This is a USAF/SAC (Strategic Air Command) B-52 Mobile Simulator Train. The train consisted of an Administration Car, two B-52 Simulator Cars, and a Crew Car. Due to a shortage of simulators and the mission of SAC, whose air crews were on alert and needed to be close to the planes, bringing the simulators to the bases was the most efficient way to keep the crews near their aircraft at all times. As far as I can determine, there were 2 or 3 sets of cars that traveled on a circuit of three bases each where the B-52’s were stationed. The cars traveled on regular freight trains and were escorted by USAF personal. The B-52 simulators cars were converted from WW-I hospital cars in the early 1960’s and had concrete floors to support the delicate equipment. These cars were heavy at 180 tons and had expandable sides at the cockpit section and cabinets that housed the electronics and electro-mechanical servo systems. The Administration Car had additional equipment cabinets, an office area and a small galley area for the escorts. The Crew Car appears to be a Pullman built, WWII Troop Car that was converted. In the late 60’s, several of these flight simulators were converted for the KC-135 air tankers that supported the B-52’s mission, which was easy as they were both built by Boeing and had similar cockpits. This program ran into the early 80’s before being decommissioned. This train stayed a B-52 Simulator till the end and has a Cruise Missile inside as a training aid.
