Inside the Ferdinand Magellan: The Presidential ‘White House on Wheels’ That Preceded Air Force One

The Ferdinand Magellan—also designated US Car No. 1—served as the U.S. president's mobile residence and secure transport from 1943 to 1954. Rebuilt by Pullman at the Secret Service's request during World War II, the armored railcar combined presidential comforts with serious security upgrades and earned the distinction of being the only passenger railcar named a National Historic Landmark.

Origins and presidential service

The refurbished car was presented to President Franklin D. Roosevelt on December 18, 1942. Measuring 84 feet long, 10 feet wide and 15 feet tall, the Magellan was sheathed in more than a half-inch of nickel-steel armor and fitted with 3-inch laminated bulletproof glass. After conversion, its weight reached roughly 285,000 pounds—substantially heavier than many modern armored vehicles.

FDR used the car frequently for trips between Washington, D.C., and his Hyde Park home, logging more than 50,000 miles aboard the Magellan. He insisted the train not exceed about 35 mph when he was aboard. His final ride in the car was on March 30, 1945, en route to Warm Springs, Georgia.

Truman, Eisenhower and later uses

Although the Magellan was tailored to accommodate Roosevelt—including modifications for his wheelchair—Harry S. Truman relied on it most in the postwar years. Truman favored faster speeds (often around 80 mph) and famously used the car during his 35-day, coast-to-coast whistle-stop campaign in 1948, delivering roughly 356 speeches from the Magellan’s rear platform. Dwight D. Eisenhower presided during the transition to routine presidential air travel, and the Magellan left regular service in 1954. It was brought out of retirement for a one-day whistle-stop tour in Ohio by Ronald Reagan in 1984.

Security and communications

Security upgrades made the Magellan a moving fortress: armored plating, thick bulletproof glass, multiple escape hatches and strict rail-protection protocols. At times no train was permitted to run ahead of or behind the presidential consist for at least 30 minutes. The Magellan also traveled with supporting cars that housed the Secret Service, White House staff, reporters and dedicated communications cars equipped with radio and telegraph consoles so the president could remain in contact while on the move.

Interior layout and amenities

The car was designed as a compact but fully functional White House on rails. Key interior features included:

• A kitchen and staff quarters for a chef and a porter, complete with ovens, refrigerators and a full-size metal sink.
• A main dining and conference area anchored by a six-foot solid mahogany table and a set of presidential china bearing the presidential emblem.
• A presidential suite designed to accommodate Roosevelt’s wheelchair, with a full-size bed, dresser, private (connecting) bathroom and an in-room telephone—an uncommon convenience at the time.
• Two guest staterooms with convertible berths and en suite facilities; one guest room hosted high-profile visitors such as Winston Churchill during his 1946 U.S. visit.
• An enlarged observation lounge at the rear that served as a reception area and platform for public addresses.

Ventilation relied on sealed windows and a primitive form of air conditioning consisting of fans blowing air cooled by blocks of ice.

Preservation and public display

Declared surplus in 1958 and briefly under Smithsonian stewardship, the Ferdinand Magellan was transferred to the Gold Coast Railroad Museum in Miami in 1959. The car remains on display in South Florida. The museum generally operates on a limited weekly schedule; visitors should check the museum’s official site for current hours and ticketing. Admission to the museum is modest, with an additional fee commonly charged for the presidential car tour.

Over the decades the Magellan has endured weather and wear: Hurricane Andrew in 1992 caused minor damage, and the observation lounge still shows evidence of a cracked window. The car sits on track that remains connected to active rail lines, and the museum preserves it in a condition that allows ceremonial use if requested by a sitting president.

Legacy

The Ferdinand Magellan stands as a striking reminder of how the commander in chief once governed and campaigned while traveling. Its combination of luxury, functionality and security captures a unique chapter in presidential transportation history—one that bridges the era of heavyweight rail travel and the jet age represented by Air Force One.