Our History
Built in 1959 by the Canadian National Shops in Point St. Charles, Quebec, Tioga Pass was one of a series of 12 similar business cars designed for railroad executives. Originally number 26, and later renumbered 93, Tioga Pass spent most of its life in Edmonton Alberta. There it served the Vice-President of the Mountain Region.

The Canadian National made several modifications to the original design over the years. One of the three master bedrooms originally built into the car was removed in 1979 to increase space in the livingroom. Because the car sometimes moved on the rear of freight trains, a diesel generator and rectifier were installed on the car. After the inception of VIA Rail, steamheated trains became rarer, necessitating the installation of a self-contained heating system in 1993, just before the car was sold.

Car 93, now named Tioga Pass was purchased by Mr. Rutherford P. Hayes, a wealthy local businessman in Barstow, California, in late 1992 because, as he put it, “I always just wanted one.” In an epic journey, Tioga Pass made the trip to Barstow, California in January 1993. Unfortunately, soon after its arrival in Barstow, Mr Hayes passed away. The car sat, forlorn and abandoned, in front of the old Harvey House in Barstow.

Aronco Leasing purchased the car in 1997 from the Hayes estate. A victim of benign neglect, numerous repairs and upgrades were needed
before the car could be used again. Vandals had also taken their toll. Most of the windows were broken, and several interior fixtures had been stolen. At times, transients broke into the car and even slept inside.

Beginning in 2002, Tioga Pass underwent the most extensive restoration since its construction. The wheels, suspension, couplers, braking system and other parts of the car were all disassembled, inspected and then put back together. Numerous parts were in need of repair or replacement. Because many parts are no longer made, finding replacements was no easy task and often took months. In ddition, new electrical systems required by Amtrak were installed, enabling the car to operate in anywhere on almost any passenger train.