Queen & Crescent Chapter NRHS

The Story of Coach #660
by: Mick Nussbaum

As I am sure all of you know we have been the proud owners for many years of the ex Southern / Central of Georgia Deluxe Coach #660. She was given to the chapter in 1980 by the Southern Railway as they were phasing out passenger service in favor of turning their last passenger train over to Amtrak.

First of all I feel it is important for me to explain some railroad history as it applies to #660, I’m sure you noticed the round emblem to the right, well if there was a “Nancy Hanks II” then there must have been a “Nancy Hanks I”, Right. Luckily enough I have most of the story and with some considerable help from the Central of Georgia Historical Society, some great pictures too. Let’s begin.

In 1892 the Central of Georgia bought compound #1592 from Baldwin Locomotive Works and named the locomotive “Nancy Hanks” after the mare that held the world mile trotting record at the time, the mare herself was said to have been named after Abraham Lincoln’s mother. The following year the locomotive was assigned to a speedy Savannah – Atlanta passenger train, and soon the moniker migrated from the locomotive to the entire train, which sported blue and gold coaches, with each bearing a likeness to the renowned mare. Service was cancelled, however, on August 13, 1893, after several “Nancys” trotted off the tracks, which at the time was unprepared for the speeds the Compound could make when she stretched out her long legs.

Fifty four years later on July 17, 1947, Central's quick footed coast-to-capitol service returned, this time to much more capable trackage, in the form of a beautiful blue and gray four-car diesel powered streamliner, the Nancy Hanks II. The cars were from American Car and Foundry, the power from General Motors, and the service was an immediate success. Central applied the same sound philosophy to the Nancy Hanks II that it applied to the Man O' War - cheap fares and a ninety-notches-and-no-smoke schedule in combination to draw Georgians out of their ever more beloved automobiles.

There were twelve schedule stops and three flag stops between the Savannah Passenger Depot and Atlanta Terminal Station. Only five minutes were allowed for the stop in Macon, and the 293.7-mile route was covered in 5 hours and 40 minutes on the Savannah-Atlanta run. A grill-lounge car provided "all meals."

Ridership was high, and the Central quickly found its decision to tack six extra general service coaches onto the ACF "Nancy" order had been wisely made. A fifth car was added to the Nancy Hanks II on weekdays and a sixth on weekends. Like a seasoned jockey the Central whipped up patronage with promotions like "Rich's Shoppers Specials" on both the "Nancy" and the Man O' War, bringing travelers practically to the doorsteps of the resplendent Department Store of the South in downtown Atlanta, quite an adventure in Georgia in the days before shopping malls in every hamlet.

Sadly, by the time the Southern bought the Central on 1963 the "handwriting was on the wall" for the Nancy Hanks II, to quote President Dillard. Airlines were no longer just exotic luxuries for the wealthy and every year a bridge replaced one more ferry and a few more red clay hills were cut down and smoothed over by a ribbon of asphalt. Georgians could drive their own automobiles to Rich's, even after a rainy spell.

In 1968 the Southern gamely added dome cars purchased from the Wabash to the "Nancy" in an effort to boost patronage, but by now there was a good deal more handwriting than wall. By 1970 Southern wanted out and sought to discontinue the Nancy Hanks II, but the Georgia Public Service Commission ordered the Southern to keep the train running.

However, Southern saw a way to rid itself of the Nancy Hanks II, in spite of the Georgia PSC. The law that created Amtrak stated that when a railroad joined Amtrak that railroad could terminate its passenger service. In 1971, Southern Railway had declined to join Amtrak, in part so that it could continue to operate the Crescent. However, in a highly unusual move, Southern claimed that subsidiary Central of Georgia was technically an independent railroad, and as such able to join Amtrak, even while parent Southern stayed out.

Amtrak agreed with Southern's interpretation of the legislation and admitted the Central of Georgia, which, according to the wishes of its parent, then exercised its option to drop the Nancy Hanks II. The National Association of Rail Passengers sued both Amtrak and Southern, seeking to have the decision overturned, pointing out that the Central was merely an operating division of the Southern. The courts, however, sided with Southern and the Nancy Hanks II was doomed. Old friends could only stand and watch when, on April 30, 1971, the "Nancy" pulled out of Savannah for the last time.

After the demise of the “Nancy Hanks II” it’s equipment was put to use by the Southern Railway rather than turned over to Amtrak, the 660 series coaches were all repainted and reupholstered in Southern green for service on the Crescent, and served in that capacity until even that train was turned over to Amtrak. It was then that our coach as well as the 661 – 663 were donated to various railroad historical institutions along Southern’s route.

Click on Image to view larger image.

Above is of course our Coach #660 at the City track here in Meridian.

An ACF factory drawing of the car.

Car #661 at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee.