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Dining Car History

In 1924, the Meriden was built by the Pullman Company for service on the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad's Merchant's Limited, between New York and Boston. Originally named Provincetown and later Plymouth, this car started out as a 32-chair, one drawing room parlor car. In later years it was used in work train service, and when acquired by The Valley Railroad Company, was a rusting, gutted hulk. It was restored by Valley Railroad as a 54-seat dining car and renamed Meriden.

The Essex Clipper - Dining Car Meriden

The Wallingford was built by the Pullman Company of Chicago, in 1927, as a 36-seat parlor car for the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad's Merchant's Limited. It was later sold to the Kansas City Southern Railroad. Purchased by The Valley Railroad Company in 1978, it was our first-class car until 1991, when it was reconfigured as a dining car for the Essex Clipper Dinner Train.

The Essex Clipper - Dining Car Wallingford

The St. Louis Car company built the Kitchen Car, number "89643", for the U.S. Army in 1953. Its original purpose was to prepare hot meals for soldiers traveling aboard Troop Trains, before the development of jet transport aircraft. In 1986, the Kitchen Car was acquired by The Valley Railroad Company, restored for use on the Essex Clipper, and named Colonial Hearth.