Great Northern 1215 and 1224 are new acquisitions by MTM, the newest members of MTM's GN streamlined train set. They were given to MTM by the United Railway Historical Society in 2004.
Like GN 1213, 1215 and 1224 were built for the 1951 Mid-Century "Empire Builder." However, they differed in several important ways. 1213 was a 60-seat coach for short-distance passengers, with two restrooms/lounges and a small office for the conductor. It was one of six (1209-1214 - one in each of the six train sets,) and was built by ACF. 1215 and 1224 were 48-seat leg-rest coaches for long-distance passengers, with two women's rooms and a single men's room/lounge. They were two of eighteen (1215-1232 - three in each of the six train sets,) and were built by Pullman. See 1213's page for more about the Empire Builder train.
Though the eighteen cars were "identical," there were many minor differences. Click here to see a high-res scan of 1224's equipment diagram. Compare with 1215 - the two cars were even built in different lots.
In 1955, the Empire Builder was re-equipped with dome cars. This very popular feature splits the car into two levels. The upper level is raised and has a glass roof, giving an outstanding view of the scenery along the route. The lower level is below the normal floor level, and incorporates the through-hallway. Each of the six trains received three dome-coaches, which replaced 1215-1232 car-for-car. The dome section was about 1/4 of the car's length, and the restrooms occupied the space under the dome. There was also a dome-lounge in the first class area at the rear of the train, whose dome spanned the full length of the car.
Bumped from the Empire Builder by the dome coaches, 1215 and 1224 filled coach slots in the more utilitarian long-distance "Western Star," and in short-distance trains like the "Coast Pool," "International," "Dakotan," "Red River," and "Gopher"/"Badger." They served these trains for fifteen years, from 1955 through 1969.
The 1970's brought changes. First was the Burlington Northern merger of 1970. 1224 was assigned BN number 4825, though it may never have been applied. Then Amtrak took over the Nation's passenger trains in 1971. None these coaches were selected by Amtrak, so they were placed in storage by the BN. In 1973, New Jersey Transit purchased roughly fourty coaches from BN, including all of the 1947 and 1951 Empire Builder long-distance coaches, and placed them in commuter service. 1215 became their 5313, and 1224 their 5318. Except for one restroom, the entire interior was removed and replaced with enough walk-over seats for 108 commuters. The double-pane windows were replaced with plexiglass at the same time.
NJ Transit never upgraded the coaches. They retained their 32-volt DC electrical systems, steam heat, and drop-on-tracks toilets until the end of their service lives. 1224 was lucky enough to have its generator controls replaced with modern solid-state gear in 1980. By 1987, enough new equipment was on hand, and the old GN coaches were retired.
In 1991, the United Railway Historical Society, with the help of a sympathetic state representative, acquired roughly twenty of the old GN coaches from NJ Transit for restoration and use in excusions. Eight were restored with grants and are used for excursion service. However, they had more coaches than they needed, and in the late 1990's eight were given to the Pacific Railroad Preservation Association, of SP&S fame.
In 2003, the URHS declared the last four unrestored GN cars, 1215, 1223, 1224, and 1229, surplus and offered them to other museums. MTM picked the two they felt were most desirable, 1215 and 1224. They arrived at Jackson Street in July 2005.
(On arrival at Jackson Street, it was discovered 1224 has the A-end door from GN coach-diner 1145, sister to GN 1146, which MTM leases from a member.)
Today, 1215 and 1224 are essentially as NJ Transit parked them, with maybe a little more rust. After restoration, they will add to MTM's pool of operating equipment, allowing MTM greater ability to participate civic and business special events, on- or off-line. They need new window glazing, paint, and some steel work. Because their electrical systems are intact, they will be self-contained at higher speeds, or slave off the generators in heater car 16 at low speeds. Long-term, the restoration shop staff hope to reconstruct the missing restrooms and restore the Heywood-Wakefield "Sleepy Hollow" leg-rest seats.
More photos of 1224
 | An intact electrical cabinet was a big reason for picking 1224. |
 | It may need some work, but it lights up! Note the high-density walk-over seating installed by NJ Transit. |
 | Fixed marker lights installed by NJ Transit. |
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