Specialty Tours at the N.C. Transportation Museum
Step aboard a remarkable private rail car and discover its unique place in history. Guided tours take visitors through the car, highlighting its craftsmanship, design, and the fascinating story of the people connected to it.
These tours offer a rare chance to step inside luxury rail travel of the past, providing a closer look at craftsmanship, innovation, and the lives of the prominent figures connected to these cars. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience history in an unforgettable way.
Specialty tours are Included with museum admission.
Survivor Tours
July 17, 18, 22, 25, 31
August 1, 5, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22
Walk-up Tour Times: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-3 p.m.
Step Inside History Aboard The Survivor
Tour The Survivor private railcar on select dates and discover how Atlanta-based restaurant owner and private car enthusiast Dante S. Stephensen transformed this historic car into his own private living and entertainment quarters.
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Built in 1926 for $50,000, the railcar was commissioned for Jessie Woolworth Donahue, heiress to F.W. Woolworth, whose five-and-dime stores became a household name in early 20th century America.
Originally named the Japauldon, the railcar was later renamed The Survivor by Dante S. Stephensen, who purchased it in 1982. Stephensen entertained famous politicians and other high-profile guests aboard the car, which operated across the country on private rail excursions. When not traveling, it was based at a secluded, wooded area next to Amtrak’s Crescent route near downtown Atlanta. Stephensen owned and operated Dante’s Down the Hatch, a famous restaurant and jazz club in downtown Atlanta and Buckhead.
A true rail enthusiast, Stephensen worked as a fireman, brakeman, and switchman to support his graduate studies in Denver, Colorado. His life and this railcar are a tribute to a lifelong connection to the rails.
Don’t miss your chance to step back in time and experience this rare piece of railroading history.
