| Posted by CaliforniaRailroader on January 18, 2009 | |
They look a lot like single level SP Gallery Cars, right down to the color.
|
| Posted by Larz on January 18, 2009 | |
Those are absolutely amazing looking cars! Looks like a new HO project for me! Great classic pic!
|
| Posted by Nikko P on January 18, 2009 | |
Wow these are odd cars! Were they rebuilt from the SP Gallery Cars by any chance?
|
| Posted by Marty Bernard on January 18, 2009 | |
They predate galley cars by maybe decades! Those doors are an early version of galley car doors.
|
| Posted by CaliforniaRailroader on January 18, 2009 | |
Actually, the SP started using Gallery Cars in the 50's, and Caltrain continues to use similar models.
|
| Posted by J. C. Smith, Jr. on January 20, 2009 | |
These cars, unique to the Rock Island, were painted Pullman green and featured rattan (cane) seats like some early subway cars! In the late sixties, one set was painted bright red with the yellow stripe and italic Rock Island road name, like the Rock's Pullman-built gallery cars. When pulled by a similarly-attired E-unit, the train was a sight to behold. There were plans to aid scratch-building such cars, printed in Railroad Model Craftsman about 40 years ago, and some company actually made these in brass about the same time. There are lots of windows here, so good luck modelers!
|
| Posted by J. C. Smith, Jr. on January 26, 2009 | |
I must correct my previous statement concerning the origin of these unusual cars. The builder was Pullman-Standard, not St. Louis Car, with the Worcester, MA (famous for PCC trolley cars and "American Flyer" coaches) plant constructing the 20-car (2700-2719) group. Also of interest is the cars were equipped with a Waukesha "Ice-Engine" air conditioning system and a Waukesha "Enginator" diesel generator set for electrical needs. The Enginator's exhaust stack can be seen alongside the 2709's diaphragm.
|
|