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Thanks to one and all for the helpful information. One of the more complete descriptions was the information on the “Railfan” web site: http://forums.railfan.net/forums.cgi?board=ATSF;action=display;num=1081891703 There were excellent comments on the Classic Trains Forums, the Model Railroad General Discussion Forum, and the Model Railroad Prototype Forum. I’m posting this to all three so that no one will miss the link above. I’ve also “distilled” the various posts in the Railfan Forum—there were some comments by others in the middle of Norm Anderson’s post, and he had to post the original message in several parts—so I’ve reduced it to his full story and his list of reference material. If anyone is interested, please send me an e-mail, and I will reply with the story as an attachment. It prints out to nine (9) pages. I’ve chosen to concentrate on the consist used from 1951-1956. After 1956, the Super Chief and the El Capitan were combined, and some of the eastern cars were added. Here is basically the consist as Norm presented it: “INTO THE '50s... Just three years later (the 1948 equipment likely hadn't even been paid-off yet!) Santa Fe decided to again re-equip the Super Chief with brand-new equipment. The big news for this 1951 upgrade was the arrival of six "Turquoise Room/Pleasure Dome Lounge Cars" from Pullman-Standard. For nearly four years, these would be the only Domes into Los Angeles. Unlike most Domes before and since, which offered two-and-two seating in the upstairs Dome area, the Pleasure domes provided extra-wide, swiveling individual seats under glass. This Parlor-Car approach to Dome seating was unique to these six cars. Downstairs, the cars contained a main lounge area in the "long end", a serving bar in the "step-down" area underneath the Dome, and even boasted a private dining room (billed as "The Turquoise Room") which could be reserved in advance for private dinner parties of up to twelve guests. Pullman-Standard also provided seven companion Diners for this service. Over the next twenty years, right up to the advent of Amtrak in 1971, these Diners (Nos. 600 - 606) were paired with the Pleasure Domes, and were never, ever assigned to any other Santa Fe service. Operationally, the Pleasure Domes were run "long-end-forward", so that the Turquoise Room in the "short end" would be positioned right next to the Diner, which was operated "kitchen-forward". "Typical" Super Chief Consist, 1951 - 1956 38L EMD F-7A Locomotive [Number Boards read "38"] 38A EMD F-7B Locomotive 38B EMD F-7B Locomotive 38C EMD F-7A Locomotive [Number Boards read "38C"] 3415 Baggage Car 83 Railway Post Office 1385 San Pascal Baggage/Barber Shop/Buffet Lounge Car Palm Top Sleeping Car-- (10 Roomettes, 6 Double Bedrooms) Pine Arroyo Sleeping Car-- (10 Roomettes, 6 Double bedrooms) Regal Corps Sleeping Car-- (4 Compartments, 2 Drawing Rooms, 4 double Bedrooms) 502 Turquoise Room/Pleasure Dome Lounge Car 605 Fred Harvey Dining Car 1395 Dormitory/Club Lounge Car Regal Hunt Sleeping Car-- (4 Compartments, 2 Drawing Rooms, 4 Double Bedrooms) Regal Manor Sleeping Car-- (4 Compartments, 2 Drawing Rooms, 4 double Bedrooms) Palm Lore Sleeping Car-- (10 Roomettes, 6 Double Bedrooms) Vista Club Observation Lounge Car-- (4 Drawing Rooms, 1 Double Bedroom) This would be the last major upgrade for the Super Chief, and likely represents the high-water-mark for this service. Indeed, the six Pleasure domes and seven companion Diners would be the last new equipment delivered to Santa Fe by Pullman-Standard, although ACF and Budd would continue to supply new cars into 1964.” I realize this post is a little longer than I had planned, but I thought you might enjoy Norm’s commentary on that period as well as the consist. Again, thanks to all of you who were so helpful. I’m constantly amazed at the vast sources of information all of you possess. You remind me how much I have to learn. Pete
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