Pennsylvania - Reading Seashore Lines GP38's nos. 2000, 2011 and 2012 were built by the Electro Motive Division (EMD) of General Motors (GM)  between December, 1967 and July, 1970.

In the 1960's, the Pennsylvania - Reading Seashore Lines (PRSL) was in need of new, powerful and reliable locomotives and turned to industry-leader General Motors - Electro Motive Division (EMD) to supply 15 new, second generation diesel - electric locomotives. 

15 GP38's were delivered to the PRSL between 1967 and 1970. Each unit was rated for 2,000 horsepower and had a maximum speed gearing of 65 MPH. Quickly, the units proved their reliability, flexibility and efficiency.

Locomotives 2000, 2011 and 2012 served the Pennsylvania - Reading Seashore Lines in a variety of duties (both passenger and freight) in the southern New Jersey region from 1967 to 1976! 

In 1976, the Pennsylvania - Reading Seashore Lines was absorbed into Conrail, along with its motive power and equipment. Locomotives nos. 2000, 2011 and 2012 (renumbered 7660, 7671 and 7672) were incorporated into the general Conrail motive power pool, but remained in southern New Jersey service until the mid - 1980's. 

Locomotives 2000, 2011 and 2012 were acquired by Cape May Seashore Lines in 2022, and were returned to their home rails in southern New Jersey for service on Seashore Lines freight and passenger trains!

Pennsylvania - Reading Seashore Lines Budd Rail Diesel Cars (RDC's) nos. M-407 and M-410 were built in October, 1950 and May, 1951, respectively, by the Budd Company of Philadelphia, PA. The cars were part of a fleet of 12 cars purchased by the Pennsylvania - Reading Seashore Lines. 

The Budd Company designed the RDC (Rail Diesel Car) as an economical alternative to traditional locomotive-hauled passenger trains in commuter and branch line service at a time when railroads were struggling to make passenger services profitable. Budd Rail Diesel Cars proved much less costly to operate than regular passenger consists and were well received by railroads throughout North America as well as some overseas rail lines!

A total of 398 Budd Rail Diesel Cars were built between 1949 and 1962. The RDC was constructed of stainless steel, and was visually attractive, easy to maintain, lightweight, flexible and powerful, with a top speed of 85 miles per hour. 

Cars M-410 and M-407 along with their 10 sisters were utilized in high-speed commuter passenger service by the Pennsylvania - Reading Seashore Lines between Philadelphia, PA, Camden, NJ and Lindenwold, NJ to Atlantic City, Wildwood, Cape May City, Ocean City and Millville, NJ from October, 1950 to June, 1982. 

During that time, the Budd Cars gradually replaced the previous fleet of antiquated and failing Baldwin diesel locomotives and old, worn-out P70 coaches.

The steadfastly reliable group of 10 Budd Rail Diesel Cars remained in service as the final pieces of passenger equipment utilized by the Pennsylvania - Reading Seashore Lines. 

Southbound Budd Cars operating as trains nos. 127 and 129 departed Lindenwold for the last time on June 30, 1982, bringing an end to a service which had operated continuously to Atlantic City since July 4, 1854. 

Single Budd Car M-410 operated as train no. 129 on that date, and was the very last train into Atlantic City before the suspension of passenger service. Budd Car M-410 brought a close to a proud southern New Jersey railroad tradition that spanned 128 years!

(AMTRAK operated service to Atlantic City from May 23, 1989, to April 1, 1995, and NJ TRANSIT commuter service was inaugurated on September 17, 1989, and continues today.)

Cars M-410 and M-407 were restored by the Seashore Lines in 1996 and have been utilized on Seashore Lines passenger excursion trains in Atlantic and Cape May Counties since that time!

Comet I passenger cars nos. 5119, 1753 and 1786 were originally built by Pullman - Standard for the Erie Lackawanna Railroad / New Jersey Department of Transportation in 1970 and 1971 to be used in push-pull commuter service in northern New Jersey.

Ownership of the cars was transferred to NJ Transit Rail Operations in the early 1980’s. Comet I commuter coaches were retired from NJ Transit service in 2006, and cars 5119, 1753 and 1786 were generously preserved by NJ Transit when they were donated to our friends at the Whippany Railway Museum.

In 2024, all three cars were acquired by the Seashore Lines, and car 1786 underwent a complete interior refurbishment to provide First Class accommodations to our customers!

Prep and painting work was recently completed in April 2025, returning car 1786 to its ‘as built’ appearance with a midnight blue window band, red outer stripe, black undercarriage and platinum mist car ends.

 Additional restoration work was completed by the Seashore Lines with the installation of new windows and new HVAC system components. In all, we estimate over 1,000 man hours were invested by Seashore Lines employees to fully restore car no. 1786!

Stay tuned to our website and Facebook page for additional updates regarding cars 5119, 1753 and 1786!

The Vista Valley was built in November of 1947 as a Sleeper - Observation Lounge car by the Pullman Company of Chicago, Illinois for the Santa Fe Railway. The Vista Valley served as a ‘tail car’ on the Santa Fe’s premier train, the Super Chief, from the beginning of its service life in 1947, until 1974. 

The Vista Valley was originally built as a 1 - double bedroom, 4 - drawing room observation lounge car, with a round end that was squared off in 1955 for mid - train service. Aside from the bedroom and drawing rooms, it featured a large lounge area, with windows on the sides and rear of the car, and groupings of comfortable club chairs arranged for passengers’ viewing pleasure and unobstructed sightseeing. The interior was fully appointed in a classic art deco theme of the late 1940’s.

Today, the Vista Valley (now referred to as an Observation Lounge car), retains her original double bedroom and four drawing rooms (now referred to as Private Family Suites), and large lounge area. The Vista Valley is just as famous and historically significant as the Santa Fe’s legendary Super Chief, and stands ready to serve you in proud railroad tradition!

Relive the glory days of coast to coast rail travel aboard the celebrated Vista Valley, where you could occupy a drawing room (Private Family Suite), or the lounge area, just like Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint did in the classic 1959 American thriller film, ‘North By Northwest!’

Experience the magic, thrill and excitement of the Santa Fe Railway’s Super Chief today, as you ride the famed Vista Valley on the Seashore Lines!