A matter of practicality
On a pretty late summer morning, the Greenfield Village's Detroit & Lima Northern Locomotive #7 takes the shuttle train through the Firestone Farm District, en route to a stop at the village entrance, just a few hundred yards ahead.
Rail enthusiasts who visit Greenfield Village sometimes ask why open, tourist cars are used to haul passengers, instead of period-correct coaches. While the railroaders would clearly like to have a more authentic train, the answer to the question is really a matter of practicality. There are not a lot of historic, wooden coaches available that would be a good match for the locomotives here and the cost to restore (or build new) and maintain such coaches would be considerable. The harsh winters of Southern Michigan would pretty much dictate that such equipment be stored indoors and facilities to do that don't currently exist. In addition, Greenfield Village operates primarily during the summer months, when the temperatures at mid-day are often 90 degrees or more, which would be uncomfortable for visitors in standard coaches. These cars are built much like the old, J. G. Brill "Breezer" trolleys, providing a nice, cool ride on hot days. Lastly, standard coaches have a center aisle and don't accommodate nearly as many guests as tourist cars with bench seats. These open-air cars can board and de-train passengers from every row simultaneously, making for shorter stops and allowing large groups to sit together.
It should also noted that these tourist cars are not rebuilt freight cars, but rather, were purpose-built for Greenfield Village by a well-known, in-region railroad contractor. They are steel cars with air-brakes and are fully capable of spending the winters outdoors without significant problem.
A matter of practicality
On a pretty late summer morning, the Greenfield Village's Detroit & Lima Northern Locomotive #7 takes the shuttle train through the Firestone Farm District, en route to a stop at the village entrance, just a few hundred yards ahead.
Rail enthusiasts who visit Greenfield Village sometimes ask why open, tourist cars are used to haul passengers, instead of period-correct coaches. While the railroaders would clearly like to have a more authentic train, the answer to the question is really a matter of practicality. There are not a lot of historic, wooden coaches available that would be a good match for the locomotives here and the cost to restore (or build new) and maintain such coaches would be considerable. The harsh winters of Southern Michigan would pretty much dictate that such equipment be stored indoors and facilities to do that don't currently exist. In addition, Greenfield Village operates primarily during the summer months, when the temperatures at mid-day are often 90 degrees or more, which would be uncomfortable for visitors in standard coaches. These cars are built much like the old, J. G. Brill "Breezer" trolleys, providing a nice, cool ride on hot days. Lastly, standard coaches have a center aisle and don't accommodate nearly as many guests as tourist cars with bench seats. These open-air cars can board and de-train passengers from every row simultaneously, making for shorter stops and allowing large groups to sit together.
It should also noted that these tourist cars are not rebuilt freight cars, but rather, were purpose-built for Greenfield Village by a well-known, in-region railroad contractor. They are steel cars with air-brakes and are fully capable of spending the winters outdoors without significant problem.