DL&W Coach #335

 The Iron Horse Society and Steamtown National Historic Site are returning to service DL&W Coach #335, a 1925 Pullman-built passenger car that served generations of travelers during the golden age of American rail. Time has taken its toll—structural damage has left the coach unsafe and out of service. But with your help, Coach #335 will ride the rails again.

🔧 Work is Underway—But We Need Your Help

We’re proud to share that this project is moving forward, thanks in part to a $15,000 grant from the John H. Emery Rail Heritage Trust. The Emery Trust, created to preserve the classic U.S. passenger rail experience from 1920–1960, shares our mission to keep history alive.

The IHS Board has committed to funding the full scope of repairs so the project won’t be delayed—but your support is critical to help offset the cost and allow IHS to continue funding other preservation efforts across the park.

🛠️ A Proven Path Forward

We’ve partnered with HMC Tech Machining and Welding, the same contractor that successfully returned sister Coach #330 to service. They’ll use historically accurate techniques to ensure Coach #335 retains its original character while meeting today’s safety standards. The work will address critical issues, including deteriorated buffer beams, center sills, and structural framing.

The series of images below highlight examples of the severe rust damage on Coach #330 and showcase key moments from its structural restoration.