Former Fall River McDonald’s train will soon have new life and become an active dining car

Many Fall Riverites of a certain age have fond memories of the train car that graced the McDonald’s location at 44 William S Canning Blvd. Soon it will be making more memories in a different capacity.

The Newport & Narragansett Bay will be restoring the former Fall River McDonald’s car to operation using parts from Bernie’s Diner Depot railcar in Chicopee, MA. The Bernie’s car is also being saved and moved to Chester, MA despite having parts removed.

Once completed the N&NB car will have one of the most unique stories of being in use on ATSF and Amtrak to being used at a McDonald’s then being brought back to life with parts from another diner car.

The train had been a Fall River landmark since it first arrived on a trailer in 1982. At one time it had seating so you could eat in it. It was removed during a renovation in 2018.

Old Colony and Newport Railway says that the former McDonald’s car is waiting for new trucks, and it is sitting on blocks in Melville.

The train car is expected to host dining once again in service out of Newport.