FABULOUS FAMILY | Meet The Cades & Their 100-Year Old Pullman Palace Train Car
- Mar 2, 2019
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 15, 2020
OL' FASHIONED FAMILY FUN IN A PULLMAN PALACE TRAIN CAR PLANO–Willie and Carol Cade enjoy making memories with their four adult children Sarah, Elise, Amy, Paul, and granddaughter Grace in a 100-year old Pullman Palace train car.
“The train car Constitution was purchased almost 80 years ago by my cousin’s grandfather,” Willie shares. “He was the president of Union Tank Car. When he learned that George Pullman was going to take the car off the tracks, he bought it and placed it on the lovely bluff overlooking Rock Creek since he owned and operated Rock Creek Farm.”
Willie’s father had acquired the train car 20 years ago and when his parents passed away, they passed it on to him and his family. So while, Carol spends her days working as a spiritual director and a trainer of the Montessori based Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Willie researches the Pullman records at the Illinois Rail Road Museum and the Newberry Library to prepare a full restoration of the train car Constitution.
Willie feels honored to share the history of the private Pullman train car, the Constitution, which was built in 1905 and served as "Air Force One" for presidents Harding and Wilson. The original car consists of four state rooms, an observation deck, a dining room, and a galley. When the train car was moved to its current spot, two large living rooms with fireplaces, a master bedroom, and bathroom have been added.
“When the president of Illinois Railway Museum visited, he said it was the most well-preserved Pullman train car in the U.S.,” Willie shares proudly. “Pullman built three cars like the Constitution; and although he always owned it, he rented it out for $75/day which included a cook and a porter.”
The Cade Family appreciates the privilege to be stewards of this piece of history and enjoy even more sharing it with others through Airbnb rentals at this link
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