Can someone possibly tell me on what train or trains the business car was used in place of the observation car ?... Thanks in advance.
Tracklayer
Generally, a business car was tacked on to the rear of whatever first class train was available that would be convenient for the particular official involved, however, I have never witnessed a business car movement on any of the "extra-fare" premier trains, i.e. Super Chief, Twentieth Century, Broadway, Daylight, etc. as the handling of such cars would impede the tight schedule. Most pass holders were denied access to such trains, too.
If the right-of-way inspection was part of the trip the official would request a daylight move. If no first class train was available for moving the car, with or without the official on board, a second class train would be used. Sometimes the cars were set-out at intermediate stations and frequently, they ventured into freight only territory.
I don't have any specific information about the AT&SF operations but I wouldn't think there was anything different in the way they handled business cars. If you can get your hands on the September/October 1999 issue of Vintage Rails there is a good article by Steve Patterson about life aboard a Santa Fe business car.
Back in the "glory" days of railroading many of the larger roads had business cars for not only the president, vice president and other top officials, but the road-foreman, traffic managers and some of the top sales agents would have cars available to them as well.
I've had this Telex in my collection for years, finally got a reason to share it...
Good Luck, Ed