Former Long Island Rail Road car 2906 was built by Pullman-Standard as part of an 80-car order placed by LIRR in 1955.  2906 was actually produced in 1955 as part of the 2901-2935 series.   The entire series from 2901-2980 were produced by the end of 1956.    It was all-steel construction, weighing 107,400 pounds (that's 53.7 tons, folks).   The car series continued in service on the LIRR until 2000.    Hill Country Excursions, LP, purchased the car in 2001 and it arrived in Llano, Texas, in 2002.  The car was donated for excursion service to the Hill Country Railroad Association in 2002.

The car had 120 seats in 22 rows of 3-2 transit seats, plus modified seating at the A-end of the car where handicapped seating (and tie-downs) was provided.   55 seats face the A-end and 55 seats face the B-end, reflecting the push-pull seating arrangements used by the LIRR during the 1970s and 80s.  

We've been told that the 2900 series cars were used from Jamaica, Long Island, out to the east on the non electrified region of the railroad.  Steam and later diesel power was used on this area of the line.    "I rode the 2900 cars to work and home every day in the 80's" Steve Barry told us.  Steve is a conductor and brakeman for Austin Steam Train Association.

There are no toilets in the car.  We have found that the car was often matched with an odd-numbered car (such as 2905) in which there WERE toilets.    There is a 30x30 storage room at the B-end of the car in which we are considering the placement of a package restroom and exhaust fan.   That's larger than an airline restroom.  

Full sliding car-end doors were received in fair condition, but will need to be renovated.  The interior paint of 2906 is in very good condition.    All four vestibule doors are full sliding doors.    Perhaps we will engineer these into four dutch doors, but that's way down the line.      Only one seat of 120 actually needs any repair, and that seat has one six-inch tear.    The lights in the car are in excellent condition.     Original smoke glass windows have been replaced ($4500) with original specification clear glass, which will provide better visibility.

Detroit Diesel power unit has been rebuilt. ($7400)    Air conditioning system has been inspected and recharged.    New electric batteries have been purchased ($2200).     Running gear was tested in June, 2004.   All wheels pass inspection for rim and thickness, but flat spots on two different wheels may require grinding.   In Spring, 2005, the wheels passed tests.

The exterior paint has deteriorated, and years of bondo repairs to the outside steel will require replacement of several steel panels.    In addition, two different graffitti attacks will have to be removed.    The rust was particularly bad on the vestibules, but we found that there was good steel underneath  when we scraped to prepare for painting.

We've repainted the steps and vestibules in black, improving the look of the car and the rest of the undercarriage was done in late 2005 in black.       We plan to retain 2906 as the car number.

During the 1960s, the LIRR nicknamed itself the Line of the Rushing Commuter.  Perhaps the Llano River Rail Road  could be nicknamed the Line of the Relaxing Tourist, so that we stay in touch with the car's LIRR heritage.   Three hundred passengers enjoyed the ride - and the airconditioning during the April 2005, Wildflower Special at Llano along the Llano River.