Refreshment Cars

[DaveBrt]

Memphis Appeal, May 25, 1862

A novel feature has been introduced on the Philadelphia & Baltimore railroad in the shape of refreshment cars, which have proved a great convenience to passengers. Five will be permitted on the road, which have been leased by a Philadelphia firm at $2500 each per annum. They will be attached to through trains only. Each car is divided into two parts, one half devoted to the use of passengers, the other to the restaurant, which will be supplied with all articles of food usually offered in eating saloons. This improvement will be appreciated by the traveling public, who will much prefer procuring refreshments on the train to paying high prices at the stations, and running the risk of being left behind.
Pittsburg Post

 

[Georgian1950]

Interesting.

That is the earliest reference to food service on trains which I recall seeing.

 

[archieclement]

Interesting.

That is the earliest reference to food service on trains which I recall seeing.

Same year the Hannibal-St Jo started running a mail car

Wonder if the war had much to do with either, or just evolution of rail service.

 

[USS ALASKA]

...which have been leased by a Philadelphia firm at $2500 each per annum.

Question #1- Cool! I wonder who made them? My first thought was Pullman but this is really early in that company's history. Maybe...

...who will much prefer procuring refreshments on the train to paying high prices at the stations...

Question #2 - In this time frame, were the food vendors inside the station a subsidiary of the railroad or were they just contractors who leased space within the station? Or does "...paying high prices at the stations..." mean you got off there and ran down the street to Wild Bills Choke and Puke?

...and running the risk of being left behind.

Just like modern day casinos - "We never want you to leave the confines of what we control."

Cool article thanks!

Cheers,
USS ALASKA

 

[Lubliner]

Question #2 - In this time frame, were the food vendors inside the station a subsidiary of the railroad or were they just contractors who leased space within the station? Or does "...paying high prices at the stations..." mean you got off there and ran down the street to Wild Bills Choke and Puke?

My same thought too. Monopolizing the control of commerce in its early stages.
Lubliner.

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

Same year the Hannibal-St Jo started running a mail car

Wonder if the war had much to do with either, or just evolution of rail service.

Found this bit of info regarding the use of trains and mail service:

The Railway Mail Service revolutionized the way mail was processed by sorting mail aboard moving trains. Railway mail service began in 1832, but grew slowly until the Civil War. In 1862, mail was sorted en route, as a train moved between two points. The idea proved to be exceptionally successful, and as the postal service decentralized its operations, it concentrated on sorting much of the growing volume of mail while it was being carried on the nation's rail lines.

Source:

https://postalmuseum.si.edu/mail-by-rail#:~:text=Railway%20mail%20service%20began%20in,train%20moved%20between%20two%20points.

 

[KianGaf]

Interesting.

That is the earliest reference to food service on trains which I recall seeing.

I thought in them days people would get off at certain stations to dine.

 

[Georgian1950]

I thought in them days people would get off at certain stations to dine.

Meal stops were quite common well into the 20th Century.

The American Railroad Passenger Car by John H. White, Jr. has good information about the development of dining cars. Apparently, earlier examples of the P&B refreshment cars can be found in the US (I don't know what was going on in Europe). The first full dining car was said to be Pullman's Delmonico in 1868. It's first regular service (as opposed to exposition and excursion) was on the Chicago and Alton.

 

[KianGaf]

Meal stops were quite common well into the 20th Century.

The American Railroad Passenger Car by John H. White, Jr. has good information about the development of dining cars. Apparently, earlier examples of the P&B refreshment cars can be found in the US (I don't know what was going on in Europe). The first full dining car was said to be Pullman's Delmonico in 1868. It's first regular service (as opposed to exposition and excursion) was on the Chicago and Alton.

Full meals are a rarity these days on many rail companies services. I'm not sure if Amtrak do it but I can barely get a cup of tea on our rail service. The DB company in Germany still do table service I was on one of their trains last Tuesday. It's a pleasant experience having a meal watching the world pass by.

 

[archieclement]

Full meals are a rarity these days on many rail companies services. I'm not sure if Amtrak do it but I can barely get a cup of tea on our rail service. The DB company in Germany still do table service I was on one of their trains last Tuesday. It's a pleasant experience having a meal watching the world pass by.

I did Amtrak Southwest Chief from Chicago to Flagstaff bout 8 years ago, food was surprisingly good. Had like omelets for breakfast, Angus burgers for lunch, and steak for supper.

That's the dining car, it had a snack car as well for lesser fare/drinks