Its nickname, the "Jim Crow Car", relates to the Jim Crow laws of pre-1965 United States, which allowed for separate facilities for blacks under the policy of separate but equal. A law passed on May 24, 1892, called the Separate Coach Law, specifically declared that railroad passenger cars must be segregated. It is the only preserved two wood side steel car; one of only two ever made.[4] The car is 77.5 feet (23.6 m) by 9.66 feet (2.94 m) and weighs 104,300 pounds (47,300 kg). It has a central baggage section separating two passenger sections. Each passenger section has a cast-iron stove and a bathroom. Waste from the bathrooms was deposited directly on the rails.[2]
In 1919 the L&N was forced by law to have a separate coach for blacks; often white drunks would be placed in the black car instead of one of those for whites.[3]
In 1958 the car was given to the Kentucky Railway Museum by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad.[3]
When The General of Great Locomotive Chase fame was undergoing restoration in 1962 by the L&N, the Combine Car was hooked up to The General to test how well the engine was repaired.[5] During the trips the Combine Car held several different artifacts related to the Chase for its passengers to admire.[6]
