#9061 was built for the New York Central Railroad’s first-class parlor car service in 1948 as NYC #61, an “Observation/10 seat lounge/30 seat parlor” car. #61 trailed the likes of NYC’s famous crack daytime express trains such as the Twilight Limited (Chicago and Detroit), Empire State Express (New York and Cleveland/Detroit) and the James Whitcomb Riley (Chicago-Cincinnati), and would have been hauled by NYC’s famed Hudsons, Niagara’s and E-unit express passenger diesels – streaking across the countryside at 80mph. #9061 is equipped for all creature comforts and was completely refitted in the mid 1990’s. When the outside is repainted, it will again carry its original #61 designation as it trails the D&U’s new Rip Van Winkle Flyer luxury mini-cruise train.