The New Canaan Car: A Look Back at First-Class Travel on the New Haven Railroad
Traveling first class is a luxury that many of us dream about. The big comfy seats, real food, and free drinks make it the only way to fly. But did you know that there used to be a handful of private, first-class „club cars“ on the New Haven Railroad’s commuter trains? Among the most legendary was one that ran from New Canaan from 1908 to 1976, car #5113.
The New Canaan Historical Society has preserved all of the original paperwork for the private club known as „The New Canaan Car“ (NCC), and the story is fascinating. The plush custom-built car carried about 60 passengers, half the load of a regular coach. It had its own buffet from which an attendant, Willie Spaulding, dispensed continental breakfast in the morning and poured adult beverages in the evening.
The private car left New Canaan at 7:43 a.m., arriving at Grand Central by 8:48 on train #331 in the morning. The return run on train #332 left at 5:09 p.m. and was back in New Canaan by 6:15. Membership was not cheap, with initiation fees of $200 in 1966 ($1,600 in today’s money) and a monthly surcharge of $100, not including the price of the ticket.
Rumors about this railroad „unicorn“ often spoke about but seldom seen. One of the rumors was that this gentlemen’s club did not allow women members. However, from reading their bylaws, it was not the case. Members were allowed to bring guests, including women, with the approval of other members. The NCC was famous for its birthday parties and holiday fests, with a BYO liquor cabinet that operated on the honor system.
Memberships in the NCC were handed down from father to son, but there was no apparent waiting list. After the bankruptcy of the New Haven RR, Penn Central took over and raised its hauling fees, leading to the end of the NCC. The arrival of Metro-North marked the end of the line for the NCC, with the last run of the private car on April 1, 1976.
Despite efforts by the MTA to rebuild a bar car for the NCC, the cost was too high, and then-Gov. Ella Grasso stated that the state should not subsidize millionaire commuters in private cars. The NCC’s last run ended with a party in New Canaan, and the club was dissolved in 1979 after 71 years, marking a sad end to its illustrious history.
In conclusion, the New Canaan Car was a symbol of luxury and exclusivity on the New Haven Railroad. Its unique history and traditions made it a legendary part of commuter train travel, and its dissolution marked the end of an era. The memories of the NCC live on through preserved documents and stories, reminding us of a time when first-class travel was truly a special experience.