DL&W Troop Sleeper #3621
The Iron Horse Society has undertaken a variety of initiatives to preserve the rich railroad heritage at the Steamtown National Historic Site.
Current Fundraising in Progress
The Iron Horse Society, in partnership with the Lackawanna Chapter of the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society (R&LHS), is leading the cosmetic and eventual operational restoration of DL&W #3621, a former Pullman-built troop sleeper. The Lackawanna Chapter R&LHS has generously provided $10,000 in seed funding to kickstart the project.
Built by the Pullman Company between 1943 and 1946, this all-steel railcar was one of over 2,400 troop sleepers designed to carry U.S. soldiers across the country during World War II. With its boxcar-like frame and thirty triple-tiered bunks, No. 3621 served as a rolling barracks, transporting servicemen from hometowns to training camps and ports of embarkation.
After the war, the car was sold to the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad—first used in express service and later converted in 1949–1950 for maintenance-of-way use. It supported signal gangs and track crews throughout the region before eventually being renumbered and retired. In 1990, it was donated to Steamtown National Historic Site, where it remains today—weathered, silent, but full of stories.
A Collaborative Effort to Preserve History
The Iron Horse Society, in partnership with the Lackawanna Chapter of the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society (R&LHS), is leading the restoration of Troop Sleeper No. 3621. Thanks to a generous commitment by the Lackawanna Chapter R&LHS—providing an initial $10,000 of seed funding—this project is off to a strong start.
This partnership brings together deep expertise and a shared passion for preserving the legacy of the Lackawanna Railroad and its wartime contributions.
The Restoration Plan
A three-phase restoration effort is underway to bring this car back to life:
Phase 1: Exterior Restoration – Stabilize the car, remove hazardous materials, repair rust damage, replace windows, repaint in historically accurate wartime livery.
Phase 2: Interior Interpretation – Recreate bunk layouts, add interpretive exhibits, and tell the full story of troop movements and postwar rail service.
Phase 3: Operational Revival – Restore mechanical elements to allow safe, limited on-site movement during special events and educational programs.
This campaign supports Phase 1: the critical first step in restoring the exterior and preparing the car for public display. Our fundraising goal is $115,000 to support the following work:
Asbestos Abatement – Safely remove hazardous materials from the car.
Repair of Rust Damage – Stabilize the steel body and prevent further corrosion.
Window Replacement – Install historically appropriate coverings to protect the interior.
Wartime Paint & Lettering – Apply DL&W livery and car number markings true to the 1940s.
Weatherproofing – Seal the car for long-term outdoor display and preservation.
With your help, we’ll prepare No. 3621 for public display and ensure it can safely and proudly represent a crucial era of American service and railroading. Once Phase 1 is complete, we will move forward with interior restoration and, ultimately, operational use for educational programming.
Your donation today preserves an extraordinary piece of our nation’s history.