Guilford Passenger Coaches

Guilford Transportation Industries was never a passenger operator in the traditional sense, but during the mid-1980s its Office Car Special (OCS) became a signature train. Usually three or four cars long, the consist was short, distinctive, and perfect for a modeller looking for something unusual. With simple orange-striped paint, high-nose Geeps on the point, and occasional use on railfan charters, the train offered a rare passenger highlight in Guilford’s otherwise freight-focused era.

Motive Power

Typical power on the OCS included:

• Guilford (D&H/MEC) EMD GP7 #573
• Guilford (MEC) EMD GP7 #470

Guilford (MEC) GP38 #251

The locomotives were often freshly painted compared to Guilford’s usual road power, which made them stand out.

MEC GP7 #573

No. 573 had a particularly colourful history:

• Early 1980s: painted MEC green with gold stripes.
• July 1982: repainted maroon with yellow stripes.
• 1983: appeared in Guilford grey, lettered Maine Central.
• Early 1984: lettered D&H.
• 1985: returned to Maine Central lettering.

It retained its steam generator, making it suitable for passenger service. In 1996, Mary Jayne’s Railroad Specialties issued a postcard of the unit at Rigby Terminal. That same year, it was sold to the Conway Scenic Railroad and repainted into maroon and gold for tourist service.

Passenger Cars

The OCS roster around 1984–1985 included four principal cars:

Springfield Terminal #100 (Observation)

• Ex-N&W #102, purchased by D&H in 1976.
• Originally stainless steel fluted below the windows; still fluted in 1984, later stripped.
• Early history (whether built for N&W or acquired second-hand) remains unclear.

• 100 Steel Business Car PV Pullman N&W #102 9/1976 transferred to Guilford N&W diagram dated 8/15/1957. Sleeps 8 plus 2 porters.

https://www.rrpicturearchives.net/rsPicture.aspx?id=394433

In N scale: No exact model exists. A Con-Cor smoothside observation or brass import (Overland has done N&W cars) could serve as a base. Modify sides depending on whether you want the fluted or smooth look.

Springfield Terminal #101 (Diner/Lounge North Point)

• Built by Pullman-Standard in 1946 for Pere Marquette.
• Before delivery in 1950, sold to D&RGW as #1290.
• Sold to D&H in 1967 as #43.
• Retained stainless steel fluting into 1984, later removed.

• 43 Stainless Buffet-Lounge 1950 P-S D&RGW #1290 10/1967 transferred to Guilford “Champlain” – D&H Color Guide, p. 23

In N scale: Use a Kato smoothside diner or Con-Cor Pullman-style car as a starting point, with repaint and decals.

Maine Central #390 (Coach)

• Built by Pullman-Standard for PRR (PRR #4044).
• Became PC #4044, later Amtrak #5444.
• Eventually acquired by MEC or Guilford (exact timing unclear).
• A 1978 side shot exists online.

In N scale: Kato smoothside coach in PRR style is a decent stand-in. Strip/repaint into Guilford grey.

Maine Central #391 (Food Service Car)

• Conflicting reports:
  • Built by Budd in 1939, or
  • Built by Pullman-Standard in 1948 for NYC as #3011.
• Renumbered NYC #3211, became PC #3211, then Amtrak #3951.
• Later acquired by MEC or Guilford.
• Photographed post-Guilford at CPC Railroad Museum.

In N scale: Micro-Trains smoothside diner or Kato NYC-style car could stand in, with heavy repainting/decals.

Railfan Specials

The OCS wasn’t just for inspections. Photographs on rrpicturearchives show:

• Operation Lifesaver September 1983 over Mountain Sub
  A fan special to North Conway, NH, in 1983.
• Another in Maine in 1984.

These are some of the clearest photographic records of the train’s consist and condition.

It even appeared on the cover of Railpace magazine in June 1984 under the title Rumford Rocket, running in charter service. GP38 251 and GP7 573 on 3 cars.

Modelling in N Scale

For N scale modellers, the OCS has real advantages:

• Compact length – just 3–4 cars, ideal for small layouts.
• Recognisable power – Atlas has produced all three common locomotive types.
• Simple paint scheme – plain grey with orange stripes, doable with Microscale decals.

The challenge lies in the passenger cars. There are no ready-to-run matches, so you’ll need to rely on:

1. Stand-ins – Kato or Con-Cor smoothside diners/coaches repainted.
2. Kitbashing – modify brass imports or smoothside cars for window arrangements.
3. Interim compromises – run substitutes now, upgrade later when correct cars are built or found.

Legacy

Though Guilford never operated regular passenger service, its OCS gave the system a unique visual highlight. With its compact consist, distinctive paint, and unusual roster, it remains an attractive subject for modellers. In N scale, the locomotives are straightforward, the paintwork is manageable, and while the passenger cars demand creativity, the result will be a train that stands out in any consist.