Man shows inside secretive bulletproof railcar used by US presidents before Air Force One was an option

Back in the early 20th century, the president of the United States needed a safe mode of transport, but there wasn’t a high-tech Air Force One to use.

Instead, a bulletproof railcar was utilized by the leader of the nation and staff to allow him to get to engagements.

A true time capsule, the railcar is known as Ferdinand Magellan or, more officially, US Car Number One and can even be visited today.

From special escape hatches to the president’s quarters, the car was kitted out in style and was subsequently used to give important speeches.

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In the 1940s, this was the president’s transport of choice

If the president of the US needs to travel to an important engagement or public meeting, he will often utilize the huge Air Force One plane, or even a blacked-out surveillance car, ‘The Beast’.

However, back in the mid-1940s, when the plane wasn’t an option, there was a different kind of transport method altogether.

Meet US Car Number One, which is also known as the Ferdinand Magellan railcar.

YouTuber Tom Scott took a trip to the Gold Coast Railway Museum in Miami and explored the railcar, which once housed high-profile government officials on the move.

Built in 1928 by the Pullman Company and named after an explorer, it was a perfect option to fulfill the need for a railcar that was armoured and equipped to tackle any Presidential challenges.

The Ferdinand Magellan was the first passenger car built for a president since Abraham Lincoln in 1865, according to the Gold Coast Railroad Museum.

“The railcar is the heaviest US railcar ever built; they had to build special trucks just to support the extra weight,” said Director of Training at the museum, Cully Waggoner.

The railcar was a luxury office on wheels

Luxury looked different in the 20th century, and the President traveled in serious style.

From the lounge to the toilet, every element was given thought.

The President’s quarters contained a bedroom with a fixed bed to give extra legroom, a special bathroom, and, of course, an observation lounge with plenty of seating for the President to enjoy the ride on US railroads.

There were two escape hatches, with one in the bathroom, disguised as a window, and one in the ceiling in case the railcar was to tip over onto its side.

There is a catch, though.

“The entire car is not armor-proofed, only where the President is,” Wagoner continued.

It was also never painted in the colors of Air Force One, and instead maintained a Pullman green color.

The railcar holds a huge significance too, with President Truman’s famous picture of him holding up the newspaper, taking pride of place on board.

The car enabled him to travel around 50,000 miles across the country.

You have to admit, it’s an impressive piece of both transport and US history.

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