The Butler Transit Authority’s new transit center in Pullman Square is near completion. The transit center is located on the site of the former Pullman Standard Company. The Pullman Company opened the Butler rail car manufacturing facility in 1902. It was at this location where some of the first all steel rail cars were built.
With the generous donation of GATX, the Butler Transit Authority will prominently display a restored rail car manufactured at the Butler plant on the site of the new transit center as a tribute to the employees of Pullman Standard, Butler plant. The rail car will be displayed on a concrete pad prepared for the car with rails that were salvaged from the Pullman property. Butler Transit Authority Board Member, James Diamond, worked diligently to find the rail car, which is a freight car designed primarily for the movement of grain. This rail car was built in Butler in June of 1974. It was one of 300 ordered by the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad. This design, the Pullman 4750 cu. ft. capacity jumbo grain car, became the standard of the industry and dominated its market place for decades.
Mr. Diamond worked with GATX for the donation of the rail car which was located in Saskatchewan, Canada. It was transferred to New Castle, PA where Kasgro Rail Corporation of New Castle restored the car to its original color and decals. Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad is providing free rail access from New Castle to Butler. BTA is working with AK Steel for the vehicle to pass to their property to the Transit Authority location. John Steighner is assisting with logistics and transportation from the rail tracks to its permanent location at the BTA transit center. The Butler Transit Authority would like to thank all involved for their generosity and hard work.
The Transit Authority is anxious for the car to arrive on site. The exact arrival date is still pending. The car will serve as a visible reminder to the community, of the approximately 80 years Pullman was located on this property and the approximately 30,000 employees. The Transit Authority will be holding a Grand Opening and Open House celebration in the spring with a special ceremony to dedicate the rail car. Ceremony details will be provided in the spring via the Butler Transit Authority website.
