Common types of private rail cars in the USA

Although private rail cars are available in Austria, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Russia and in the UK - at least - the USA has the largest number available for private hire.

These are the main types of US private rail car hire. 

Business Car

Business cars were originally designed to be used by railroad employees.  They generally have between two and four bedrooms with one or more bathrooms, as well as separate crew cabins, a dining area for between six and ten passengers, a lounge and an open rear platform.  The illustrated rail car is the Tioga Pass.

Coach

The coach is a regular seated passenger rail car or carriage as seen on any scheduled railway, with toilets / washrooms at one end or both ends.  In the US, when used as a private rail car, the seats often have foot-rests and can be reclined. Some seats face each other, with a table between them.

Lounge

Lounge cars have armchair or other scattered seating, tables and, frequently, a bar.  The illustration shows the Northern View, which additionally has a dining area and a dome lounge.

Sleeper

In most cases, sleeper cars consist of cabins or sleeper rooms; sometimes they have open sections.  Occasionally, one or more cabins have been converted to provide catering facilities, a lounge or showers.  The plan is of the Evelyn Henry.

Sleeper / Lounge

Sleeper / lounge cars normally have five or six double bedrooms or cabins, a small buffet area, occasionally with a kitchenette, and a lounge. 

The illustration is of the J. Pinckney Henderson.