A Classic REAL Trains 'n Traction FOTO site!

[passengerfan]

Good Morning Tom and Lars sorry I/m late this Am but what can you expect from those on the left coast.

How about this for today's theme IC. Trulky a remarkable RR and knew how to operate streamlined trains rebuilding many cars in their own shops from older heavyweights.


ILLINOIS
CENTRAL Streamlined Dining & Lounge Cars
(IC)
by Al

The Illinois Central known as the Mainline of Mid-America for its route that paralleled the Mississippi River splitting the country in two between Chicago and New Orleans. Other routes provided service to Waterloo, Iowa and Sioux City, S.D. from Chicago. Another route connected Chicago with the state capital at Springfield and continued on to St. Louis. St. Louis to Carbondale was the connection for the PANAMA LIMITED, CITY OF MIAMI and CITY OF NEW ORLEANS.
The IC provided some of the finest streamlined trains in America beginning with the GREEN DIAMOND an articulated five-car train inaugurated May 17, 1936 round trip daily between Chicago and St. Louis via the Illinois capital at Springfield.

The GREEN DIAMOND resembled the early UP streamliners complete with turret cab and articulated consist was made up as follows.

121 Cab Power Unit with 1,500 hp Winton Diesel Engine
122 Baggage 30’Railway Post Office Car
123 56-seat Coach
124 44-seat Coach 16-seat Dinette
125 Kitchen 8-seat Dinette 20-seat Parlor 2-seat Observation

The two feature cars 124 and 125 were the last articulated cars in the two-tone green train.
Car 124 had 44-coach seats forward arranged in pairs on either side of the center aisle. The car also had two tables for four two-per side at the rear of the car. Waiters carrying the food from the trailing kitchen located in car 125 served coach passengers at these four tables.
Car 125 featured a Kitchen at the forward end of the car followed by two tables for four one either side of the center aisle for parlor car passengers. The actual parlor seating was for 18 with two other chairs sold at parlor rates if all others were sold. In the round observation end was located a desk and two additional chairs.
These cars remained as built for their entire operating career. After being replaced by a conventional streamlined train in 1947 the old articulated consist was transferred to Jackson, Mississippi operating round trip daily to New Orleans as the MISS LOU. In 1950 the articulated streamliner was transferred to Chicago where it was dismantled.

ARTICULATED 44-SEAT COACH 16-SEAT DINETTE CAR Pullman Standard April 1936 (Built for and assigned to GREEN DIAMOND)

124

ARTICULATED KITCHEN 8-SEAT DINETTE 20-SEAT PARLOR 2-SEAT OBSERVATION Pullman Standard April 1936 (Built for and assigned to GREEN DIAMOND)

125

The Illinois Central purchased two single unit American Car & Foundry built railcars for service at opposite ends of the system. Both cars were built and delivered in July 1940.
One of these cars seated 69 passengers with a small buffet and pair of restrooms and was numbered and named the 130 ILLINI and was assigned to operate a daily round trip between Chicago and Champaign, Illinois.
The other car ran in the south so featured divided seating separating the blacks and whites. This was known as Jim Crow seating. The forward coach compartment seated 37 passengers and also featured a pair of restrooms; this section was for the white passengers. The cars had a center entrance as well as an entrance at the rear. To the rear of the center entrance was a small buffet with seating for three passengers. Doors separated the buffet area for white passengers from the black coach passenger section that seated 24 with a pair of restrooms at this end of the car. This car was numbered and named 131MISS LOU and operated a daily round trip between Jackson Miss. and New Orleans, Lou.

69-SEAT COACH RAILCAR WITH BUFFET American Car & Foundry July 1940 (Built for and assigned to Chicago – Champaign Service)

130 – ILLINI

61-SEAT DIVIDED RAILCAR WITH BUFFET American Car & Foundry July 1940 (Built for and assigned to Jackson – New Orleans Service)

131 - MISS LOU

The IC next turned their attention to Florida inaugurated a streamlined seven-car coach streamliner December 18, 1940 between Chicago and Miami operating over the IC between Chicago and Birmingham, the CofG, ACL and FEC were the other partners in the service to Miami. The IC had operated a heavyweight train over this route for some time the SEMINOLE. The new streamlined coach CITY OF MIAMI did not replace the SEMINOLE; in fact the trains seemed to compliment each other. The CITY OF MIAMI operated every third day from Chicago to Miami and along with the PRR and FEC provided every day service with these two roads providing their own seven-car coach streamliners between Chicago and Miami although by different routes between Chicago and Jacksonville. The new CITY OF MIAMI operated with seven-cars with a coach seating capacity combined in five of those cars of 254 revenue seats. For those 254 passengers there were two cars devoted to meal and lounge service.
The fourth car in the CITY OF MIAMI consist was a 48-seat dining car numbered and named 4100 PALM GARDEN. This car operated in IC service until 1971 when it was retired and sold. For most of those years the car was assigned almost exclusively to the CITY OF MIAMI.
The last car in the consist was a lounge observation featuring a forward lounge with seating for 32 a large bar followed by a 22 seat lounge observation, this car was numbered and named 3300 BAMBOO GROVE. This car operated in CITY OF MIAMI service until retired and sold to the National Railroad Historical Society New Orleans Chapter in 1969.

48-SEAT DINING CAR Pullman Standard November 1940 (Built for and assigned to CITY OF MIAMI)

4100 PALM GARDEN

32-SEAT TAVERN LOUNGE BAR 22-SEAT LOUNGE OBSERVATION Pullman Standard November 1940 (Built for and assigned to CITY OF MIAMI)

3300 BAMBOO GROVE

A two-car AC&F railcar train entered service on August 28, 1941 between Chicago and Waterloo, Iowa. The two car train was named the LAND O’ CORN and operated a round trip daily. The first car was number 140 a Cab control coach configuration car seating 70 passengers. The trailing motorized trailer car number 141 had no cab control other than hostler controls at the vestibule end. Car 141 featured a 39-seat coach section followed by an 8-seat lunch counter and eight-seat dinette.
After an accident that left the engineer dead and several passengers injured the IC withdrew the LAND O’CORN railcar set and also withdrew the ILLINI and MISS LOU railcars replacing all three with conventional heavyweight trains, thus ended the railcar era on the Illinois Central. The cars sat idle until sold to the NYS&W and returned to AC&F for rebuilding for that road in 1946.

POWERED RAILCAR TRAILER 39-SEAT COACH 8-SEAT LUNCH COUNTER 8-SEAT DINETTE American Car & Foundry July 1941 (Built for and assigned to LAND O’CORN)

141
The final new streamliner to enter service before WW II actually entered service nearly six months after the Second World War had began. In fact the lightweight streamlined PANAMA LIMITED entered service without the usual fanfare new streamliners usually began service with. The new PANAMA LIMITED train sets were all Pullman trains replacing heavyweights in overnight service between Chicago and New Orleans. Each twelve-car train had sleeping accommodations for 214 passengers.
Each 48 seat dining car was arranged with 32 dining seats at tables for four arranged in the normal manner with at each end of the regular dining area was located one booth on either side of the aisle with seating for four. There were no windows in these booth area and they were quite elegant in there appointments. The two cars built for the PANAMA LIMITED were numbered and named 4101 EVANGELINE and 4102 VIEUX CARRE. Both cars remained in service until retired and sold in 1971. They were replaced in PANAMA LIMITED service by twin unit dining cars in 1950 and operated as pool service dining cars after that going to any train that needed a dining car while its regular dining car was being shopped or often found assignment to extra trains such as troop trains etc. operating over the IC. It is known they operated in SEMINOLE service at least one winter.

48-SEAT DINING CARS Pullman Standard April 1942 (Built for and assigned to PANAMA LIMITED)

4101 EVANGELINE

4102 VIEUX CARRE

Beginning April 27, 1947 there was a new train inaugurated between Chicago and New Orleans the CITY OF NEW ORLEANS an all coach streamliner operating on a sixteen-hour daytime schedule between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi Delta. The new train carried not only coaches between Chicago and New Orleans, for many years through coaches were operated between St. Louis and New Orleans joining the main train at Carbondale, Illinois. Another connecting train brought the Louisville section to Fulton where the through coaches were added to the CITY OF NEW ORLEANS. These connections operated in both directions.
The head end cars and feature cars of the new CITY OF NEW ORLEANS were rebuilt and fully streamlined from old heavyweight coaches in the IC Burnside shops. There were also three feature cars rebuilt and streamlined for the Louisville-Fulton connecting trains, again using old heavyweight coaches. The Burnside shops actually left little more than the frame from the old heavyweight cars in the total new construction of the streamlined car body. Even the old six wheel trucks were upgraded and roller bearings were installed on all axles for high speed running. Many felt the snubbers installed by Burnside shops on these trucks gave them a smoother ride than the new four-wheel trucks built for high-speed service.
Each CITY OF NEW ORLEANS consist operated with three feature cars a 10-seat Lunch Counter 8-seat dinette and 22-seat lounge car, a 36-seat dining car and a 27-seat lounge Bar 21-seat lounge observation.
The two lunch counter dinette lounge cars were ready for service in March 1947 for the new CITY OF NEW ORLEANS trains sets. The two cars were numbered and named 4200 CANAL STREET and 4201 DE SOTO.
The two cars remained in CITY OF NEW ORLEANS service until 1971 being retired and sold at that time.

STEWARDS ROOM KITCHEN 10-SEAT LUNCH COUNTER 8-SEAT DINETTE 22-SEAT LOUNGE CARS Rebuilt and streamlined from heavyweight coaches by IC Burnside shops March 1947 (Rebuilt and streamlined for CITY OF NEW ORLEANS)

4200 CANAL STREET originally heavyweight coach 2199

4201 DE SOTO originally heavyweight coach 2204

Each new CITY OF NEW ORLEANS consist operated with a 36-seat dining car rebuilt and streamlined by Burnside shops from old heavyweight coaches. The interiors of these cars were tastefully decorated and operated in CITY OF NEW ORLEANS service until 1971 when they were retired and sold. If there was one shortcoming of the CITY OF NEW ORLEANS it was a shortage of dining car capacity. After all south of Fulton the CITY OF NEW ORLEANS if a full train carried 488 passengers. With only 36-seats available per sitting in the dining car and 18 in the Lunch counter dinette this meant he dining car crews received little break time between meals. The two 36 seat dining cars were numbered and named 4106 JACKSON SQUARE and 4107 LEE CIRCLE.

36-SEAT DINING CARS Rebuilt and streamlined by IC Burnside Shops March 1947 (Rebuilt and streamlined for assignment to the CITY OF NEW ORLEANS)

4106 JACKSON SQUARE ex IC 2807 ex IC 2299 originally IC 3782

4107 LEE CIRCLE ex IC 2806 ex IC 2298 originally IC 3779

The third feature car in each CITY OF NEW ORLEANS train set was a lounge observation rebuilt and streamlined in IC Burnside shops. These cars featured a forward lounge seating 27 followed by a large bar on one side of the car and another lounge in the rounded observation end that seated 21. Both cars were rebuilt and streamlined from heavyweight coaches and were numbered and named 3305 MARDI GRAS and 3306 AUDUBON PARK. Both cars were retired in 1971 and the MARDI GRAS operates today in charter service owned by the Roanoke Chapter National Railroad Historical Society.

27-SEAT LOUNGE BAR 21-SEAT LOUNGE OBSERVATIONS Rebuilt and streamlined by IC Burnside shops March 1947 (Rebuilt and streamlined for assignment to the CITY OF NEW ORLEANS)

3305 MARDI GRAS originally IC 2188

3306 AUDUBON PARK originally IC 2175
The feature cars built for the Louisville – Fulton CITY OF NEW ORLEANS connection numbered three. These cars made a Louisville – Fulton – Louisville round trip daily.
The three feature cars of the Louisville – Fulton connection were rebuilt and streamlined from heavyweight coaches by IC Burnside shops. One of these 3700 FULTON was a 14-seat lounge 24-seat Coach. It lasted in the connecting train until 1948 when the Louisville – Fulton connection was discontinued. In December 1949 3700 FULTON was rebuilt by Burnside shops into a 32-seat Parlor car and renumbered and renamed 3351-CAPITAL STREET at that time. It was operated between Jackson, Mississippi and New Orleans each morning in the southbound PANAMA LIMITED returning to Jackson in the northbound PANAMA LIMITED that evening. When the Parlor car service was discontinued between Jackson and New Orleans the car was transferred to Chicago – Carbondale service in the PANAMA LIMITED southbound in the evening and northbound the next morning. The 3351 CAPITAL STREET replaced the 3350 ILLINI in Chicago – Carbondale service. The 3351-CAPITAL STREET was retired in 1971 and sold.

14-SEAT LOUNGE 32-SEAT COACH Rebuilt and streamlined by IC Burnside March 1947 (Rebuilt by IC Burnside shops for Louisville – Fulton connection of CITY OF NEW ORLEANS)

3700 FULTON originally IC 2176

32-SEAT PARLOR CAR Rebuilt by IC Burnside shops December 1949 (Rebuilt and streamlined for PANAMA LIMITED service between Jackson and New Orleans)

3351 CAPITOL STREET ex IC 3700 FULTON originally IC 2176

The Louisville – Fulton connecting train also featured a 36-seat dining car nearly identical to those built for the CITY OF NEW ORLEANS. This car an IC Burnside shop rebuild was numbered and named 4108 LOUISVILLE. The 4108 LOUISVILLE operated many times in the main CITY OF NEW ORLEANS trains as a substitute when one of the regulars needed service. In fact the 418 LOUISVILLE became a reserve car for all of the trains operating with 36-seat dining cars. The 4108 LOUISVILLE was retired in 1971 and sold.

36-SEAT DINING CAR Rebuilt and streamlined by IC Burnside shops March 1947 (Rebuilt and streamlined for the Louisville – Fulton connection of the CITY OF NEW ORLEANS)

4108 LOUISVILLE originally IC 2195

The third feature car for the connecting train was 3320 PADUCAH a 24-seat coach 20-seat lounge observation. Again it was an IC Burnside shop rebuild. The 3320 PADUCAH ran in reserve service after the Louisville – Fulton connection was discontinued. The car was retired in 1971 and sold for scrap.

24-SEAT COACH 20-SEAT LOUNGE OBSERVATION Rebuilt and streamlined by IC Burnside shops March 1948 (Rebuilt for and assigned to Louisville – Fulton connection to CITY OF NEW ORLEANS)

3320 PADUCAH originally IC 2173

On March 1, 1948 the IC inaugurated a new streamlined GREEN DIAMOND operating round trip daily between Chicago and St. Louis via the Illinois state capital at Springfield. The entire consist was to have been built by Pullman Standard with the exception of head end cars. Instead as deliveries were taking longer from Pullman Standard than anticipated the IC in order to get the train in service streamlined and rebuilt the interiors of four cars in order to get the train in service as early as possible. It was originally intended that the second streamlined train on this route the DAYLIGHT would have the rebuilt heavyweight streamlined cars from the IC Burnside shops instead of the GREEN DIAMOND. The 56-seat coaches for the new GREEN DIAMOND were new from Pullman Standard.
The four feature cars were built using old heavyweight commuter coaches, little more than the center sill and floor frames was used in the construction of the new streamlined cars to be built on the old six-wheel trucks. Even the trucks were rebuilt and roller bearings installed on all axles. The Burnham shop employees were extremely capable able to match any factories new cars.
The four cars built for the DAYLIGHT by Burnham shops but assigned instead to the GREEN DIAMOND. Burnham shops completed all four cars in December 1947.
The first of these feature cars in the GREEN DIAMOND consist was 3335 GRANT PARK rebuilt and streamlined from old heavyweight coach 2169. The interior was finished with a Crew room, conductors office, Bar, 18-seat lounge 24-seat Coach. The 3335 GRANT PARK lost its crew room and conductors office in 1961 this area being converted into a lounge with seating for 10 passengers. This car lasted in IC service until 1971 before being retired and sold.

CREW ROOM CONDUCTORS OFFICE BAR 18-SEAT LOUNGE 24-SEAT COACH Rebuilt and streamlined by IC Burnham Shops December 1947 (Rebuilt and streamlined for assignment to DAYLIGHT instead assigned to GREEN DIAMOND)

3335 GRANT PARK originally IC 2169

The IC Burnside shops rebuilt and streamlined a heavyweight coach into a 36-seat dining car for the GREEN DIAMOND that was intended for the DAYLIGHT. This car was numbered and named 4109 AUGUSTE CHOUTEAU. The car operated in IC service until 1971 when it was retired and sold.

36-SEAT DINING CAR Rebuilt and streamlined by IC Burnside Shops December 1947 (Rebuilt and streamlined for assignment to DAYLIGHT instead assigned to GREEN DIAMOND)

4109 AUGUSTE CHOUTEAU originally IC 2192

The 3325 PIERRE LACLEDE another Burnside rebuild from a heavyweight coach was classed as a Parlor Tavern Lounge car. The interior contained a bar at one end of the car with tavern-lounge seating 18. The parlor section seated 16 in swivel seats eight on either side of the center aisle. This car lasted in IC service until 1971 when it was retired and sold.

BAR 18-SEAT TAVERN LOUNGE 16-SEAT PARLOR CAR Rebuilt and streamlined by IC Burnside shops December 1947 (Rebuilt and streamlined for assignment to DAYLIGHT instead assigned to GREEN DIAMOND)

3325 PIERRE LACLEDE originally IC2193

Car 3310 MARK BEAUBIEN another Burnside rebuild was a Parlor Drawing room 18-seat Parlor 6-seat lounge observation. The car operated in the GREEN DIAMOND and other IC trains until retired in 1971 and sold.

2-PARLOR DRAWING ROOM 18-SEAT PARLOR 6-SEAT LOUNGE OBSERVATION Rebuilt and streamlined by IC Burnside shops December 1947 (Rebuilt and streamlined for assignment to DAYLIGHT instead assigned to GREEN DIAMOND)

3310 MARK BEAUBIAN originally IC 2189

The Pullman Standard built feature cars originally intended for the GREEN DIAMOND finally arrived in January 1949. Since the new streamlined GREEN DIAMOND was already in service operating with streamlined feature cars built in there own Burnside shops the new Pullman Standard cars were assigned to the DAYLIGHT. The first of the new cars was 3336 FOREST PARK built with a crew room Conductors office Bar 14-seat Lounge 24-seat Coach. This car was rebuilt losing the Crew Room and conductors office in 1959 replacing these areas with ten lounge seats. The car was sold in 1971 and sold for scrap.

CREW ROOM CONDUCTORS OFFICE BAR 14-SEAT LOUNGE 24-SEAT COACH Pullman Standard January 1949 (Intended for GREEN DIAMOND instead assigned to DAYLIGHT)

3336 FOREST PARK

Another of the new cars for the GREEN DIAMOND but assigned to the DAYLIGHT was a 36-seat dining car numbered and named 4110 SHADRACH BOND. This car was retired and sold in 1971.

36-SEAT DINING CAR Pullman Standard January 1949 (Built for GREEN DIAMOND but assigned to DAYLIGHT)

4110 SHADRACH BOND

The next car in the DAYLIGHT consist was 3326 LA SALLE a Bar 18-seat tavern lounge 18-seat Parlor car. In January 1964 the 3326 was rebuilt to a Tavern Lounge Observation renumbered 3315 and reassigned to the CITY OF MIAMI pool until 1971 when it was retired and sold.

BAR 18-SEAT TAVERN LOUNGE 18-SEAT PARLOR CAR Pullman Standard January 1949 (Built for GREEN DIAMOND but assigned to DAYLIGHT)

3326 LA SALLE

The last car in the new DAYLIGHT was a 2-Parlor Drawing room 18-seat Parlor 8-seat lounge observation. This car was numbered and named 3311 FORT DEARBORN. In December 1962 this car was rebuilt to a Tavern Lounge observation and renumbered 3314 and assigned to reserve car status being assigned to any train needing a tavern –lounge observation when its regularly assigned car was in the shops. The car was retired in 1971 and sold.

2-DRAWING ROOM 18-SEAT PARLOR 8-SEAT LOUNGE OBSERVATION Pullman Standard January 1949 (Built for GREEN DIAMOND assigned to DAYLIGHT)

3311 FORT DEARBORN

TTFN Al

[siberianmo]

G'day!

This is NOT the "theme" for the day . . . .we'll let Al select that ... but while we're waiting:

PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #57

Here’s something to enjoy regarding the Southern Pacific (SP) from a 1946 advertisement in my personal collection.



Now you may choose from

5 fine, fast trains daily to
the Southwest Sun Country

ARIZONA * CALIFORNIA * TEXAS * NEW MEXICO

For your winter vacation, Southern Pacific offers the only main line train service direct to Phoenix, Tucson, Palm Springs and other Southwestern resort and guest ranch centers.

On the Golden State Route, low altitude way from Chicago to Los Angeles, via El Paso, Phoenix, Tucson and Palm Springs you may ride;

1. The Golden State Limited, with through streamlined Pullmans from Chicago, New York and St. Louis and streamlined chair cars from Chicago. Now on the fastest schedule in its history, the Golden State streaks from Chicago to Tucson in only 36 ¾ hours, Phoenix in 39 ½ hours, Los Angeles in 49 ¼ hours. No extra fare.

2. The swift Imperial, new 53-hour train between Chicago and Los Angeles, gives you an exciting 51-mile trip through Mexico, and shows you California’s sunny Imperial Valley. No extra fare.

3. The friendly Californian, popular economy train, carries coaches and tourist sleeping cars and a lounge car. Economy meal service. Through cars to San Diego.

4. The Sunset Limited, now making the run from New Orleans to Tucson and Phoenix in a day and a half, to Los Angeles in only 48 hours. No extra fare.

5. The Argonaut, carries chair cars and coaches, tourist and standard Pullmans and full lounge car. Through cars to San Diego. Fast, luxurious daily trains from principal eastern cities connect with the Sunset Limited and Argonaut at New Orleans.


Incidentally, we would like to remind you that the peak winter resort season will continue until February. Most resorts, however, will remain open until late spring. To insure getting the train and resort reservation you want, if possible try to take your trip a little later, during the less crowded months. All train and resort reservations should be made well in advance.

FOUR SCENIC ROUTES TO CALIFORNIA

1. Sunset Route

. . . . . 2. Golden State Route

. . . . . . . . . 3. Overland Route

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.Route


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S*P . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . The friendly Southern Pacific . . . .


Enjoy! [tup]

Tom [4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

G'day!

Here's a sample of my final Pix Post for the day over at the bar . . .

Switzerland: Swiss Federal Railways ICN (GNU Free Documentation)


Later . . .

Tom[4:-)] [oX)]

[siberianmo]

G'day!

Great stuff, Lars 'n Al and appreciated! Always wanted to take that trip up from Anchorage (again). First time was way back in 1959-60. In those days I believe the U.S. Army pretty much ran everything, for some of the cars were marked that way. It was a far cry from the tourist train of recent times. A great adventure, nonetheless.

See ya over at the bar for Sunday Photo Posting Day!

Tom[4:-)] [oX)]

[passengerfan]

For Lars and Tom.

Alaska
Railroad
(ARR) Dome Cars
by Al

The Alaska Railroad offers some of the most magnificent scenery in the world. Therefore it is surprising to many that the first dome cars acquired by the railroad arrived on the property in January 1972, four used Union Pacific Dome cars carrying their original owner’s numbers 7004, 7008, 7013, and 7014 but painted in the Prussian blue and yellow paint scheme of their new owner. The reason for the ARR being so late in acquiring dome cars was due to government ownership for so many years. Remember the ARR still did not own any new passenger equipment by this time all had been acquired second hand or rebuilt from surplus ex U.S. Government Hospital and Bureau of Mines cars.
The four dome cars retained their 36-leg-rest seats on the cars main level and the 24-seats in the domes. They immediately entered service in the every other day AuRoRa between Anchorage and Fairbanks. The cars were and immediate hit with the traveling public. In their first summer of operation the dome cars operated not only in the AuRoRa but also in the Seward – Anchorage trains that connected with the cruise ships. One of the former UP dome coaches 7004 was destroyed in a collision when the AuRoRa was rear ended by a freight train at Hurricane on July 6, 1975. The other three were all sent to GE at Hornell, New York during the winter of 1981 –82 for HEP installation and rebuilding that increased seating on the cars main level to 48. At this time the cars were assigned new numbers as follows.

500 ex ARR 7013 originally UP 7013

501 ex ARR 7008 originally UP 7008

502 ex ARR 7014 originally UP 7014

Beginning in May 1998 the Alaska Railroad leased the 502 to Kenai Fjords Tours in their “WILDLIFE EXPRESS”. The other two remain assigned summers to the DENALI and winters see all three operating in the Ski trains between Anchorage and Grandview.
In 1984 the Alaska Railroad turned to Amtrak for ten Budd built 46-seat leg rest dome coaches with the standard 24-seats in the dome. The ten domes were originally either former CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR or EMPIRE BUILDER cars. These cars were all assigned 7000 series numbers for ARR service.
The former D&RGW cars had been in storage since purchase by Amtrak and had never received Amtrak numbers.

46-SEAT LEG-REST VISTA DOME COACHES Budd Company January – September 1948 Purchased by the ARR in February 1984

7021 ex Amtrak 9450 ex BN 4680 originally CB&Q 4716 SILVER BRIDLE

7022 ex Amtrak originally D&RGW 1106 SILVER COLT

7031 ex Amtrak originally D&RGW 1107 SILVER MUSTANG

7032 ex Amtrak 9451 ex BN 4681 originally CB&Q 4717 SILVER LODGE

7033 ex Amtrak originally D&RGW 1108 SILVER PONY

7034 ex Amtrak 9456 ex BN 4686 originally CB&Q 4722 SILVER STIRRUP

46-SEAT LEG-REST GREAT DOME COACHES Budd Company May 1955 Leased by the ARR in April 1984
7066 ex Amtrak 9466 ex BN 4606 originally GN 1326

7072 ex Amtrak 9472 ex BN 4612 originally SP&S 1332

7073 ex Amtrak 9473 ex BN 4613 originally CB&Q 1333

7074 ex Amtrak 9474 ex BN 4614 originally CB&Q 1334

All six ARR Budd dome cars were sold to Denver Railcar in October 1986 the same year Westours and Princess Tours began operating their domes on the rear of the ARR trains. For information on the Westours and Princess Tours domes see those respective chapters. The 4-leased Budd built domes from Amtrak were returned in December 1985.
In July 1999 three HEP equipped 38-seat leg-rest seat dome cars arrived on the Alaska Railroad. These former Amtrak cars were originally SP&S and NP domes built for the NORTH COAST LIMITED. All three were converted to 38-seat cars from their original 46-seats and an ADA compliant restroom was added for the handicapped at one end. These three cars are painted in the newest ARR paint scheme and numbered 521-523. Their heritage is as follows:

521 ex Amtrak 9486 HEP conversion October 1983 ex Amtrak 9408 ex BN 4626 originally SP&S 559

522 ex Amtrak 9482 HEP conversion August 1983 ex Amtrak 9403 ex BN 4622 originally NP 555

523 ex Amtrak 9483 HEP conversion March 1983 ex Amtrak 9404 ex BN 4623 originally NP 556

The Alaska Railroad purchased at the Bankruptcy auction all nine cars of the former Florida Fun Train for a reported $3.6 million. Five of the cars can be considered dome cars as they have glass on sides extending onto the roof and are really huge curved panes of glass some of the largest ever installed on railroad equipment.
Four of these cars are Sunroom Table cars with 72-seats at tables for four numbered ARR 551-554. A fifth car is the conference room observation with seating for 39 and an open observation platform at one end. This car is numbered 2000 and carries the name AURORA. All nine of these cars operate as a train named the GRANDVIEW in twice weekly summer service between Seward and Anchorage, at other times the train operates to the Port of Whittier meeting ships at that port as well. All five of these cars were former CN baggage cars originally built by National Steel Car that were rebuilt from the frame up for the Florida Fun Train in 1997.

SUNROOM TABLE CARS

551 ex FFT C-19001 originally CN 9237 by NSC in 1955

552 ex FFT C-29002 originally CN 9269 by NSC in 1957

553 ex FFT C-39003 originally CN 9302 by NSC in 1958

554 ex FFT C-49009 originally CN 9297 by NSC in 1958

CONFERENCE ROOM OBSERVATION
2000 AURORA rebuilt for ARR in 2000

Incomplete as of today still have more entries for the ARR Domes.

TTFN AL

[LoveDomes]

Hello Tom

On my way over to the bar with my pix for your Sunday Pix Posting Day! . . .
Here's a sample:

Rounding the bend in the historic Loop District on the Coastal Classic. The Coastal Classic provides passenger service with daily summer service between Anchorage and the town of Seward. (from: www.akrr.com)


Until the next time!

Lars

[siberianmo]

G'day!

PASSENGER RR FALLEN FLAG #57

Here’s another Fallen Flag for the gang from Classic American Railroads:

Chicago Great Western Railway (CGW)

Headquarters: Chicago (moved to Kansas City)

Mileage in 1950: 1,458

Locomotives in 1963:

Diesel: 141

Rolling stock in 1963:

Freight cars; 4,490
Passenger cars: 33

Principal routes in 1950:

Chicago-Olewein, IA-Omaha, NE
Oelwein-Minneapolis
Oelwein-DesMoines, IA-St. Joseph, MO-Kansas City, MO
Clarion, IA-Mason City, IA-Austin, MN-Hayfield, MN
Osage, IA-Rochester, MN-Red Wing, MN
Red Wing-Mankato, MN
Simpson-Winona, MN

Passenger trains of note:

Blue Bird (Twin Cities-Rochester)
Great Western Limited (Chicago-Twin Cities)
Rochester Special (Twin Cities-Rochester)
Red Bird (Twin Cities-Rochester)
Legionnaire (Chicago-Twin Cities)
Minnesotan (Chicago-Twin Cities)
Mills Cities Limited (Kansas City-Twin Cities)
Nebraska Limited (Twin Cities-Omaha
Twin Cities Limited (Omaha-Twin Cities)


Enjoy! [tup]

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]

[siberianmo]

G'day!

Here are a few Pix from European trains to enjoy before I depart for the day!

France: TGV depart Gare Montparnasse, Paris (Wikimedia Commons)


BR Class 390 Virgin Valiant (from: public domain)


Eurostar at Vauxhall (GNU Free Documentation)


Enjoy![tup]

Tom[4:-)] [oX)]

[siberianmo]

G'day!

Good to see you out and about, Lars! After reading your "report" over at the bar, sounds like you surely need a break! Enjoy the night out ... you've both earned it.[tup]

Later!

Tom[4:-)] [oX)]

[LoveDomes]

Hello Tom -

So you began the "Theme" huh[?] Good one. I traveled the Southern a few times up from the Gulf to NYC, and always enjoyed the accommodations - double bedrooms and well apointed lounge cars if I recollect. Used to ship out of some Gulf ports and my "honey" would fly down and we'd take the train back up. Special times and most special way of traveling too. Really, really brings back some memories.

I won't bother with my list of names, as I have noticed that your Fallen Flags pieces generally have a much more comprehensive listing than mine. Plus, I just haven't the time to mess with it today![swg]

I'll catch ya over at the bar, that's where I'm heading .....

Until the next time![tup]

Lars

[siberianmo]

G'day!

Here's one I think you've seen before, but it "fits" with the "Theme for the Day!" . . . .

G’day All!

PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #50

Here’s something to enjoy regarding the Southern Railway (SOU) from a 1949 advertisement in my personal collection.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . THE SOUTH . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Suits to a “T” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

WHY has an average of one new factory a day located along the lines of the Southern Railway System during the past three years?

Because industries are discovering that the South served by the Southern is a “gold mine of opportunity”! With a wealth of natural resources and advantages, expanding consumer markets, skilled and willing workers . . . and a bright future . . . the South suits all industries – to a “T”.

Look Ahead – Look South!” Earnest E. Norris, President.

. . . . . . . . . . SOUTHERN RAILWAY SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Southern Serves the South . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


Enjoy!

Tom [4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

Hey Al - check this out!

Southern Railway map (1921)


Later![tup]

Tom[4:-)] [oX)]

[siberianmo]

Hello sunseeker_03

[#welcome] to the Forums! I see this is your first Post - so those of us who frequent this Thread are pleased you chose us to begin your experience.[tup]

In short order, you'll pick up on the way things are done of the Forums and one of them is to consider adding a bit of info to your Profile. It enables others to communicate with you via Email and also get an idea of "who" we're talking to (age, location, etc.)

Anyway, trains are what we talk about here - the CLASSICS (that's the idea of this partiuclar Forum). As you can see, each Forum is designed after a Kalmbach magazine infosfar as "theme" is concerned.

Tell us more about those Red Cars - who ran 'em and when did they come to and end, etc.

I was 15 in 1953 and had traveled across the country from NYC to Santa Ana by train for a Boy Scout Jamboree. What an adventure! Also, backing up a bit, I was in Long Beach back in 1947 or 48 (can't remember which) and my father put me aboard one of the Chiefs for a trip back to NYC. A "blast" indeed.

Catch ya later and enjoy our Thread. You may want to visit "Our" Place - a cyber bar 'n grill on this same Forum for adult conversations about the Classic Trains with some fun thrown in![tup]

Tom[4:-)] [oX)]

[Anonymous]

First time here. I grew up in southen california riding the red cars to the beach and down town, but my first real train ride was a trip in 1953 on the super chief from LA to Chicago. At ten years old I will never forget that trip. I still ride a train when time will permit at least 2 or 3 times a year.

[passengerfan]

I see we are staying in the Southeast great the Southern was a truly great RR.

SOUTHERN
(SOU) Streamlined Dining & Lounge Cars
by Al

The Southern Railway placed three diesel-powered seven-car coach streamliners in service March 31, 1941 between New York and New Orleans named the SOUTHERNER. The new trains operated over the PRR between New York and Washington. From Washington the new EMC diesels headed the train beyond to New Orleans via Atlanta and Birmingham. Seating capacity of the Pullman Standard built streamliners was 242. Each seven-car streamliner carried two feature cars the fourth a 48-seat dining car and the seventh a Tavern-Lounge Bar Hostess Room Lounge Observation.
The 48- seat dining cars were numbered 3300-3301 and all were named VIRGINIA.
The 32-seat tavern lounge bar-buffet- train hostess room 19-seat lounge observations were numbered 1100-1102 and all carried the name LOUISIANA.

48-SEAT DINING CARS Pullman Standard March 1941 (Built for and assigned to SOUTHERNER)

3300 VIRGINIA

3301 VIRGINIA

3302 VIRGINIA

32-SEAT TAVERN LOUNGE BAR BUFFET HOSTESS ROOM 19-SEAT LOUNGE OBSERVATIONS (Built for and assigned to SOUTHERNER)

1100 LOUISIANA

1101 LOUISIANA

1103 LOUISIANA

Less than two months later on May 18, 1941 the SOUTHERN inaugurated a new streamliner with heavyweight sleeping cars between Washington and Memphis named the TENNESSEAN. Each of these trains carried two feature cars a 48-seat dining car and tavern lounge bar buffet train hostess room lounge observation. The difference between the observations built for the SOUTHERNER and those built for the TENNESSEAN latter were blunt end observations with diaphragms. This was to permit the heavyweight sleeping cars to operate to the rear of the streamlined section of the TENNESSEAN.
The 48-seat dining cars numbered two for the TENNESSEAN; they only operated between Washington and Chattanooga. The two dining cars were numbered and named 3303 CHATTANOOGA and 3304 ALEXANDRIA.
The three blunt end observations operated between Washington and Memphis were numbered and named 1150 WASHINGTON, 1151 KNOXVILLE and 1152 MEMPHIS.

48-SEAT DINING CARS Pullman Standard May 1941 (Built for and assigned to TENNESSEAN)

3303 CHATTANOOGA

3304 ALEXANDRIA

32-SEAT TAVERN LOUNGE BAR BUFFET HOSTESS ROOM 19-SEAT LOUNGE OBSERVATIONS Pullman Standard May 1941 (Built for and assigned to TENNESSEAN)

1150 WASHINGTON

1151 KNOXVILLE

1152 MEMPHIS

Following WW II the Southern like most roads were anxious to complete streamlining of their premier trains. The two trains the SOUTHERN most wanted to streamline following the war was the All-Pullman CRESCENT LIMITED and a new train to Florida the NEW ROYAL PALM. The CRESCENT operated between New York and New Orleans via a different route south of Atlanta then the SOUTHERNER operated over. South of Atlanta the new CRESCENT would carry coaches as well as the Pullmans. The CRESCENT would be only one of two postwar streamliners to operate new cars with Master Room accommodations; only the PRR BROADWAY LIMITED could claim the same. Cars built for the CRESCENT were owned by the Southern, L&N, A&WP, and WofA and were constructed by Pullman Standard, Budd and American Car & Foundry. The Southern CRESCENT evolved into a streamliner instead of happening all at once as with many streamliners. Each CRESCENT was assigned the following feature cars; a 48-seat dining car, a 2-drawing room 1-master room buffet 21-seat lounge car and a 5-double bedroom buffet 8-seat cocktail lounge high windowed raised 16-seat lounge observation. Budd built the 48-seat dining cars and the other two feature cars were Pullman Standard built. The dining cars were also built for the NEW ROYAL PALM, as were sleeper lounge observations.
In November 1950 Southern owned 2300 ROYAL ARCH was renamed LUTHER CALVIN NORRIS. The WofA owned ROYAL PALACE was renamed CHARLES A. WICKERSHAM in September 1952.
One of the NEW ROYAL PALM sleeper lounge observations NYC ROYAL CREST was destroyed that first summer while operating on the rear of one of the UP CITY OF LOS ANGELES consists near Wamsutter, Wyoming along with two UP sleeping cars when the stopped train was rear ended by a following train. Three other observations the two L&N and W&A car were sold to private owners. The FEC AZALEA was rebuilt to a business car and the three Southern owned cars were rebuilt to 11-double bedroom sleeping cars losing their observation ends in the rebuilding. In September 1958 Pullman Standard on LUTHER CALVIN NORRIS and ROYAL COURT completed the conversion. In October 1958 ROYAL PALM became an 11-double bedroom sleeper.

48-SEAT DINING CARS Budd Company September – October 1949 (Built for and assigned to CRESCENT - SOUTHERNER - NEW ROYAL PALM)

CRESCENT

A&WP

120

L&N

2790

SOU

3305, 3306

SOUTHERNER

SOU

3307 – 3309

NEW ROYAL PALM

SOU

3310 – 3312

CNOT&P

3869

2-DRAWING ROOM 1-MASTER ROOM BUFFET 21-SEAT LOUNGE CARS Pullman Standard December 1949 Plan: 4160 Lot: 6814 (Built for and assigned to CRESCENT)

2350 CRESCENT CITY

2351 CRESCENT HARBOR

2352 CRESCENT MOON

2353 CRESCENT SHORES

5-DOUBLE BEDROOM BUFFET 8-SEAT COCKTAIL LOUNGE 16-SEAT RAISED LOUNGE OBSERVATIONS Pullman Standard February – March 1950 Plan: 4162 Lot: 6814 (Built for and assigned to CRESCENT and NEW ROYAL PALM)

CRESCENT

SOU

2300 ROYAL ARCH

L&N

3300 ROYAL CANAL

3301 ROYAL STREET

WofA
ROYAL PALACE

NEW ROYAL PALM

SOU

2301 ROYAL COURT

CNOT&P

3499 ROYAL PALM

NYC

ROYAL CREST
FEC

AZALEA

The NEW ROYAL PALM carried an additional feature car as this train carried coaches between Cincinnati and Florida points. The southbound NEW ROYAL PALM was assembled each morning with sleeping cars brought from Chicago, Buffalo, Cleveland, and Detroit by the NYC that is the reason the NYC contributed cars to the pool of cars that comprised the NEW ROYAL PALM. The sleeper lounge observations were the only through feature cars to operate north of Cincinnati. They operated through to Detroit. The additional feature car carried by the NEW ROYAL PALM was a dining –lounge car. These cars had a rather unusual interior arrangement with booths for four and lounge seating intermixed. On the one side of these cars were two booths for four three lounge seats two additional booths for four and six lounge seats. The other side of the car starting at the kitchen –Pantry was a Stewards station Booth for four three lounge seats two more booths for four and six lounge seats. Actually it wasn’t as bad as it sounds as the two three seat lounge areas were used as waiting areas for passengers waiting to dine. There were three cars built new for the NEW ROYAL PALM SOU 3399, CNOT&P 3899 and FEC SOUTH BAY, the fourth car supplied to the pool was an NYC Grill – Dining car serving as a Dining – lounge. The NYC rotated cars of this type in and out of the NEW ROYAL PALM pool with no particular car serving for any period of time.

28-SEAT DINING 18-SEAT LOUNGE CARS American Car & Foundry August – September 1950 (Built for and assigned to NEW ROYAL PALM)

SOU

3399

CNOT&P

3899

FEC

SOUTH BAY

The Southern received six-Coach –Bar Lounge cars from Budd in November – December 1949 numbered 950 – 955. These cars carried 34-coach seats a bar and 16-seat lounge. The Southern assigned the cars to the postwar SOUTHERNER and TENNESSEAN three for each trains pool.

34-SEAT COACH BAR 16-SEAT LOUNGE CARS Budd Company November – December 1949 (Built for and assigned to SOUTHERNER and TENNESSEAN)

950 – 955

This completed the streamlined feature cars for the Southern. Those surviving dining cars were transferred to Amtrak when Southern finally joined Amtrak. The two Southern Dining Lounge cars were retired in 1971 and the FEC SOUTH BAY became SAL 6620 in 1965. This car was retired by the SCL as their 5837 in 1971.

TTFN AL

[siberianmo]

Good Morning!

PASSENGER RR FALLEN FLAG #56

Here’s another Passenger RR Fallen Flag from Classic American Railroads:

Southern (SOU)

Headquarters: Washington, DC

Mileage in 1950: 6,300

Locomotives in 1963:

Diesel: 644

Rolling stock in 1963:

Freight cars: 40,038
Passenger cars: 587

Principal routes in 1950:

Washington, DC-Charlotte, NC-Atlanta, GA-Birmingham, AL-New Orleans, LA
Cincinnati, OH-Chattanooga, TN-Birmingham
Danville, KY-St. Louis, MO
Chattanooga-Memphis, TN
Chattanooga-Morristown-Knoxville-Bristol, TN
Chattanooga-Atlanta-Valdosta, FL-Jacksonville, FL
Valdosta-Palatka, FL
Salisbury-Asheville, NC-Morristown, TN
Asheville-Spartanburg-Charleston, SC
Charlotte-Jacksonville
Danville-West Point, VA
Greensboro, NC-Norfolk, VA
Rome, GA-Mobile, AL

Passenger trains of note:

Aiken-Augusta Special (Washington-Salisbury-Augusta)
Asheville Special (Washington-Greensboro-Asheville)
Birmingham Special (Washington-Lynchburg-Bristol-Knoxvillle-Chattanooga-Birmingham
Carolina Special (Cincinnati-Knoxville-Asheville-Greensboro & Charleston)
Crescent (New York-Washington-Atlanta-Montgomery-New Orleans))
Florida Sunbeam (Cincinnati-Atlanta-Florida points)
Kansas City-Florida Special (Kansas City-Birmingham-Atlanta-Brunswick & Florida points)
Peach Queen (Washington-Atlanta)
Pelican (New York-Lynchburg-Bristol-Knoxville-Chattanooga-Birmingham-New Orleans)
Piedmont Limited (Washington-Atlanta-Montgomery-New Orleans)
Ponce de Leon (Cincinnati-Atlanta-Jacksonville)
Queen & Crescent (Cincinnati-Chattanooga-Birmingham-New Orleans)
Royal Palm (Cincinnati-Chattanooga-Jacksonville)
Skyland Special (Asheville-Jacksonville)
Southerner (Washington-Atlanta-Birmingham-New Orleans)
Sunnyland (Memphis-Birmingham-Atlanta)
Tennessean (Washington-Lynchburg-Bristol-Knoxville-Chattanooga-Memphis)
Washington-Atlanta-New Orleans Express (Washington-Atlanta-Montgomery-New Orleans)

Of note:
PRR handled SR trains east of Washington.
N&W handled SR trains via Bristol between Lynchburg and Bristol.
A&WP handled SR trains to and from New Orleans via Montgomery.
WRofA and L&N handled SR trains to and from New Orleans via Montgomery west of Atlanta.
Frisco handled SR trains between Memphis and Birmingham, west of Birmingham (The Kansas City-Florida Special).
Frisco handled SR trains handled the Sunnyland Memphis-Birmingham route.
SAL handled SR train The Florida Sunbeam south of Jacksonville.


Enjoy! [tup]

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]

[siberianmo]

HI Al

Seems like we've hit a "wall" of sorts - our "dependables" haven't shown up today either here or at the bar!<groan>

Appreciate the good stuff, though and we'll see you in the 'morrow . . . don't forget that tomorrow is ENCORE! Saturday over at the bar![tup]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[passengerfan]

SEABOARD
AIR
LINE Streamlined Head End Cars
by Al

The SAL purchased ten cars from Pullman's old Osgood/Bradley plant in Worcester, Massachusetts that were delivered in September – October 1936. These cars were four Baggage Divided Coach Combinations 285 – 288. These cars were equipped with a 24 seat Colored section and 28 seat White section closest to the vestibule, both compartments had separate restrooms. A partition with closed door separated the two sections in these modern cars. The cars were of the so-called American Flyer design and were more streamlined than most of these type cars as they were delivered with full side skirting. The other six cars were straight 76 revenue seat coaches 830 – 835. Historians don’t agree on the original intentions for these cars assignments but in any event they were assigned to the WEST COAST ORANGE BLOSSOM SPECIALS operating between New York and St. Petersburg during winter months.

BAGGAGE 52 REVENUE SEAT DIVIDED COACHES Pullman Osgood/ Bradley September 1936 (Built for and assigned to WEST COAST ORANGE BLOSSOM SPECIAL)

285 – 288

The SAL purchased a pair of Diesel powered shovelnose Cab units with a 30’ RPO and Baggage Compartment from St. Louis Car in 1936. The pair 2027 and 2028 were powered by a 600hp EMC diesel. The 2028 is most remembered for its daily operation hauling the Coach and Sleeping car from the METEOR between Tampa and Venice daily in each direction.
The SAL became the first operator of a streamlined train between New York and Florida on February 2, 1939 with the inaugural of the diesel powered seven-car SILVER METEOR. This Budd built coach streamliners first car 6000 was a Baggage 13 Crew Dormitory 22 Revenue seat Coach. The entire seven-car streamliner was delivered by Budd in January 1939 and entered service February 2, 1939 operating the following six-day schedule. First the SILVER METEOR operated a round trip between New York and Miami that consumed three days followed by a New York – St. Petersburg round trip that consumed another three days. After one day for thorough servicing the schedule began all over again.

BAGGAGE 13 CREW DORMITORY 22 REVENUE SEAT COACH COMBINATION Budd Company January 1939 (Built for and assigned to SILVER METEOR)

6000

Two additional train sets were ordered almost immediately from Budd in order to inaugurate daily New York – Miami service with an every third day section to St. Petersburg from New York. The two head end cars for the additional train sets were identical to the earlier 6000 and were numbered 6001 and 6002. The daily SILVER METEOR service began December 23, 1939 using Budd built cars delivered earlier the same month.

BAGGAGE 13 CREW DORMITORY 22 REVENUE SEAT COACH COMBINATIONS Budd Company December 1939 (Built for and assigned to daily SILVER METEOR)

6001, 6002

In November – December 1940 Budd delivered fifteen new cars for the SILVER METEOR. The addition of these cars permitted the SAL to offer daily service to both coasts of Florida. With the combined trains traveling as a single train between New York and Wildwood, Florida where the two sections split before continuing on to Miami on the East Coast and St. Petersburg on the Gulf Coast. The three new head end cars delivered at that time were 6003 – 6005 and these cars were Baggage 13 Crew Dormitory 18-revenue seat Coach Combinations. The new head end cars operated between New York and Miami while the older 6000 – 6002 became New York – St. Petersburg cars.

BAGGAGE 13 CREW DORMITORY 18 REVENUE SEAT COACH COMBINATIONS Budd Company November 1940 (Built for and assigned to SILVER METEOR service)

6003 – 6005

Following WW II the SAL received three new head end cars from the Budd Company in June 1947. These three cars were the last new head end cars built new for the SAL. These three cars unlike the prewar cars were only Baggage 22 Crew Dormitory cars 6050 – 6052. These large capacity crew dormitory cars were assigned to the SILVER METEOR. The older prewar cars were than assigned to the new SILVER COMET and later SILVER STAR.

BAGGAGE 22 CREW DORMITORY CARS Budd Company June 1947 (Built for and assigned to SILVER METEOR)

6050 – 6052

The SAL shopped the older prewar 6000 – 6003 Baggage Crew Dormitory Coaches between April and August 1957. As each car was shopped they emerged as Baggage 22 Crew Dormitory Cars with new numbers 6054, 6055, 6053 and 6056 respectively. The cars continued in assignment to the SILVER STAR, SILVER METEOR pool of cars while the remaining Baggage 13 Crew Dormitory 18 seat Coach Combinations 6004 and 6005 were assigned to the SILVER COMET between New York City and Birmingham.
In November 1965 the SAL purchased a large number of lightweight streamlined cars from the FEC after a prolonged strike had ended passenger service on that carrier. Four head end cars were among the cars purchased and renumbered by the SAL. The four cars were as follows:

BAGGAGE 13 CREW DORMITORY 22 REVENUE SEAT COACH COMBINATION

6006 ex FEC INDIAN RIVER originally FEC STUART

BAGGAGE 22 CREW DORMITORY CARS

6057 ex FEC HALIFAX RIVER originally FEC NEW SMYRNA

6058 originally FEC ST. JOHNS RIVER

BAGGAGE CAR
6070 originally FEC 501

TTFN AL

[siberianmo]

Hey Al

Don't have very much on the SAL, but here's something that you may find of interest!

Seaboard Air Line map (1896)


Enjoy!

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

Good Morning!

Ah, the Seaboard Air Line (SAL)! Logical follow on to the ACL - good choice, Al[tup]

My contribution has previously been Posted on this Thread - but here it is one more time:

Here’s another Passenger RR Fallen Flag from Classic American Railroads:

Seaboard Air Line (SAL)

Headquarters: Norfolk, VA

Route mileage in 1950: 4,146

Locomotives in 1963: Diesels – 531

Rolling stock in 1963: Freight cars - 27,560; Passenger cars – 446

Principal routes in 1950:

Richmond, VA-Homestead, FL (Miami) via Columbia, SC & Jacksonville & Auburndale, FL
Coleman-St. Petersburg, Fl
Hamlet, NC-Savannah, GA
Norlina, NC-Norfolk
Hamlet-Birmingham, AL
Savannah, GA – Montgomery, AL
Baldwin-Chattahoochee, FL
Baldwin-Gross, FL (bypass of Jacksonville)
Waldo-Sulphur Springs, FL
Plant City-Fort Myers, FL
Durant-Venice, FL
Hull-Port Boca Grande, FL
Valrico-West Lake Wales, FL

Passenger trains of note:

Cotton Blossom (Washington, DC-Atlanta)
Gulf Wind (Jacksonville-New Orleans)
New York-Florida Limited (New York-Miami)
Orange Blossom Special (New York-Miami)
Palmland (New York-Tampa & Boca Grande, FL)
Silver Meteor (New York-Miami & St. Petersburg & Venice & Ft. Myers)
Silver Comet (New York- & Portsmouth, VA-Birmingham)
Silver Star (New York-Miami & St. Petersburg & Venice & Boca Grande, FL)
Sunland (Washington & Portsmouth-Miami & Venice; formerly Southern States Special, Sun Queen & Camellia)
Suwannee River Special (Cincinnati-Florida destinations)

Of note: SAL passenger trains were handled by RF&P & PRR north of Richmond.
L&N handled the Gulf Wind west of Chattahoochee.

Enjoy! [tup]

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]

[passengerfan]

SEABOARD
AIR
LINE
(SAL) Streamlined Dining & Lounge Cars
by Al

The SAL introduced the first diesel powered streamliner between the Northeast and Florida on February 2, 1939. This seven-car coach streamliner the SILVER METEOR operated a six day cycle beginning with a New York – Miami round trip followed by a New York – St. Petersburg round trip. Three of the SILVER METEORS seven – cars were feature cars or part feature cars. The third car in consist was 6300 a 30-seat coach train hostess room bar 30-seat tavern lounge car. The fourth car in each consist was the trains 48-seat dining car a standard Budd type layout numbered 6100. The seventh car in the SILVER METEOR consist was the 48-seat coach 24- seat lounge observation 6400. The revenue coach seating capacity of the SILVER METEOR was for 280-passengers. The Budd built streamliner was delivered to the SAL at the end of January 1939 and EMC delivered the E4A at the same time. The PRR operated the SILVER METEOR north of Washington and the RF&P operated the SILVER METEOR between Washington and Richmond. South of Richmond the SILVER METEOR operated on home rails.

30-REVENUE SEAT COACH TRAIN HOSTESS ROOM BAR 30-SEAT TAVERN LOUNGE CAR Budd Company January 1939 (Built for and assigned to SILVER METEOR)

6300

48-SEAT DINING CAR Budd Company January 1939 (Built for and assigned to SILVER METEOR)

6100

48-REVENUE SEAT COACH 30-SEAT LOUNGE OBSERVATION Budd Company January 1939 (Built for and assigned to SILVER METEOR)

6400

So successful was the SILVER METEOR that the SAL ordered two additional identical train sets for December 1939 delivery with an extra three cars to provide the service to St. Petersburg. This permitted the SILVER METEOR to become a daily New York – Miami streamliner and provide every third day service to St. Petersburg from Florida. The new daily SILVER METEOR service began December 23, 1939 between New York and Miami. The three extra cars built for the New York – St. Petersburg section of the SILVER METEOR operated every third day in one of the regular SILVER METEOR trains between New York and Wildwood, where they operated as a separate train to and from St. Petersburg. The three extra cars were two 60-seat coaches and a 48-seat dining car.
A single 24-seat Dining 18-seat Lounge Car numbered 6103 was delivered in November 1939 for operation between Wildwood and St. Petersburg round trip daily carrying the through cars to and from New York.
The two new SILVER METEOR 30-seat coach Hostess room bar 30-seat tavern lounge cars were numbered 6301 and 6302. The two new 48-seat dining cars were numbered 6101 and 6102. The two new 48-seat coach 24-seat lounge observations were numbered 6401 and 6402. Budd delivered all new SILVER METEOR cars in December 1939.

24-SEAT DINING 18-SEAT LOUNGE CAR Budd Company November 1939 (Built for and assigned to SILVER METEOR between Wildwood and St. Petersburg)

6103

30-REVENUE SEAT COACH HOSTESS ROOM BAR 30-SEAT TAVERN LOUNGE CARS Budd Company December 1939 (Built for and assigned to daily SILVER METEORS)

6301, 6302

48-SEAT DINING CARS Budd Company December 1939 (Built for and assigned to daily SILVER METEORS)

6101, 6102

48-SEAT COACH 24-SEAT LOUNGE OBSERVATIONS Budd Company December 1939 (Built for and assigned to SILVER METEORS)

6401, 6402

One year later in December 1940 daily SILVER METEOR service began operating to both Miami and St. Petersburg when fifteen new cars were delivered. Now each daily SILVER METEOR between New York and Wildwood was thirteen cars in length with six cars located forward the New York – St. Petersburg section and the rear six cars plus one of the Baggage Coach dormitory cars carried forward also part of the Miami section. The coach – lounge observations 6500 – 6502 delivered in December 1940 were blunt end cars equipped with diaphragms and operated in the middle of the SILVER METEOR between New York and Wildwood permitting access to the Miami section of the train. Between Wildwood and St. Petersburg they brought up the markers of this section of the SILVER METEOR. The SAL permitted fifteen minutes for separating the two sections or combining the two sections of the SILVER METEOR in order to maintain the fast schedule. Two additional 48-seat dining cars 6104, and 6105 were also part of the December 1940 deliveries.

48-SEAT DINING CARS Budd Company December 1940 (Built for and assigned to SILVER METEOR)

6104, 6105

30-SEAT COACH STEWARDESS ROOM BUFFET 25-SEAT LOUNGE OBSERVATIONS Budd Company December 1940 (Built for and assigned to SILVER METEOR St. Petersburg section)

6500 – 6502

Following the war the SAL was anxious to streamline other trains and add streamlined sleeping cars to the SILVER METEOR that was then operating with heavyweight sleeping cars forward of the coach section of the train. The SAL planned to add a new SILVER COMET between New York and Atlanta – Birmingham daily as soon as possible following the war. The new SILVER COMET trains were introduced May 18, 1947. About the only streamlined cars in the new trains consist when first inaugurated were the coaches. In June 1947 the SILVER COMET received streamlined 48-seat dining cars and Baggage 12-crew Dormitory 22-seat coaches. The SILVER COMET received new tavern lounge observations in July 1947. The 1947 influx of feature cars included nine new 48-seat dining cars 6106 – 6114 and six new tavern lounge observations 6600 – 6605. These new tavern – lounge cars were almost identical to those built for rival ACL with 34-seat tavern lounge bar 25-seat lounge observation. These six cars were round end observations and later would be fitted with an adaptor and diaphragm for mid-train use. Three of the new tavern lounge observations were assigned to the SILVER METEOR and three others were assigned to the SILVER COMET.

48-SEAT DINING CARS Budd Company May – June 1947 (Built for and assigned to SILVER METEOR and SILVER COMET)

6106 – 6114

34-SEAT LOUNGE BAR-BUFFET 25-SEAT LOUNGE OBSERVATIONS Budd Company July 1947 (Built for and assigned to SILVER METEOR and SILVER COMET)

6600 – 6605

The SAL would purchase only six more feature cars new after this time and they were all built for the SILVER METEOR initially although the names applied to the first three would suggest they were built for the SILVER COMET the train they were never assigned to. When the SAL replaced the MOUNTAIN series in the SILVER METEOR with the BEACH series beginning January 4, 1956 the MOUNTAIN series were then assigned to the other New York – Miami SAL streamliner the SILVER STAR. These cars were 6-Double Bedroom Buffet 23-seat lounge cars 15 RED MOUNTAIN, 16 STONE MOUNTAIN and 17 KENNESAW MOUNTAIN. American Car & Foundry delivered these three cars in August 1949.

6-DOUBLE BEDROOM BUFFET 23-SEAT LOUNGE CARS American Car & Foundry August 1949 Plan: 9003 Lot: 3045 (Built for and assigned to SILVER METEOR later SILVER STAR)

15- RED MOUNTAIN

16 – STONE MOUNTAIN

17 – KENNESAW MOUNTAIN

Pullman Standard delivered the final three new feature cars in December 1956 for assignment to the SILVER METEOR. These three cars were unlike any other feature cars ever built. They were 5-Double Bedroom Buffet 21-seat Sun Lounges. They featured five large windows on each side of the lounge area and five windows in the roof down each side. These large lounge area windows were found on these cars only and they were an immediate hit with the sleeping car passengers of the SILVER METEOR.

5-DOUBLE BEDROOM BUFFET 21-SEAT SUN LOUNGE CARS Pullman Standard January 1956 Plan: 4202 Lot: 6968 (Built for and assigned to SILVER METEOR)

18 – MIAMI BEACH

19 – PALM BEACH

20 – HOLLYWOOD BEACH

After the FEC had been idled by a lengthy strike and passenger service south of Jacksonville for the ACL and other roads was transferred to the SAL, the FEC never again entered the passenger business. The idled FEC cars were eventually sold to other railroads with the largest group of these cars being sold to the SAL a total of thirty-six. Nine of the former FEC cars were feature cars they were four 48-seat dining cars, two 36-seat dining cars, two tavern – lounge cars and one dining – lounge car. The following is a list of these cars and their new SAL numbers. For further details of the interiors see the FEC chapter.

DINING CARS

6115 originally FEC FORT LAUDERDALE

6116 originally FEC FORT DALLAS

6117 originally FEC FORT MATANZAS

6118 originally FEC FORT SAN MARCO

6119 originally FEC FORT RIBAULT

6120 originally FEC FORT DRUM

TAVERN LOUNGE OBSERVATIONS

6606 originally FEC LAKE WORTH

6607 originally FEC BAY BISCAYNE

DINING – LOUNGE CAR

6620 originally FEC SOUTH BAY

The SAL was merged into the Seaboard Coast Line

TTFN Al

[siberianmo]

G'day!

Just a quickie to acknowledge the Posts from Al - Lars & BK - thanx guys, for helping to keep this "outpost" alive![tup][swg]

Catch y'all in the 'morrow . . . .

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[BudKarr]

Hello Captain Tom,

Looks like I am chasing Lars from thread to thread - just cannot catch him!<smile>

Don't have anything of interest to provide other than to say that it appears as long as Al keeps coming by, you'll not run out of "Theme" material!<grin>

All I know about the Atlantic Coast Line is what you all have provided at "Our" Place in past postings. All good reading.

I am heading over to the bar now.

BK in beautiful Alberta high country!

[LoveDomes]

Hello Tom -

Just stopped by on the way home from the bar and noticed that Al hasn't let us down. So ACL it shall be . . .

Name trains of Atlantic Coast Line (ACL)

QUOTE: Champion (East Coast)
Champion (West Coast)
City of Miami
Dixie Flagler
Dixie Flyer
Dixie Limited
Everglades
Flamingo
Georgian
Havana Special (East Coast)
Havana Special (West Coast)
Miamian
Palmetto
Seminole
South Wind
Southland
Sunchaser

That's all I have time for ... gotta run! My post over at the bar says it all ....

Until the next time!

Lars

[passengerfan]

Continuing the ACL theme for the day.

ATLANTIC
COAST
LINE Streamlined Head End Cars
by Al

The ACL’s first streamlined head end cars were a pair delivered by Budd in November 1939 to inaugurate the daily CHAMPIONS between New York and Miami. Actually there were three consists and three of these Baggage 13 Crew Dormitory 14 seat Coach Combinations delivered by Budd for the CHAMPIONS. The third consist necessary for daily operation was owned by the Florida East Coast Railway. The two ACL owned cars were numbered 100 and 101 and were delivered with a Purple letter board while the FEC owned NEW SMYRNA had a reddish orange letter board. Each of the seven car streamlined CHAMPIONS was powered by a single 2,000 hp E3A unit from EMD between Washington and Miami. North of Washington the trains were handled on the PRR by a GG-1 Electric.
The new CHAMPIONS entered daily service beginning December 1, 1939.

BAGGAGE 13-CREW DORMITORY 14-REVENUE SEAT COACH COMBINATIONS Budd Company November 1939 (Built for and assigned to CHAMPIONS)

ACL

100, 101

FEC

NEW SMYRNA

The ACL doubled the size of the CHAMPIONS beginning in December 1941 with the delivery of three nearly identical train sets, except the new trains did not operate with the Coach with Stewardess Room as only one stewardess was carried for the entire combined train. The stewardess was assigned to the Miami section of the CHAMPION. The major difference in the cars for these CHAMPIONS and the earlier CHAMPIONS was seating capacity in the coaches and the Tavern Lounge Observations were squared off and had diaphragms installed at both ends for mid train operation. At that time the name of the combined fourteen car trains was changed to TAMIAMI CHAMPION. This allowed the TAMIAMI CHAMPION to be split at Jacksonville with one section operating through to Miami while the other section operated through to Tampa on the West Coast of Florida. The ACL owned the additional three head end cars 102 – 104 again Baggage 13-Crew Dormitory 14-revenue seat Coaches. All cars for the new TAMIAMI CHAMPIONS were completed by Budd between November 1940 and January 1941 and delivered to the ACL as completed.

BAGGAGE 13-CREW DORMITORY 14-REVENUE SEAT COACH COMBINATIONS Budd Company December 1940 (Built for and assigned to TAMIAMI CHAMPIONS)

102 – 104

Following WW II the ACL received three additional consists from Budd to replace the earliest CHAMPION train sets. These cars were nearly identical to the earlier prewar cars with only subtle interior changes. Three of the new cars were again Baggage 13-Crew Dormitory 14-Revenue seat Coach Combinations numbered 105 – 107. The name of the trains had once again reverted to the CHAMPIONS after a wartime wreck of the TAMIAMI CHAMPION had left a number of passengers dead. The railroad never again used the TAMIAMI CHAMPION name after the accident. The trains were thereafter referred to as the EAST COAST CHAMPION and WEST COAST CHAMPION.

BAGGAGE 13-CREW DORMITORY 14-REVENUE SEAT COACH COMBINATIONS Budd Company April 1947 (Built for and assigned to CHAMPIONS)

105 – 107

In July 1947 the ACL shops rebuilt Baggage 13 Crew Dormitory 14 Seat Coach Combination 100 into a Baggage 28-Crew Dormitory car for the combined EAST COAST and WEST COAST CHAMPIONS.
In addition the ACL rebuilt five surplus U.S. Army Hospital Cars into Baggage 28-Crew Dormitory Cars and numbered these cars 2002-2006. They were painted Purple with a silver letter board and Black roof and underbody. These cars were assigned to the FLORIDA SPECIAL and MIAMIAN. The conversion work from U.S. Army Hospital Cars to Baggage Crew Dormitory cars 2002-2006 was completed by ACL shops between July and September 1947 when they were initially assigned to the MIAMIAN trains.
In September 1947 the ACL shops rebuilt Baggage 13-Crew Dormitory 14-Revenue seat Coach 101 to a Baggage 28-Crew Dormitory Car without change of number. The 101 remained assigned to the combined EAST COAST and WEST COAST CHAMPION.
Another ex U.S. Army Hospital car was rebuilt to a Baggage Car by ACL shops in July 1949 and assigned number 579. This car was assigned to General Service.
American Car & Foundry delivered a pair of Baggage Cars to the ACL in February 1950 numbered 150 and 151.

BAGGAGE CARS American Car & Foundry February 1950 (Built for and assigned to CHAMPIONS)

150, 151

In August 1953 the ACL rebuilt one additional ex U.S. Army Hospital car into a Baggage 28-Crew Dormitory car numbered 2007. This car was assigned to the MIAMIAN – FLORIDA SPECIAL general service pool.
Sometime during 1959 a blank car shell that had been delivered to the ACL earlier in 1957 by Pullman Standard was completed as a baggage car and numbered 152. This car was then assigned to service in the CHAMPIONS.
In March 1962 the ACL was busy once again rebuilding the remaining Budd Baggage 13-Crew Dormitory 14-Revenue seat Coach Combinations 102-104 into straight Baggage 33-Crew Dormitory cars without change of numbers. Baggage 13-Crew Dormitory Coach Combinations 105-107 were rebuilt to Baggage 33-Crew Dormitory Cars at the same time.
In 1966 ACL shops rebuilt Baggage 27 Crew Dormitory cars 2004 and 2007 into straight Baggage cars and renumbered them 1660 and 1663 respectively.
In 1967 ACL shops rebuilt Baggage 27-Crew Dormitory Cars 2005 and 2006 into straight baggage car and renumbered them 1661 and 1662.

TTFN AL

[siberianmo]

Good Morning!

Something for our "Theme for the Day!" . . .

Atlantic Coast Line (ACL) map (1914)


Later![tup]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

Good Morning!

That is sad news, ineed, regarding the demise of the beautiful observaton dome car! Didn't know that - and appreciate the info, as always.[tup]

Another day, another "Theme" at the "Dew Drop in Thread!" [swg]

My contribution . . . . which was previously Posted on this Thread:

Here’s another Passenger RR Fallen Flag from Classic American Railroads:

Atlantic Coast Line (ACL)

Headquarters: Jacksonville, FL

Route mileage in 1950: 5,528

Locomotives in 1963 (all diesel-electric):

Freight: 170
Passenger: 62
Dual mode (freight/passenger): 234
Switchers: 119

Rolling stock in 1963: Freight cars – 28,847; Passenger cars – 405

Principal routes in 1950:

Richmond, VA-Tampa, FL, via Jacksonville and Orlando.
Wilson-Wilmington, NC
Wilmington-Pee Dee (Florence) SC
Winston-Salem, NC-Florence
Florence-Atlanta
Brunswick, GA-Montgomery, AL
Birmingham, AL-Waycross, GA
Albany-Dunnellon, FL
Jacksonville-St. Petersburg, FLA via Gainesville, Leesburg and Trilby
Dupont, GA-Naples, FL

Passenger trains of note:

East Coast Champion (New York-Miami)
West Coast Champion (New York-Tampa & St. Petersburg & Sarasota)
Tamiami Champion – Predecessor of East and West Coast Champions
Florida Special (New York-Miami & St. Petersburg)
Miamian (Washington-Miami)
Vacationer (New York-Miami)
Havana Special (New York-Key West, FL)
Palmetto (New York-Savannah & Augusta & Wilmington)
Everglades (New York-Jacksonville)
Gulf Coast Special (New York-Tampa & Ft. Myers & St. Petersburg; formerly Havana Special)

Of note: North of Richmond, RF&P and PRR handled passenger trains.
South of Jacksonville, FEC handled trains bound for Miami and Key West.
SAL handled trains headed for Miami south of Auburndale, FL in 1963.

Other carrier’s trains destined to Florida, such as the City of Miami – South Wind – Flamingo – Dixie Limited – Dixie Flyer – Seminole and Southland were combined with named ACL trains.

Enjoy! [tup]

Tom [4:-)] [oX)]

[passengerfan]

Hows this for Thursdays theme.

ATLANTIC
COAST
LINE
(ACL) Streamlined Dining & Lounge Cars
byAl

The Atlantic Coast Line introduced their first lightweight streamlined trains December 1, 1939 with the introduction of daily CHAMPIONS between New York and Miami. The new CHAMPIONS were seven-car coach streamliners built by the Budd Company. Three train sets were constructed in order to provide daily service. Two of the trains were owned by the ACL and the third was owned by the FEC who operated the new streamliners between Jacksonville and Miami. Each of the new trains delivered by Budd in November 1939 was diesel powered south of Washington. North of Washington they operated under Pennsylvania catenary usually behind one of that roads famous GG-1 electrics.
The new seven car streamliners each operated with two feature cars per consist serving the 254-coach seats. The fourth car in each CHAMPION train set was a 48-seat dining car and the seventh car in each consist was a 32-seat tavern bar-buffet 21 seat lounge observation. These beautifully rounded Budd observations would be the only ones purchased by the ACL, as all future Budd built observations would be blunt end cars in order that they could be operated mid-train if necessary. The two ACL dining cars were named PHILADELPHIA and NEW YORK and the FEC dining car in CHAMPION service was named FORT PIERCE. The ACL Tavern-Lounge observations were numbered 250 and 251, while FEC named theirs BAY BISCAYNE. The 250 was destroyed in a wartime accident of the TAMIAMI CHAMPION in July 1943. In 1952 ACL rebuilt the 251 to a blunt end observation matching all postwar ACL observations.

48-SEAT DINING CARS Budd Company November 1939 (Built for and assigned to CHAMPION trains)

ACL

NEW YORK

PHILADELPHIA

FEC

FORT PIERCE

32-SEAT TAVERN LOUNGE BAR-BUFFET 21-SEAT LOUNGE OBSERVATIONS Budd Company November 1939 (Built for and assigned to CHAMPION trains)

ACL

250, 251

FEC

BAY BISCAYNE

So popular were the new CHAMPIONS with the traveling public that additional cars were ordered for late 1940 delivery that would expand the consists to fourteen cars each doubling the size of the initial train sets. Now each expanded train set operated with two 48-seat dining cars and two 32-seat tavern lounge Bar-Buffet 21-seat lounge observations. Now the fifth car in each consist was a 48-seat dining car, the eighth car was a new blunt end tavern lounge bar buffet Lounge Observation, the eleventh car was a 48-seat dining car and the fourteenth and last car was one of the 1939 round end tavern lounge bar-buffet lounge observations.
The new cars were all delivered by Budd in December 1940-January 1941. The new cars were all ACL owned except for three Pennsylvania owned 60-seat coaches their first cars for the CHAMPION pool.

48-SEAT DINING CARS Budd Company December 1940 - January 1941 (Built for and assigned to CHAMPIONS)

ACL

BALTIMORE

BOSTON

NEWARK

32-SEAT TAVERN LOUNGE BAR-BUFFET 21-SEAT LOUNGE OBSERVATIONS Budd Company December 1940 – January 1941 (Built for and assigned to CHAMPIONS)

ACL

252-254

The ACL increased the CHAMPION pool following WW-II with the purchase of 21 cars from Budd, the PRR contributed 12 coaches and the RF&P contributed eight coaches their first for the CHAMPION pool. At the same time the FEC purchased nineteen additional cars from Budd for the CHAMPION pool and other trains. Among the cars purchased were one 24-seat dining 18-seat lounge car two 48-seat dining cars and three 32-seat tavern lounge bar-buffet 21-seat lounge observations. At last the CHAMPIONS could operate trains to both Florida coasts with enough cars for winter operations that did not require splitting the trains at Jacksonville, now there were through CHAMPIONS to both coasts. In the slower summer season the CHAMPIONS would still operate combined between New York and Jacksonville. The lone Dining Lounge car two 48-seat dining cars were ACL owned, as were the final three 32-seat tavern lounge bar-buffet 21-seat lounge observations. All of the Budd cars were delivered between May 1946 and May 1947. Budd delivered the new 48-seat dining cars were delivered in April – May 1947 and Budd delivered the new Tavern Lounge Observations in May 1947. The lone ACL owned Dining Lounge car ST. PETERSBURG was quickly remodeled to a 48-seat dining car after entering service.

48-SEAT DINING CARS Budd Company April – May 1947 (Built for and assigned to CHAMPION pool)

ACL

TAMPA

WASHINGTON

FEC

FORT DALLAS

FORT MATANZAS

FORT SAN MARCO

24-SEAT DINING 18-SEAT LOUNGE CAR Budd Company May 1947 (Built for and assigned to CHAMPION pool)

ACL

ST. PETERSBURG

32-SEAT TAVERN LOUNGE BAR-BUFFET 21-SEAT LOUNGE OBSERVATIONS (Blunt) May 1947 (Built for and assigned to CHAMPION pool)

ACL

255-257

FEC

LAKE OKEECHOBEE

32-SEAT TAVERN LOUNGE BAR – BUFFET 21-SEAT LOUNGE OBSERVATIONS (Round) May – 1947 (Built for and assigned to CHAMPION pool)

FEC

HOBIE SOUND

ST. LUCIE SOUND

The FEC owned round observations were assigned to the EAST COAST CHAMPION from New York to Miami bringing up the markers with blunt end ACL and FEC observations mid-train. The WEST COAST CHAMPION trains operated with blunt end tavern lounge observations mid-train and bringing up the markers.
For the sleeping cars passenger new lightweight streamlined cars were delivered in the last half of 1949. Among the cars delivered were nine 6-Double Bedroom Buffet 24-seat lounge cars from AC&F. These nine cars owned by the ACL, FEC and RF&P were assigned to the FLORIDA SPECIALS (6) in the winter months with the remaining three assigned to the EAST COAST CHAMPION. Summers the trains were assigned to the EAST COAST and WEST COAST CHAMPIONS.

6-DOUBLE BEDROOM BUFFET 24-SEAT LOUNGE CARS American Car & Foundry November – December 1949 Plan: 9006 (Built for and assigned to CHAMPIONS and FLORIDA SPECIAL)

ACL
(Lot: 3090)

MYRTLE BEACH

PASS-A-GRILLE BEACH

PONTE VEDRA BEACH

SEA ISLAND BEACH

VIRGINIA BEACH

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH

FEC
(Lot: 3095)

MAGNOLIA

OLEANDER

RF&P
(Lot: 3093)

COLONIAL BEACH

Between February and May 1950 Pullman Standard delivered thirteen 36-eat dining cars for ACL service to the ACL, FEC, and RF&P. All three roads dining cars were named and did not carry numbers. These cars were assigned to the winter only all-Pullman FLORIDA SPECIAL and such other fine ACL trains as the MIAMIAN, VACATIONER, and others.

36-SEAT DINING CARS Pullman Standard February – May 1950 (Built for and assigned to various ACL trains in a general pool)

ACL

ATLANTA

BIRMINGHAM

CORDELE

FITZGERALD

GREENVILLE

LA GRANGE

MOULTRIE

PLANT CITY

TALLEDEGA

TARBORO

FEC

FORT DRUM

FORT RIBAULT

RF&P

HENRICO

Besides these lightweight cars the ACL rebuilt and streamlined a number of heavyweight 36-seat and 48-seat dining cars at their Emerson shops in Rocky Mount, N.C. Those modernized and streamlined 36-seat dining cars were named BRADENTON (48), GAINESVILLE (48), HARTSVILLE (36), KINSTON (36), NEW BERN (36), ORANGEBURG (36), TROY (48) and VALDOSTA (36). All of these cars were retired from ACL service by 1963. The work performed on these cars was outstanding and were difficult to tell from factory lightweight streamlined cars.
In December 1950 the ACL received five twin unit Kitchen-Dining room sets from the C&O who after having the cars built for them could not find a use for them and sold them to the ACL. Two of the sets were 16-crew dormitory Kitchen cars C&O numbers 1954 SWAN KITCHEN and 1955 POSTLEWHWAIT’S KITCHEN were renumbered ACL 125 and 126 respectively. The 64-seat dining room cars sold to the ACL at the same time for these kitchen units were C&O 1977 SWAN TAVERN and 1978 POSTLETHWAIT’S TAVERN; these were named PORT TAMPA and WINTER PARK by ACL.
The other three units that featured kitchens were built for the C&O as 14-seat Lunch Counter Kitchen Units numbers 1941,1940, and 1942 for the stillborn CHESSIE. These cars were built by Budd and delivered in August 1948. The C&O remodeled the cars to 18-crew dormitory –Kitchen units renumbering them 127-129 respectively.
The Dining room cars these were attached to were Budd built as well and were also built for the stillborn CHESSIE. These cars only seated 54-seats and were the former C&O 1970-1972. The ACL named these cars WINTER HAVEN, ST. PETERSBURG and FORT MYERS respectively. Since the ACL already had a 48-seat dining car carrying the name ST. PETERSBURG they renamed the 48-seat Dining car ORLANDO in December 1950.
Pullman Standard delivered the body shell only for a lightweight streamlined 36-seat dining car to the ACL in 1957. For the next two years this blank car body sat outside the Emerson shops in Rocky Mount. Finally in December 1959 the car was pulled into the shops and emerged as the ACL’s newest dining car NAPLES at that time.
All six BEACH series 6-Double Bedroom Buffet 25-seat lounge cars survived to the SCL merger.
One of the 48-seat Budd built dining cars PHILADELPHIA was wrecked and destroyed in an accident June 29,1957.
The ACL also lost one of their 36-seat dining cars CORDELE in 1957. The car shell purchased in 1957 that became the NAPLES in December 1959 was the replacement car for CORDELE. All other 48-seat and 36 seat dining cars became Seaboard Coast line property in the 1967 merger.

TTFN Al

[passengerfan]

Tom
Last I heard the former Silver Sky was sold to Via Rail Canada with the intended name Jasper Park. Alas it was last seen derilect in Montreal exposed to the weather

TTFN AL

[siberianmo]

G'day!

My final "Theme for the Day!" submissions for today . . .

DRGW #1145 Silver Sky at Moffatt Tunnel (courtesy: www.trainweb.com)


DRGW #1145 Silver Sky (courtesy: www.trainweb.com)


Later!

Tom[4:-)] [oX)]