Elizabeth Harrington Reporter WDBJ7

9:07 p.m. EDT, August 6, 2012
ROANOKE, Va—

A contest could help restore an 89-year-old rail car to its former glory. The Virginia Museum of Transportation is trying to win a contest for 'top endangered artifact'

The green paint is long gone from Lake Pearl. But inside is a trip back in time.

"If you were gonna ride the train this was your Cadillac or your Mercedes at the time," says Beverly Fitzpatrick, Jr., the museum's executive director.

This 1923 Pullman sleeper car is rare.  The carpet, seats, and everything else is original.

The Pullman sleeper was revolutionary because it allowed people to travel in style and overnight. It had double berth beds that folded up during the day.

Fitzpatrick hopes a statewide contest among museums will help restore this rail car.

"I mean it might run again," says Fitzpatrick, "But it won't run if it's not in great shape and doesn't look good and doesn't fit the bill."

They need to redo the walls, clean the seats, put in new windows and paint. But first they need to remove the lead based paint inside.  It all adds up.

"If I had to take a guess and it's not a guess based on any numbers it'll probably be about a $100,000," says Fitzpatrick.

Right now the Lake Pearl car is third in the online contest by the Virginia Association of Museums.  Fitzpatrick says they won last year and that helped them get money to restore a locomotive. They're hoping for a repeat win.

"I think because it's an unusual car it'll have its following," says Fitzpatrick.

Voting ends August 29.  You can cast your vote by clicking here.

Sign up for breaking news alerts from WDBJ7 here >>>