HO CSS Business Car #18, Chessie Steam Special

Business Cars

These cars were typically positioned at the rear of a train and featured a blend of work and comfort: private offices, meeting space, sleeping quarters, and an observation area to monitor the track and operations.

Business Cars played a critical role in managing and promoting the railroad. Executives and officials would travel the system to inspect infrastructure, meet with local communities, or entertain key clients. From the outside, these cars were often among the most distinctive on a train, with open platforms or rear-facing windows and ornate finishes. Inside, they combined functionality with luxury, embodying the prestige and authority of the railroad itself.

Though their use declined in the second half of the 20th century, Business Cars remain iconic symbols of the railroad’s golden age—and continue to serve ceremonial and special-event roles on modern railroads today.

Our Heavyweight Business Car models are based on the PRR Z74D prototype. For this run, we are offering models of 11 prototypical paint schemes representing cars with a similar appearance and purpose across various railroads, along with one fun holiday car. Each model features Broadway Limited’s high level of detail and craftsmanship, and all cars are equipped with standard Pullman 2411 trucks.

Features