"Crate" - Life Before Air Force One

[jcgriff2]

We all know of Air Force One, Marine One, and to a lesser extent, Limo One, for USA Presidential travel.

I never knew there was a Presidential Train car in use from 1942 - 1954.

"Presidential Communications Railroad Car" (“Crate”)

The official call sign of the Presidential Train was City Hall this was used when the train was actually in use, but Crate was used as the un-official call sign by the Camp David (Cactus) personnel that maintained the communications equipment onboard. Crate consisted of two old WWII train cars. They were 85' in length, painted Olive Drab, with three axel trucks. One was a converted Hospital Car. This car was converted into living quarters for SS and WHASA / WHCA personnel. It had a small kitchen, some bunks for sleeping, a small bathroom with a shower and a living area. An old Hallicrafters SX-63 was installed for entertainment.

http://coldwar-c4i.net/crate/the_presidential_communications_railroad_car_crate.pdf

There used to be a Presidential Yacht as well (I remembered it only because of a scene in the movie "Nixon").