You could do this.
Harrison
Homeschooler living In upstate NY a.k.a Northern NY.
Modeling the D&H in 1978.
Route of the famous "Montreal Limited"
My YouTube
HarrisonYou could do this.
...and I do—
IMG_6757_fix by Edmund, on Flickr
IMG_1597_fix by Edmund, on Flickr
AAPRCO and RPCA are often represented on my layout
Thank You, Ed
Yep private cars are a great way to run equipment from not only the past but also roadnames other than the railroad you model.
You could also run entire trains - Milwaukee Road cars behind Milwaukee 261, Union Pacific streamlined cars with UP 844 or 3985. Run a dinner train with several streamlined dining cars - each from a different railroad.
wjstixYou could also run entire trains
I agree — and don't forget the special events, even back in the "Glory Years" such as the Kentucky Derby, New York auto shows, conventions, inaugurations, sporting events (the popular Army-Navy game trains) and as mentioned, excursions.
There were also dead-head moves where Pullman equipment was being transfered to or from any of their several shops around the Country. I recently came across several photos of Nickel Plate Road trains with Union Pacific, CB&Q and Santa Fe cars being sent to Pullman's Buffalo NY shops.
There's also the post-war "through car service" where cars from eastern and western roads were carried through, occupied, and included in the consists of specific trains continuing east or west.
Cheers, Ed
Go to Google Maps and search Charles City Iowa, then do satellite view. Around 11th Ave and Grand going east to the Charley Western bike trail there are about 20 or more streamlined passenger cars sitting on sidings. It is not a museum. It is one guys collection. I have been there - they are in various stages of preservation or decay but it is very interesting. The tracks they sit on are the last remnants of an electric interurban which is nonetheless still connected to a mainline, perhaps CP.
There are active railroad tracks nearby. I mention this as yet another alternative for the modern day modeler who nonetheless likes streamlined non-Amtrak passenger cars and wants a prototypical excuse for having them on the layout. Both a static display and a destination for a local freight to deliver yet another car to the collection.
Dave Nelson
I have never understood private cars.
.
If you own an RV, you can drive it to National Parks, Golf Resorts, Walt Disney World, or many other incredible destinations and get a great place to park your "home" and just enjoy life.
Where do you park your private railroad car? I cannot imagine it would be anything anywhere near asd appealing as Fort Wilderness in the Disney Resorts.
I could imagine leasing a private car for a coast-to-coast vacation, but the owner would need to handle all the logistics of the trip. Kind of a "Rail BnB" if you will.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
SeeYou190I have never understood private cars.
I almost choked while sipping my Manhattan when I read this, Kevin.
The history of private cars goes back to around the time of Abe Lincoln. More exclusive than first-class on a jetliner, the elite back in the glory days certainly didn't want to rub elbows with even the "middle-upper" class traveler on the all-Pullman, De-Luxe trains.
For a very reasonable fee a car could be had from the Pullman pool of private cars. You didn't own it but you leased it on a daily, weekly, monthly or even longer period. If you were staying at a resort, the car could be kept for you on the siding that nearly every small-town, or larger, station had for the purpose.
For the "frequent-flyers" of the day it was more sensible, and more of a status symbol to outright purchase your own private Varnish. Better yet, have one built to your specific tastes with your choice of wood for the inlay, carpeting, furnishings and even the china and linens would be custom made.
Often, each member of the family had their own car. Daddy's away on business in his car, mother used her car to go shopping on Fifth Avenue, and Buffy and Jody have their respective cars spotted near their Ivy covered halls of education.
I was still in high school when I got my first taste of Private Varnish back in 1973. The car was ex-C&O #3 renamed Chapel Hill. Originally built in 1922 for Marjorie Merryweather Post and E. F. Hutton. They used the car to travel to their little retreat known as Mar-a-Lago. Where have I heard that name before?
http://www.chapelhillrail.com/history.html
I made several trips with the Chapel Hill as the steward. In 1974 we crossed Canada to Vancouver, then back through Chicago and east to Newport News. It was a five-week trip with a retired Pennsylvania Railroad chef on-board to keep us well fed. We made stop-overs in Jasper, Banff, Chicago and Newport News.
C&O_3_1974B by Edmund, on Flickr
In the intervening years I've made more trips on different cars, sometimes "working" and sometimes as a guest and always FUN!
P1090025 by Edmund, on Flickr
The photo above is on board the "Royal Street" a Pullman-built, five-bedroom, lounge-observation car. Definitely a more pleasant journey than in coach.
I wonder if Chapel Hill will make it to her 100-year anniversary. There are rumblings that Amtrak will severely limit private car operations in the near future.
Another slice of history left only to dusty books and Youtube videos
Tell me you wouldn't like to sit and enjoy a favorite beverage while rolling along at 79 in the comfortable surroundings like this?
IMG_0435 by Edmund, on Flickr
Regards, Ed
I know I would.
But my interior designer would bust a gusset. Or whatever they bust.
While comfortable for the likes of you or I (and where's the cutoff on that?), I'm afraid this is a long way from high end.
And if you think that's an elitist comment, how's about you pay the fare for that car? I'll cover the bar tab.
Ed
7j43kI'm afraid this is a long way from high end.
The photos I presented are three different cars decorated in three different motifs.
Perhaps you were thinking more in the persuasion of Beebe and Clegg's Virginia City?
Back when the American Orient Express was running, there was an opportunity for us commoners to enjoy a bit of luxury without chartering a $5k/day private car.
Gold plated commodes and Calcatta Italian marble showers aren't what I would seek as "high end". I'd personally prefer the understated designs of, say, Henry Dryfuss and the 1935 Century.
One man's poison...
gmpullman I almost choked while sipping my Manhattan when I read this, Kevin.
Rich
Alton Junction
richhotrain gmpullman I almost choked while sipping my Manhattan when I read this, Kevin. You choked because you were drinking a Manhattan. Try an Old Fashioned. Much smoother going down. Rich
You choked because you were drinking a Manhattan. Try an Old Fashioned. Much smoother going down.
Finally, some advice I can sink my teeth into!
Thank you, Rich. I'll toast to you this evening
gmpullmanTell me you wouldn't like to sit and enjoy a favorite beverage while rolling along at 79 in the comfortable surroundings like this?
I know you all will think I am crazy, but no. I have made road trips to conventions in "Executive Limousine Busses" that are much more appealing.
As far as sitting on a siding, well, In would rather be hooked up to a pull-through resort RV spot in a 2018 Newmar Essex. Look at this interior! Now that is travel living on an A+ scale!
And the great thing is... you can just go buy one, and drive it wherever you want to! No need to contract with Amtrak or anyone else.
Sorry guys. For me the RV lifestyle is much more appealing than the rail yard lifestyle.
SeeYou190As far as sitting on a siding, well, In would rather be hooked up to a pull-through resort RV spot in a 2018 Newmar Essex.
Well, OK. The masthead here says Model Railroader.
I like railroading.
Sure, joining the Wally Byam Caravan Club hooking up the 'ol Airstream to the Desoto and hitting the asphalt sounds like fun.
I have traveled quite a bit by train. I like it. I promote rail travel as much as possible.
Just my preference, I guess.
Not everyone's cup of tea.