New Life for an Old Coach by Philip Jago

Former Canadian National Railways passenger car 4977 was built by the Canadian Car & Foundry in 1924 and started life as No. 5084.

Canadian National renumbered the car in 1969 and during its later years it was used for commuter service in the Montreal area.

The Society acquired the car in 1989 for use with ex-CP 1201 excursion service.

Following the retirement of 1201, the Society leased 4977 to The York Durham Heritage Railway in Uxbridge Ontario where the car was repainted from black and white CN livery to a more traditional green with gold lettering.

The lease with the YDHR ended in 2005 and the car was returned to the Society towards the end of the summer. The car's exterior has been restored and repainted in the old CN livery

In September 2024, the car was donated to the Railroad Museum of New England.

All of the YDHR green was subsequently removed and the car was painted in CN "tomato green"; it was never lettered prior to leaving Ottawa for its new home in the Railroad Museum of New England where it was quickly put into service following an overhaul of the running gear including new wheels and the installation of a new canteen area and on-board electrical generator. it is hoped to do an article on the work by the RMNE, we just have to get the time to put it together. They have brilliant shop and work force.