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Nevada Northern & Railroads of White Pine County
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Ward-Dressing Car
USA 89033
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During World War II the United States Army had two types of cars in hospital train service: "Ward Cars" and "Ward-Dressing Cars".
In general, two "Ward" cars ran coupled to each "Ward-Dressing" Car. The numbering scheme for Army railway hospital cars that eventually evolved had all cars beginning with "USA 89-". "Ward" cars carried a four-digit number, whereas "Ward-Dressing" cars carried a five-digit number. Four modified Pullmans served as the original prototype "Ward" cars. As the war progressed the demand for additional hospital cars grew.
These demands exceeded the availability of Pullman cars, so any available cars were purchased. Daniel Jackling's private car Cyprus II, Nevada Northern's No. 100 (3rd), was one of the 32 non-Pullman cars obtained by the Army for hospital train service at this time. Ten of these were converted by ACF to "Ward-Dressing" cars: 9 Northern Pacific observation lounge cars (USA 89024-89032) and 1 Nevada Northern "business" car (USA 89033). In 1944, and again in 1945, the Army ordered an additional 100 "Hospital Unit Cars". However, these were newly constructed by ACF and numbered USA 89300-89399 and USA 89400-89499, respectively. |
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The floor plan drawing below is based on a specific style of Pullman car in both length and window arrangement. As these may not correspond to those of Cyprus II, the drawing must be considered representative of the arrangement and principle features of the of the "Ward-Dressing" cars.
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Click on the image below for a large version showing details.
1943 Ward-Dressing Car Drawing
created by and from the collection of |
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ACF
photographs of WW-II 1943 Ward-Dressing car USA 89027
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These
photographs are truly representative of the interior of USA 89033 (ex-Cyprus
II) upon its conversion to a Ward-Dressing Car by ACF in 1943.
The exception is the exterior photo — Cyprus II had
a different window arrangement — but it gives a general representation
of the outward appearance of USA 89033.
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 ACF photo CR-1753 Neg.61174-K |
Receiving
Bay. Wide
side doors on both sides to load litter patients; cabinet for surgical
instruments and supplies; instrument serilizer; surgical sink; doors to
ward; rolling surgical table in stowed position with medical supply cabinets
above.
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 ACF photo CR-1753 Neg.61174-H |
Lavatories,
opposite the toilet. At right, Utility Room for cleaning and storing
bedpans and urinals. At left, storage locker, Nurse's desk and
records file cabinet.
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 ACF photo CR-1753 Neg.61174-E |
Ward
viewed from the Receiving Bay. Near right, bunks folded up for
cleaning the floor; just beyond, upper bunk lowered to waist height to
facilitate medical car for special patients; mid-right, upper bunk
forms backrest for lower bunk used as a bench seat.
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 ACF photo CR-1753 Neg.61174-G |
Nurse's
station. Writing desk with drawers for forms and administrative supplies;
cabinet above for individual patient records; storage locker at right;
ward at left, with safety straps in place.
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 ACF photo CR-1753 Neg.61174-A-14 |
USA
89027. One
of nine Northern Pacific RR observation / lounge cars converted to Ward-Dressing
cars USA 890024-890032. The tenth car, USA 89033, was Nevada Northern
"business car" Cyprus II, the private varnish
of Col. Daniel Cowan Jackling.
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These photographs are from the collection and used with the kind permission of Major General Hugh F. Foster, Jr., United States Army (Retired). Also used with the permission of American Railcar Industries and ACF Industries. |
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Last modified 18 August,
2001 -/-
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