Powhattan Arrow Observation Cars in Saudi Arabia

[mj3200]

I was watching a DVD abour N&W trains the other day and the narrator commented on a passing consist that in ssuch and such a year in the 1950's the Arrow had lost its tail observation cars which had subsequently been sold to Saudi Arabia.

Does anyone have any info on this?

Jonathan

[cnwfan51]

    Cant really answer that but I do the Saudies did buy the orginal Nebraska Zepher 4 car set to use on thire system larry

[mj3200]

See there's something else I didn't realise either.

Must see if I can root out some info on this stuff.

[dabug]

Jonathan:

Sherlock Holmes I ain't, but I knew that somewhere among 600+ issues of TRAINS I have on hand was a two-page spread of a passenger train in Saudi Arabia plainly showing one of those ex-N&W obs.  Guessing it was a 1970's issue, I finally tracked it down in the January 1972 issue (pages 48-49.) 

Therein are three pics of this train taken by a U.S. military officer (probably stationed there at the time), shot in January 1971, with accompanying text by (at that time) Associate Editor J. David Ingles.  The train is traversing a 376-mile line between Riyadh and a port, Dammam, and has a most eclectic consist.  The power is an EMD FP9 purchased new.  Next comes an old heavyweight baggage/RPO car of unknown ancestory, but obviously ex-U.S.  Following that is a Budd RDC2, also purchased new.  Then comes an ex-NYS&W 139-seat commuter car (a lightweight Budd car).  Lastly comes that ex-N&W tavern-lounge-ob. 

Two of the three pics plainly show the observation car.  The text, however, does not clearly indicate whether both N&W cars ended up in Saudi Arabia, or just this one.  Perhaps the narration on your DVD is more inclusive of that information. 

Hope this gives you a little more info to go on. 

Dave   

       

 

[mj3200]

That was just what I wanted to here. I thought either I was hearing things or the guy was making it up as he went along!

I wonder if it/they are still in one piece. The DVD wasn't too clear on whether it was one or both I'm afraid.

Jonathan

[passengerfan]

The original Denver Zephyrs that later became the Texas Zephyrs also ended up in Saudi Arabia on the same trackage as mentioned previously. This is Aramco the Arabian American Oil Co. and the line was built for oil workers and still exists today. Haven't seen what type of equipment they are using today but there was hope one of the Texas Zephyr consists might be returned to a museum in the US several years ago. Don't know whatever became of that but can guess what the cost would have been.

Al - in - Stockton 

[mj3200]

I gather from dabug that there were two tail cars for the Arrow.

I've seen one on the end of those fabled N&W trains in preservation - so I'm guessing only one was shipped to Saudi - or was that not from the Powhattan?

Again if anyone can advise I'd be obliged.

Jonathan

[dabug]

Jonathan:

Indeed there were two tail cars built for the Powhatan Arrow: a daily schedule required two sets of equipment.  Those pictures from Saudi Arabia in the Jan. 1972 issue of TRAINS leave no doubt the obs shown there is ex-N&W based on the window configuration and count.

If you are thinking of the round-end ob that once graced the N&W and NS steam excursions, that was an ex-Illinois Central car, named Mardi Gras. 

Dave 

 

 

 

[BigJim]

N&W streamlined observation cars were numbered 581 & 582.

[mj3200]

Thanks for filling in the blanks, fellas.

Jonathan

[doctorwayne]

If you are thinking of the round-end ob that once graced the N&W and NS steam excursions, that was an ex-Illinois Central car, named Mardi Gras. 

Dave 

I suppose that's this car?

 

I caught it near Grimsby, Ontario, in 1976 I believe.  It was running behind CNR 6060, and in company with what appeared to be an ex-Southern car:

Wayne 

[al-in-chgo]

So I'm guessing that the passenger-carrying RR companies did not wind up selling ALL their varnish to Amtrak.  Seems like people in other lands with money to spend got some nice stuff! 

(And for those of us who did not grow up along premium routes, the rolling stock that the remaning passenger trains were using pre-May 1971 could be pretty shoddy indeed!)  - a.s.