Nancy Hanks (passenger train)
Encyclopedia
The Nancy Hanks was a popular Central of Georgia Railway passenger train in Georgia
running between Atlanta
and Savannah
. It was named after a race horse
who was named for Abraham Lincoln's mother
. The name is even older than the mid-20th century train derived from that of a short-lived but famous steam
special, the Nancy Hanks. The earlier Nancy operated in 1892 and 1893.
Nancy Hanks II made her first trip on July 17, 1947. The new train's cars were painted blue and grey and, like the first Nancy, each bore a likeness of the famed trotter on the side.http://www.mindspring.com/~teeth/caution/aboard0123.htm
"The Nancy", as it was affectionately known, was an all-coach, reserved-seat train with grill lounge service. It left Savannah daily at 7 AM for the six-hour run via Macon to Atlanta, and returned from Atlanta's Terminal Station
at 6 PM (18:00).
Black and white passengers were separated on this little pocket streamliner until the 1960s. Four "divided" segregated coaches were built by American Car & Foundry (ACF) for Nancy and African-Americans were not allowed to eat in the Grill-Lounge car. In fact, the Central of Georgia was the last major southern railroad to desegregate because railroad officials did not feel the Georgia
corporation should comply with federal law since COG was an intrastate carrier. http://www.amazon.com/Railroads-African-American-Experience-Photographic/dp/0801891620
In the 1960s the Central leased a dome car
from the Norfolk and Western-Wabash line, where it had operated for a number of years; the car was thoroughly renovated for service on the Nancy Hanks II. The dome parlor-lounge car was 85 feet (26 m) long, of steel
construction, and was originally built by Pullman-Standard. It had a dark-blue exterior and interior upholstery
in royal blue and gray. In keeping with the race horse theme the lounge beneath the dome was branded the "Saddle & Stirrup" room. http://southern.railfan.net/ties/1968/68-2/dome.html
April 30, 1971, saw the last run of the Nancy Hanks II, the day before Amtrak
came into being. Atlanta's Terminal Station was demolished the following year.
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
running between Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
and Savannah
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
. It was named after a race horse
Nancy Hanks (horse)
Nancy Hanks was an undefeated Standardbred harness racing trotting mare named for Abraham Lincoln's mother.She was foaled in 1886 at Terre Haute, Indiana and was sired by Happy Medium, her dam Nancy Lee was by Dictator....
who was named for Abraham Lincoln's mother
Nancy Hanks
Nancy Hanks Lincoln was the mother of Abraham Lincoln and of Sarah Lincoln after her marriage to Thomas Lincoln. After the family moved from Kentucky to Spencer County, Indiana, Nancy Lincoln died of milk sickness at the Little Pigeon Creek settlement...
. The name is even older than the mid-20th century train derived from that of a short-lived but famous steam
Steam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
special, the Nancy Hanks. The earlier Nancy operated in 1892 and 1893.
Nancy Hanks II made her first trip on July 17, 1947. The new train's cars were painted blue and grey and, like the first Nancy, each bore a likeness of the famed trotter on the side.http://www.mindspring.com/~teeth/caution/aboard0123.htm
"The Nancy", as it was affectionately known, was an all-coach, reserved-seat train with grill lounge service. It left Savannah daily at 7 AM for the six-hour run via Macon to Atlanta, and returned from Atlanta's Terminal Station
Terminal Station (Atlanta)
Terminal Station in Atlanta was the larger of two principal train stations in downtown, Union Station being the other. Opening in 1905, Terminal Station served Southern Railway, Seaboard Air Line, Central of Georgia , and the Atlanta and West Point. The architect was P...
at 6 PM (18:00).
Black and white passengers were separated on this little pocket streamliner until the 1960s. Four "divided" segregated coaches were built by American Car & Foundry (ACF) for Nancy and African-Americans were not allowed to eat in the Grill-Lounge car. In fact, the Central of Georgia was the last major southern railroad to desegregate because railroad officials did not feel the Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
corporation should comply with federal law since COG was an intrastate carrier. http://www.amazon.com/Railroads-African-American-Experience-Photographic/dp/0801891620
In the 1960s the Central leased a dome car
Dome car
A dome car is a type of railway passenger car that has a glass dome on the top of the car where passengers can ride and see in all directions around the train. It also can include features of a coach, lounge car, dining car or observation...
from the Norfolk and Western-Wabash line, where it had operated for a number of years; the car was thoroughly renovated for service on the Nancy Hanks II. The dome parlor-lounge car was 85 feet (26 m) long, of steel
Steel
Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten...
construction, and was originally built by Pullman-Standard. It had a dark-blue exterior and interior upholstery
Upholstery
Upholstery is the work of providing furniture, especially seats, with padding, springs, webbing, and fabric or leather covers. The word upholstery comes from the Middle English word upholder, which referred to a tradesman who held up his goods. The term is equally applicable to domestic,...
in royal blue and gray. In keeping with the race horse theme the lounge beneath the dome was branded the "Saddle & Stirrup" room. http://southern.railfan.net/ties/1968/68-2/dome.html
April 30, 1971, saw the last run of the Nancy Hanks II, the day before Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
came into being. Atlanta's Terminal Station was demolished the following year.