Norfolk Southern Funds Historic Railcars for Pullman Park
A $250,000 contribution from Norfolk Southern supports bringing historic railcars to the Pullman National Historical Park in Chicago.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in National Parks
Norfolk Southern contributed $250,000 to help bring The GLEN AYR and ADVANCE historic railcars to the Pullman National Historical Park and State Historic Site. A ceremonial spike setting on November 9 kicked off work to reconnect the Pullman railcar factory site in Chicago with the national rail network.
Why it matters
The project extends the park's long-term vision of using historic railcars to help visitors understand Pullman's role in American history. Additional funding and infrastructure are still needed to accommodate, restore, protect and display the railcars.
Norfolk Southern's $250,000 contribution covers a rail switch installed last month plus a cash donation. The total cost of the Bringing Railcars to Pullman initiative and the remaining funding gap were not stated.
The players
Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern is a major U.S. freight railroad company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, that operates a large network across the eastern United States.
Robert Todd Lincoln
Robert Todd Lincoln was the son of President Abraham Lincoln and served as a president of the Pullman Company.
The details
The contribution includes a rail switch installed last month and associated infrastructure, plus a cash donation, and marks the first phase of the Bringing Railcars to Pullman initiative. The GLEN AYR, a 1928 Pullman sleeping car, was acquired by the Friends of Pullman through a private donation from Robert Menzies, while the ADVANCE, a 1911 business car owned by the State of Illinois, was used by Robert Todd Lincoln.
Timeline
More than a decade ago: Pullman National Historical Park became Chicago's first national park.
1911: The ADVANCE business car was built.
1928: The GLEN AYR sleeping car was built.
Last month: A rail switch was installed at the Pullman site.
November 9: A ceremonial spike setting kicked off reconnection work.
Historical Legacy
The effort returns original Pullman rolling stock to the Chicago factory site where the company built sleeping and business cars in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It extends the preservation of Pullman's manufacturing history that led to the park's designation as Chicago's first national park.
Visitors to the Pullman National Historical Park in Chicago may see the historic railcars once they arrive and are displayed. No public opening dates or visitor schedules for the railcars were provided in the announcement.
The takeaway
Restoring original railcars to their historic factory site gives visitors a tangible way to connect with Pullman's role in American rail and industrial history. Support for preservation projects like this often depends on partnerships between corporations, private donors and government agencies.
Further reading
Explore more about the National Parks that preserve American heritage sites like Pullman.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Railway Age.
