A Look at a Piece of Presidential Rail History: The Superb

DULUTH, Ga. — In honor of Presidents Day, here’s a quick overview of a unique piece of presidential history.

The Superb private railcar on display at the Southeastern Railway Museum.

The Pullman Co. built the heavyweight private car in March 1911. President Warren G. Harding used the Superb during his planned two-month “Voyage of Understanding,” which began in Washington, D.C., on June 20, 1923.

However, before finishing the trip, Harding fell ill and died in San Francisco on Aug. 2, 1923. The Superb carried the president’s coffin to Washington, D. C. for the state funeral and then to Marion, Ohio, where he was buried.

The Seaboard Coast Line Railroad donated the car to the museum in 1969. The car maintains its original floor plan and is the second-oldest steel private car in existence. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.

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About Todd DeFeo 390 Articles
Todd DeFeo loves to travel anywhere, anytime, taking pictures and notes. An award-winning reporter, Todd revels in the experience and the fact that every place has a story to tell. He is owner of The DeFeo Groupe and also edits Express Telegraph and The Travel Trolley.