Fairfield Nebraska McKeen Motor Car at St. Joseph and Grand Island Railroad Depot Real Photo Postcard

Train Car No. 111, with its distinctive rounded ends and numerous porthole-style windows, represents an early form of self-propelled railcar or motor car. These units emerged in the early 20th century, particularly between the 1900s and 1930s, as a cost-effective alternative to traditional steam locomotive trains for light passenger and express services, especially on branch lines. Their design, often featuring a streamlined aesthetic for the era, showcased attempts at efficiency and modernity in railway transport before the widespread adoption of full streamlining.