Chessie Steam Special CSS (S2) Concessions Car #11 belonged to Steam Special Souvenirs Ltd. The car was lettered "E.M. Frimbo", in the style of the famed New Yorker Magazine writer's own signature. The car was rebuilt in 1978 from Railroad Passenger Cars, Inc. 38-seat snack bar coach #3004. Ex-B&O 3004 snack bar coach, rebuilt in 1967 from B&O 42-seat coach 3580. The car had previously been rebuilt/modernized in 1948 into a 42-seat coach by the B&O Mt. Clare shops, and renumbered 3580. Orignally built by Pullman as an 80-seat coach in 1930 as part of Lot 6350, B&O car #5475 (Class A-20). Today the car resides in Huntington, WV. Thanks go to researchers Jerry LaBoda, Alexander D. Mitchell IV, and Peter Espy for much of this info. On the CSS this car was positioned mid-train to offer snacks and souvenirs to passengers. |
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The New Yorker Magazine editor Rogers Ernest Malcolm Whitaker (January 15, 1900 – May 11, 1981) used the pen name E.M. Frimbo, World's Greatest Railroad Buff in his writings, and it was to recognize him (and to entice him to write about the Chessie Steam Special) that the car was named for him. Pictured here is the cover of the magazine from September 26, 1970. In this edition EM Frimbo recalls his ride on a High Iron Company steam train excursion in his The Talk of the Town section. Image: Todd Schannuth collection Whitaker died in 1981 and his ashes were scattered along the rails of one of his favorite train rides - the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. His brother, a renowned blacksmith from Aspen, Colorado created a plaque to memorialize Frimbo. It is attached to a railroad tie near the east end of the Cumbres trestle. Research: Chris James, Editor, C&TS Dispatch.
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The car became Chessie Safety Express #10 for the second season of that train in 1981. Image: John Lewis collection, on a trip behind NKP 765 in 1979.
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Note the 'E.M. Frimbo' lettering below the number 11. Image: John Lewis collection, on a trip behind NKP 765 in 1979.
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This page previously stated there were two Car #11s during the second season, but this has been corrected to show only one, per concessionaire Howie Samelson. Image: David H. Hamley, J.M. LaBoda Collection |
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