The exterior of Long Island Railroad commuter coach prior to beginning conversion work on February 7, 2004.

Interior of Long Island commuter coach prior to beginning of rebuild project.

First project was the removal of the seat cushions and luggage racks.

Next came the removal of the seat frames and old plastic light fixtures.

Next to be removed was the center air grilles from the ceiling down the middle of the car.

Now the ceiling is ready to be cleaned, sanded and then repainted. Eventually new wood ceiling panels will be fabricated and installed.

Then the aluminum interior trim around the windows was removed.

Next to come down was the aluminum upper wall panels. This required alot of grinding of old fasteners.

Next to be removed was the stainless steel lower wall panels and the aluminum window frames with very scratched lexan windows.

Next came the removal of the old restroom.

Then the old electrical strip heaters were removed and the old, mostly wet insulation was removed.

This is what the completely stripped interior looked like on March 4, 2004.

Exterior work began in mid-March and continued into April. Dozens of side sheet patches were required on each side of chapel car.

Close-up of window openings being made smaller on alter end of the car. Eventually these windows will have side facing stained glass.

During this time new support members needed to be welded in above the window openings.

In mid-April the first of the cut down pews were brought for a test fit. The left side will have 3 person seating and the right will have 2 person.

The fun really began with only 18 days to go before the wedding. We had a countdown sign on the wall and took pictures of each days progress.

The new window frames were being built in the tool car.

Extensive concrete repairs were necessary as the support structure under the bathroom rotted away.

A casket door was added to the side of the car adjacent to the alter to allow for funerals.

Exterior view of new door.

On May 19, 2004 the exterior finally got its' coat of Pullman Green paint.

The new concrete was poured in the floor.

And the new glass arrived for the side windows.

May 20, 2004 found additional painting done and the first of the new windows installed.

Several additional bad spots were repaired in the floor.

May 22, 2004 found the installation of the rest of the new windows and the beginning of the new electrical wiring.

May 24th saw installation of additional conduit.

The new ceiling installation began on May 26th.

The new plywood underlayment was installed with a great deal of difficulty.

May 26th also shows the walls ready for new insulation.

May 28 shows the completion of the insulation and the installation of the new wall below the windows.

Time is getting very short with the wedding now only 8 days away.

A new circuit breaker panel was installed.

New wire was finally pulled through the new conduit.

New ceiling light fixtures were installed.

New red oak wall paneling was installed above and between windows.

Good wide view of progress with only one week to go.

Time is growing very short. Time for the second shift to begin work.

The alter wall is built. Hole will accommodate the large stained glass window.

View down the new hallway behind the alter.

New oak door is installed to create closet at end of the hall.

Staining begins.

Mardell gives pews a final sanding.

Al puts together alter wall and installs doors to clergy preparation room and passageway to next car.

Josh works to shorten communion railing for front of chapel.

The various pieces of furniture are brought in to check spacing. This is the first opportunity to see what the chapel will look like.

Only four days remain and the pews finally get stained. The weather was not complimentary to this type of work.

Various pieces of trim get a couple of coats of varnish.

Walls get their first coat of varnish.

Extended family begins to arrive for the big day!

Audio/Video control room is constructed.

Breanna paints the lower walls and pew supports.

Spot lights are installed above alter.

Car is definately coming together but will it all get done in time.

Lettering is applied to exterior of the car. Now everyone in town knows what the project is about.

Stained glass is installed.

Audio system is installed and works. Now we can have some motivational music for the race to completion.

Early in the evening the first pews are brought in from the farm.

Crew worked until 4 am to get the carpet and pews in place.

View of car at 6 am on wedding day. Atleast the guests will have a place to sit.

Alter area still needs a bit of work on Saturday morning.

Almost unbelievably the ceremony took place on time at 4:15 pm on June 5, 2004. Greg thanks everyone for their assistance and welcomes the guests.