Hello everyone:
March, 2021
For FEBRUARY, 2021 we will continue our tour all over North America by train with the diner in tow rather than being stuffed into a stub-end siding in some railroad yard we'll be out on the Main Line traveling the rails and seeing the sights!
Please join in and suggest or contribute ideas for locations or trains to ride in your favorite locale.
Time to move the Diner. This month we are going to place the diner in several locations. Each one will be a place where diners were built. Hopefully we can find enough pictures and information to make this entertaining.
First, I thought it would be interesting to learn a bit about the history of dining cars:
The dining car's heritage can be traced back to the industry's earliest days. However, as a stand-alone service the car joined did not find widespread use until the late 19th century, thanks to George Pullman's vision. While this car was originally designed only to keep passengers happy during their long journey by train during the streamliner era many of the railroads' flagship trains like the Capitol Limited, Broadway Limited, Super Chief, City of Los Angeles, Empire Builder, and others were serving dishes that would rival the best five-star restaurants from coast-to-coast. Dining aboard these trains became an experience into itself and many passengers rode their trains simply for the food!
Today, some of these dishes continue to be offered at restaurants or on certain excursion trains. While Amtrak continued to serve prepared meals on board after its 1971 start-up, today that is no longer the case with the diner being replaced by snack cars and vending machines.
Interestingly, for years dining cars were not even part of passenger train consists. Prior to the late 19th century virtually no passenger train offered on board dining services. To make up for this lack of service railroads would allow passenger to deboard during stops for water if there were nearby restaurants/roadhouses. Often, this food was sub-par, at best. Because western railroads were built through some of the most sparsely populated areas of the United States, during the latter half of the 19th century it was they who first offered dedicated cars which offered dining services. As John White, Jr. notes in his book, "The American Railroad Passenger Car (Part 1)," the diner was one of the very last cars to join the long-distance passenger train consist. Its emergence is a stepped process that involved a series of events from the industry's earliest days until George Pullman finally unveiled the "Hotel Car" after the Civil War.
Head-End Equipment
Coach Cars
Lounge Cars
Dome Cars
Sleeping/Bedroom Cars
Observation Cars
Ironically, the dining car was first spoken about before a single mile of railroad was ever built in the United States. In 1819, Benjamin Dearborn a printer, industrialist, and inventor wrote in his 1819 memorial to the U.S. Congress that he believed a network of railroads should be constructed that offered the choice of on-board meals. In 1835, less than a decade after America's first railroad was put into service (Granite Railway) and just a few years following the Baltimore & Ohio's inaugural run (America's first common-carrier), the Philadelphia & Columbia Railroad tested the Victory, an eight-wheel testbed car that was essentially the first buffet car. Along with seating it contained a counter and shelves at one end for food service. While meals were not prepared on-board they could at least be enjoyed during the trip.
When the first true sleeping car entered service in 1838 on the Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad the media believe it was only a matter of time until a true dining car was to follow. In January 1853, only weeks after the B&O opened its original main line to Wheeling, Virginia the railroad offered "refreshment cars" during the initial runs. These are just a few of the examples of the initial concepts related to on-board food service. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, they were isolated incidents that were not repeated on an industry-wide scale. It is somewhat ironic considering the ties food held with long-distance travel. It was George Pullman, who sought to fill a void in rail travel comfort (first-class sleeping accommodations) which led to the first true dining car, the "Delmonico" unveiled in 1868. The so-called "Hotel Car" eventually led to a network of some 1,700 diners in service during the height of rail travel.
From the earliest designs the layout of dining cars have remained relatively unchanged. The car is typically split in half with the front section featuring the main dining area with tables and seating while the back section featuring the galley, which is off-limits to passengers. By the time of the streamliner era dining cars became a unique experience aboard some trains, even outside of the food. For instance, on board the Union Pacific's City fleet of passenger trains (the City of Los Angeles, City of Portland, City of San Francisco, City of Denver, City of St. Louis, and City of Salina) the railroad offered domed dining cars with the seating located in the upper domed area of the for breathtaking views of the passing countryside while enjoying your meal. And, of course, the dining itself during the peak of the passenger train travel in the streamliner era was legendary aboard some trains.
It is said that the meals offered on the PRR's Broadway Limited and NYC's 20th Century Limited rivaled, and perhaps outmatched, those found in the finest restaurants of New York City at the time. On the Baltimore & Ohio the food was so exemplary, even up until the beginning of Amtrak, that the railroad found many passengers returning simply for the meals (an experience which many who rode the B&O remember fondly to this day). Interestingly, the Santa Fe was one of the last major railroads to hold out in offering on board dining car services. Instead, located along its Chicago-Los Angeles main line were what was known as "Harvey Houses", essentially restaurants catering mostly just to passenger train patrons. The food offered at these establishments was second-to-none and their legend remains even today.
However, when the AT&SF did finally decide to offer dining cars as part of its passenger train consists it constituted only the best of services. During the streamliner era the railroad offered dining in its "Turquoise Room" which also offered dining in a dome car. The car, which was part of the famed Super Chief, used authentic Native American (many of which depicted the Navajo) colors (such as turquoise and copper), patterns, and even authentic murals and paintings in the train. Other interior designs included rare and exotic woods like ebony, teak, satinwood, bubinga, maccassar, and ribbon primavera for trim through the train giving the Super Chief an added touch of one-of-a-kind elegance.
When Amtrak began operations in 1971 it also offered prepared meals aboard dining cars for years. However, by the late 1990s the national passenger carrier decided to forgo this service and replace it with snack cars and vending machines, a decision quite disappointing to passengers and patrons. Today, however, you can still treat yourself to real, prepared meals aboard trains if you visit one of the many tourist lines around the country. Some of the more well known such railroads offering these services include the Grand Canyon Railway, Napa Valley Wine Train, and Strasburg Railroad.
*Article is taken from American-Rails.com
https://www.american-rails.com/
Where Shall We Start?
There have been numerous passenger car builders over the last 180+ years. Some famous names come to mind like Pullman, Budd and the Canadian Car Foundry, but Pullman was the first to make the dining car a dedicated fixture on long distance trains. Let's start there.
Pullman
In 1880 George Pullman started construction of his own dedicated railcar manufacturing town, appropriately named Pullman, 14 miles south of Chicago. In addition to building the factories, he also built rental housing for the workers and all the necessary modern ammenities. Pullman was not some cheap little mining town. The workers' houses were comfortable and modern, and included gas, indoor plumbing, running water, sewers, and regular garbage removal. The ammenities in the town were quite impressive. This building is called 'The Arcade'. I couldn't determine its purpose but it was certainly built in the grand style of the time.
This is the Pullman factory circa 1893:
That's all I'm going to start with for now. I'm going to try to find some pictures of the Pullman dining cars for the next post.
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Here are some pictures of the dining areas and galleys in Pullman dining cars:
Between services. Car circa 1915:
Christmas time? Note the party crackers on the tables and the decorations:
An old Pullman diner. The workmanship is incredible:
Where the delicacies were created:
Simply beautiful!
An observation lounge:
For those of you who would like to detail the galley interior:
Menu circa 1892(?):
Is that Ed?
This galley has had a little use:
What a place to have dinner!
A little less formal:
Bear, ask and ye shall receive!
More to come!
Dave,
Well done-!, well done--!!
herrinchoker
Ed: Thank You for doing such a great job with the Diner for the past two months. The tour was wonderful
Dave: Thank you for the fantastic opening of the new diner for march.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Even though I have said it before, I was remiss by not starting the March Diner with a shout out to Ed for the excellent hosting job that he did in January and February.
Thanks Ed!!
hon30critterBear, ask and ye shall receive!
hon30critterIs that Ed?
No but this is:
P1100032 by Edmund, on Flickr
The things we do to get free train rides!
C&O_3_1974B_edited-1 by Edmund, on Flickr
Thanks again to everyone who rode along on our circuitous journey! Glad you fellows enjoyed it. I gained about ten pounds!
You're pulling out all the stops on the very first day, Dave! Great job
Now, back to that Century Dinner Salad
Cheers, Ed
Good morning all. A frosty morning. Hopefully the sun warms things up soon.
A great start, Dave.
My first trip on a Pullman train was about 1952. We were traveling from Leeds to Newcastle and we boarded 'The North Briton'. The decor was something 'out of this world' compared to the austerity we were living after the war. Food rashioning was still in force in the UK, yet meals on the train were plentiful. Watching the passing scenery on a full stomach was a delight.
Coffee time. With Muffins. Help yourself The Blueberry one is mine.
Thoughts & Peace to All who Require
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
Good morning
I'll have the early Dining Car Special please
Crazy Minnesota! Sunday it was almost 50 degrees, and yesterday it was chilly with snow flurries all day. A spring teaser as I would call it
Thanks for starting the new Diner off Dave Just jumped aboard and getting settled here. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Thanks for the wonderful job you did on the Diner the last 2 months Ed Appreciated -&- Enjoyed!
Well, I got done dealing with some family issues last week. Not to go into detail but things got ironed out, I made sure of that. Brent, Charlie, Ed, Dave, John and anyone else I may have forgot, Thanks for your support!
Starting the week off here with some custom cabinetry continuation on my layout benchwork, Down in the Boiler Room I'll post some pictures later or start another thread, ...Who knows? I just hope that one monster I thought I saw out of my profile vision isn't down there anymore
Have a great day gentleman
TF
Good morning, and happy March First.
Ed ..... Again many thanks to you for hosting Jeffrey's Diner in January and February.
Dave Critter ..... Thanks for starting the March thread. Dining Cars is a great idea for a theme this month.
Assuming it is okay with everybody, I'll post some pictures of Diner Cars on my railroad this month. I have several full diner cars and I have a few cars that are half diner car and half parlor car.
The picture below is a model I built of a Burlington modernized heaveyweight dining car. The prototype was equipped with thermopane windows.
The railroad acquired several streamlined stainless steel cars made by Budd in the 1940's and 1950's for its Zephyr passenger trains. Also, older cars were upgraded to work on secondary passenger trains. They were painted silver to more closely match stainless steel cars. The railroad attempted to apply shadow striping to resemble fluted stainless steel, but that was not successful. Thereafter, such cars were simply painted silver.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Good morning, diners. I guess our regular waitresses are taking a month off and we'll be served by actual dining car waiters.
Thanks, Ed, for the last two months of travel, and thanks, Dave, for taking this months dining car journey.
TF, I'm glad everything worked out. Family issues are never pleasant.
My first dining car experience was on UP's City of Portland. I was pretty young traveling with my mother to visit my sick grandfather in Tacoma, WA. We slept two nights in the coach seats, but my mother splurged and had us eat in the dining car. She had to explain to me what the little bowl of water on the table was used for. What a great trip.
Hope everyone, including those facing health issues, has a good day today.
York1 John
I asked my doctor if I gave up delicious food and all alcohol, would I live longer? He said, "No, but it will seem longer."
Heartland Division CB&Q
In what city was this photo taken?
I never realized that the prototype actually had a ground throw that almost looks exactly like the Caboose Industries item.
Morning all.
Back from the Southern Command, drove thru some nasty thunderstorms on the way home in the Missouri Bootheel.
Garry, I missed your good news about the tumor, great to hear, nice diner cars too.
lots of stuff going on at work. we are looking to hire another position and going thru group internviews. I think we have it narrowed down. Note to those who want a job, don't show up for interviews dressed like you just woke up on a park bench in central park. That person went to bottom of list.
Dining cars were not a feature of the railroads where I grew up, being all commuter lines. So, I've only eaten in dining cars 3 times, and two were permanently parked cars simply used as dining rooms. The first was an old diner used at the Iron Horse restaurant, a place in the ski town of Newry, Maine. The second was a car at a restaurant near here in Delaware called The Salted Rim. I suspect it was actually just an old coach that had been renovated.
We did get to ride in an in-service diner on the Cape Cod and Hyannis Railway, a tourist line on Cape Cod. Delicious food, but only a short trip. The conductor told us the car had been part of a consist on the Illinois Central that ran as the City of New Orleans.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Good evening Diners. I have been running a few trains, whilst Dawn has been to exercise classes to strengthen her legs to help her walk. It was all done by a zoom meeting.
Chinese Chicken Curry with Fried Egg Rice and Potato Wedges.
Hello Railfans!
Top of the day to yas! Starting out pretty fair here.... cloudy - overcast, and calling for rain which im sure there is 100% chance of no chance! A half mast humbug day for sure.
Critter Dave) WOW, that was a heck of a hole-shot starting off the month like that. Took me 30 minutes to read past the front door . Excellent! You picked a very good subject. Your posted pics are excellent too - look at how ornate some of those cars are! But are you gonna be able to keep Ed in that white tux all month?
( My mystic eye is forseeing many food fights ahead should the 'animals' be let in )
In general) Again, my best get well wishes to those who are suffering. Better weather and better views are coming!
Not much going on in the train room so to say. Did a little puter work on my inventory program last night. Prolly do more of the same tonight.
Have a wonderful evening folks!
Green Lights!
Douglas
Good evening, everybody ....
maxman In what city was this photo taken? I never realized that the prototype actually had a ground throw that almost looks exactly like the Caboose Industries item.
Maxman .... Thank you ...... It's the city of Heartland.
MLC ..... Thanks for your comment about my news.
....
Here is another modernized heavyweight car I built. It is a diner / parlor car. So, half of the car is a diner while the other half has parlor seats.
In all my years of "train watching" I often saw one of the cooks "looking things over" as the diner was passing through the station or passing another train:
rn1-436 by George Hamlin, on Flickr
P-C_1000 by Edmund, on Flickr
Always a friendly wave or a "How ya' doin'?" as the car passed by. A long-standing ritual.
I had to replicate this on my layout.
PRR_diner by Edmund, on Flickr
The above cars are ones that were built by Budd for service on Pennsy's "Blue Ribbon" fleet. In later years the Tuscan paint was stripped off. I did the same and repainted them with AlcladII. I could never figure out why Walthers never offered this later "bare-stainless" version. It would be appropriate for late PRR, Penn Central and Amtrak.
If I were to add up all the available diner chairs I have for my little HO people i'm sure it would number close to 500. Maybe more! I do have an affliction toward collecting diners
I hope everyone is doing well this first day of March
Welcome back, TF
Good evening diners.
I received a nifty little gem in the mail today. I finally have an Athearn Hustler. I saw this one come up for sale and bought it instantly. It has the rare gear drive conversion installed.
The description said it ran erratic and needed repair. It runs fine. It does draw a lot of current (1.2A) and makes some noise.
I think it is the original Athearn motor. I am not familiar with the ins-and-outs of the gear drive conversion. I have a small Sagami can motor that might get installed one day.
I spent the day putting on layer two of mud in the dining room and the ceiling repair patches.
Nothing else to report.
The World Is A Beautiful Place.
SeeYou190I received a nifty little gem in the mail today. I finally have an Athearn Hustler.
Hi Kevin,
There's an opportunity for a nice model!
One of my first purchases when I got into model railroading years ago was a Tyco switcher with a pancake motor. I didn't have a clue about what I was buying. I was probably attracted by the price.
I also didn't know much about how to lubricate a locomotive, other than the fact that it needed to be done every so often. I proceeded to oil it liberally. What I ended up with was a diesel with lots of smoke and the accompanying stink of something electrical burning! I thought it was hilarious because I immediately recognized what I had done wrong.
I started to detail it but I soon realized that it wasn't worth the effort. For one thing, the locomotive is too big. I haven't done anything with it since but I still have it. If I ever get a table at a train show, I'll pawn it off on some unsuspecting newbie.
Have fun with your new "gem".
The dreaded words "What do you have?" were heard--followed by a brown dog racing at high speed from the kitchen to the living room. Puppy poop patrol starts, if any components from a 4-8-4 show up, off to the vet we go---The 4-8-4 is now a 3-5-1, only one side rod, two gears, a very small nut, part of a motor, and only part of the upper half of the boiler. A sad looking pile of parts to say the least. Dame Agatha not fazed the least. All four of the passenger cars, and the tender are on the rails, just missing the 4-8-4.
The list grows, two pair of sneakers, one pair of boots, pair of ski mobile boots, (wife's), corner of coffee table, jacket sleeve, towels, face cloths, bed covers, (assorted). If the dog wasn't so birdy, delivering to hand, steady to shot, I do believe that I would have some new very furrey brown slippers. Her saving grace is she is completely without guile--and picks upon my emotion, knowing when the joints are not functioning as they should, being very gentile around me..which I appreciate.
Temp. on the down swing, hit 44F today, supposed to have a wind chill of -14 by the AM. Very strong NW wind at present, have the stove choked full of dry oak, running a 1/2 front and back draft, and in the dark can see a dull pink glow on the side of the stove. The next four days are to be below normal temp. wise.
Bruse on my butt some how has migrated to my ankle, and it is turning into various and interesting colors. I looked at my backside in a full length mirror, the word baboon comes to mind, although the blue isn't as bright, more of a dusty color.
My next chore is to repair the control rod for the snow blower chute that was bent when it flipped over backwards as I was cresting the top of the hill. Definately will be making an alternative path to bring the machine back to the top of the hill.
Hope all are dry, warm, well fed. Prayers to those in need. Best to all.....
herrinchokerThe list grows, two pair of sneakers, one pair of boots, pair of ski mobile boots, (wife's), corner of coffee table, jacket sleeve, towels, face cloths, bed covers, (assorted).
My youngest daughter's cat destroyed this door trim. She never damaged anything else, just this one door, and just in one spot.
This will give you an idea of how large the Pullman factory was:
War time production at the factory:
Inside the Pullman factory:
Is that a diner car in the front?
The Pullman offices:
More war production:
Heavy machinery:
I'll try to find more pictures of the inside of the factory. Stay tuned.
Here is a history of the Pullman Standard Company:
The Pullman Company, from its humble beginnings in the late 1860s by George Pullman, became the face of the passenger train industry during the Golden Age of rail travel through the first half of the 20th century. The company became famous for its passenger train cars, especially its sleeping cars, although during the peak of rail travel during the streamliner era of the 1930s several railroads chose Pullman to equip their entire trains (and many railroads were proud of this fact by stating that their trains were "All Pullman" equipped). Pullman began facing stiff competition in the market when the Budd Company and their famed stainless-steel streamlined equipment hit the rails, most notably on the Santa Fe's Super Chief and El Capitan trains.
As is perhaps to be expected, the Pullman Company died with the privately operated passenger trains and mostly ceased to exist by the late 1960s (although the company attempted to entire the freight car market it was only marginally successful). As far fetched as it seems you can again experience classic Pullman services thanks to Pullman Rail Journeys.
The Pullman Company has its beginnings in February of 1867 (originally known as the Pullman Palace Car Company) by George Pullman who was tired of riding on long train journeys with nothing but an uncomfortable bench seat to ride on the entire way and no type of sleeping arrangements. Pullman essentially created the market of sleeping arrangements aboard passenger trains when set up his company a few miles outside of Chicago, Illinois in a newly incorporated town (created in 1880) known as Pullman (everything in the town, including the homes, were all company owned).
Dining Cars
Pullman's original sleeping cars were not the well remembered full/half bedroom arrangements that would come later in the 1930s and onwards, they were simple multipurpose "berths" whereby the seats could be laid out into a bed during the night. These types of early sleeping car arrangements were quite common for years although Pullman's early cars became just as famous for their luxurious interior decor as for the bedding they provided. In 1900 the Pullman Palace Car Company was renamed simply the The Pullman Company to oversee the corporation's numerous acquisitions it had gained over through the latter 1800s. The Pullman Company would eventually become the parent corporation to several subsidiaries (all owned by the parent), such as the Pullman Car & Manufacturing Company which actually built the passenger cars.
Throughout the company's existence building wooden cars of the 19th century to the steel heavyweights of the early 20th century Pullmans were always painted a dark, forest green (there is actually a color called Pullman green, and is still used today by model railroaders), unless specified by a railroad. However, that changed in the 1930s when Pullman broke into the lightweight, streamliner era. The company built its last heavyweight in 1931 and following the debuting of several streamliners in 1934 and beyond Pullman built and painted their cars to match the train's colorful livery. The year of the streamliner in 1934 also saw the Pullman Company's manufacturing division change its name to the Pullman-Standard Car Manufacturing Company when it merged the Standard Steel Car Company into its operation that year. Eight years later, in 1944, Pullman saw significant changes to its operations. It was forced to sell off its passenger car operating division as the US Department of Justice claimed anti-trust violations were occurring by the company having both operating and manufacturing operations.
Pullman eventually sold its operating division to 57 Class I railroads but continued to manufacture passenger cars under its Pullman-Standard division (the parent company remained Pullman, Inc.). The Pullman Company operating division had been a trademark aspect of the company. Since Pullman owned its entire fleet of cars, and thus leased them to the railroads to operate within their trains, it also provided full staff and porter services. After selling its fleet to the railroads they had no use for Pullman's personnel and subsequently dropped them from the payroll providing their own on board staffs. And thus, after the breakup of Pullman the company solely built cars no longer providing services aboard them.
While increased sleeping services began to take hold in the first part of the 20th century, new innovative designs and layouts during the streamliner era meant passengers had a wide range of options to choose from regarding their sleeping arrangements. Instead of simply the option of a berth most Pullman-built sleeping cars on board famous trains like the 20th Century Limited, Super Chief, and Empire Builder carried the choice of a berth, roomette (somewhat like a berth but it also was a small enclosed room with more privacy), or a full bedroom (which featured, among other things, a full private bath).
The 1950s were truly the last profitable times for the Pullman Company. Already receiving stiff competition from Budd since the mid-1930s, during the '50s most railroads ordered their final car fleets as the writing was on the wall that passengers were ditching trains for automobiles. With few orders during the 1960s its not surprising that the railroad aspect of the company ended operations at the end of December, 1968 with all assets dissolved the next day, January 1, 1969. While aspects of Pullman continued on through the 1980s, and some of which remain even today, as a builder of passenger train cars and part of the railroad industry, this all ceased by the beginning of 1969.
Following the end of Pullman service it was presumed we would never get to experience the days of friendly porters, elegant full-course dining, full bedrooms, observations, and domes again. Incredibly, however, it was announced in 2012 that a new company known as Pullman Rail Journeys owned by short line conglomerate Iowa Pacific Holdings would be bringing back and has now been established. As of now the company has a select fleet of restored equipment which it plans to run on just a few Amtrak trains. If the traveling public shows growing interest in the return of Pullman services expect the company to grow its fleet and add cars to additional Amtrak trains.
I was starting to wind down for the day thought Id stop by an raid the fridge before i go a few rounds with the sandman.
Critter Dave) Awesome shots of Pullman. Better pass Ed a mop. Love the 'inside factory' shots!
HerrinChoker) I forsee a username change in your future from Herrin to Dog. Very sorry to hear that bit of news.
Kevin) So you decided on a lil Histler instead of the Brass bummer? Or are you still teetering on the decision?
Have a good night all! See yall tomarow prolly.
Yard Limit!
hon30critterIs that a diner car in the front?
I think the first 5 (?) are Pullman Gallery Cars built for commuter service,
Hi Bear,
Okay, your explanation makes sense. When I first looked at them I didn't see the upper row of windows. Obviously they are a bi-level car.
Thanks,
Good morning all.
Cats and dogs. We had cats most of our married life. One of them was tough. Boy was he tough. Dog walkers would make a wide detour rather than pass him as he glared at them.
He would often stop car drivers from going down the street. His arched back on defiance because he had been disturbed.
Some days he would lift the lid off the fish tank and started 'plodging up and down'. He never tried to catch any fish. Just loved the water.
Taking Dawn to the Hospice for treatment, so that is the day taken care of.
Early coffee time with biscuit
Good Morning. Tuesday already!
Thanks for heading up this months Diner activities, Dave Great job!!!
I think the first 5 (?) are Pullman Gallery Cars built for commuter service, Dave.
The C & NW did add an extended-height roof to two of its smooth-side diners so they would "blend-in" with the Pullman gallery cars. Tough to find photos of them.
http://skytopmodels.com/bileveldiner.html
I rode those cars several times in Chicago and when Kato made them in HO I picked up a few:
IMG_5641 by Edmund, on Flickr
OK, no crabbing about the NYC Mohawk One of the "Show Me Something requests was for a steam powered bi-level train and this is what I made up. I usually have an E7 on there. I added sound to the cab car so when in the "push" mode I have a horn and bell on the forward cab car
Here's a look at "wrapping" the roof panels:
Trains_BuildingCar002 by Edmund, on Flickr
The 1880s Pullman Administration building suffered a huge fire in december 1998.
Pullman_Admin-Ill by Edmund, on Flickr
It was gutted. Through great effort much of the building has been somewhat restored:
A little something to go with your coffee this morning: