Herald-Citizen, October 27, 2025
City and county officials gathered in Monterey Monday to officially cut the ribbon on a newly restored 1940s-era railroad dining car that sits on tracks adjacent to the Monterey Depot.
“This project was interesting to say the least,” said Monterey Cultural Administrator Rafferty Cleary. “We kept the original flair of the car as much as we could, but we also modernized it a little bit. It’s heated, has air-conditioning, there’s water and sewer to it, and we’re going to have the ability to rent this thing out for birthday parties, meetings, school groups.”
He said the car will host a “Dessert Theater” that’s planned for November and will also become the site for a number of “different activities.”
“We’re going to do Snacks by the Tracks,” he said. “Food trucks will be on [site], and you’ll have the opportunity to buy your dinner and go into the train — as long as seating is available — and have your meal there and watch a movie. The opportunities are endless.”
Cleary gave credit to Heath Waters and J&S Construction for their efforts in seeing the project to completion.
“We can’t say enough about the work that they did,” Cleary said. “It was smooth, there were no issues, it was seamless.”
Waters said the project “was very unique, needless to say.”
“I’m just thankful for all the subs, the project management team [and] all the J & S team,” Waters said. “I can’t wait for everybody to come and check it out. Hopefully, for generations to come, there’ll be families getting to enjoy it.”
According to J&S, the project involved “extensive restoration and modernization … on a historic 1940s Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway dining car.”
“Once part of the golden age of American passenger rail, the car has been renewed to preserve its heritage while adapting it for modern community use,” J&S said in a newsletter. “The Santa Fe Railway was widely known for innovation in passenger travel, introducing dining cars in 1891 and later operating legendary trains such as the Super Chief and El Capitan. This dining car offers a tangible link to that history, and J&S Construction was tasked with balancing historical character and contemporary functionality in its renovation.”
Officials say work began with demolition and abatement, followed by replacement of steel and aluminum paneling, installation of closed-cell spray foam insulation, and custom wood trim and flooring. The J&S team also added a new gypcrete subfloor, “precision water-jetted” flooring in four colors, and wall carpeting for sound control.
“Booth seating provided by the Monterey Depot Museum was installed to complete the authentic dining car feel,” the company said. “Major upgrades included new casework in the café area, a hidden high-performance HVAC system, and a custom plumbing system with dual tankless water heaters.”
J&S Construction also installed a modern electrical system with LED lighting, retrofitted exterior lamp posts in a 1940s style, and added a ChargePoint EV charger outside the facility.
Modern amenities include a full audio-visual system with zoned speakers, amplifiers, Bluetooth and wired capabilities, and three TVs for presentations or community events.
“The project also replaced all windows with tempered automotive glass, refurbished gangways, applied a new roof coating, and detailed the dining car’s exterior,” J&S said. “Custom vinyl decals, donated by Mayor Alex Garcia, provide the finishing touch. With its modern amenities and restored historic character, the dining car is more than a museum exhibit. It will now serve as a versatile event space for the Monterey community. From educational programs and civic gatherings to private celebrations, the venue provides a unique setting that connects guests to both history and community life.”
For more information, visit townofmontereytn.com/monterey-depot-museum.
