Company sold "Dover Harbor" in 1968. After "Dover Harbor" passed through the hands of four private owners, the non-profit National Railway Historical Society, Washington, D.C., Chapter, Inc. (DCNRHS) purchased the car in November 1979.
DCNRHS volunteers and contractors restored the car to its 1934 appearance, with a Pullman green exterior and a period interior. After a series of safety upgrades, "Dover Harbor" became Amtrak certified in May 1986. DCNRHS operates "Dover Harbor" on public excursions and private charters from Washington Union Station.