Let’s Make an Observation

Round End Chair Observation

Build Date: 1940

Builder: Pullman-Standard

Road: Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway 3197

Beginning in the early 1930s, the railroads began a program of modernizing passenger trains using railroad cars of lighter, streamlined passenger trains constructed of aluminum or stainless steel. The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy's "Pioneer Zephyr," began operation in 1934 and caused a sensation with its record breaking inaugural run. The entire three car stainless steel trainset weighed 197,000 pounds - less than a single "heavyweight" Pullman car. The streamlined train came to represent the newest and finest in rail travel as the railroads sought to compete with airlines and the interstate highway system, and largely replaced the once common heavyweight Pullmans. Indeed, sleeping cars built by the Edward G. Budd company and owned by the railroads were a direct challenge to the traditional Pullman built, owned and operated sleeping car. The museum's most recent acquisitions are five stainless steel cars of similar construction to the Pioneer Zephyr, which illustrate the evolution of railroad passenger car construction following the heavyweight era.

The round end observation car was the hallmark of the new streamlined passenger trains, usually carrying a colorful illuminated "drumhead" with train's logo. Car number 3197 was built for Santa Fe's El Capitan in 1940 and served on that train until 1956 when it received all hi-level equipment. Most round end observation cars were rebuilt with a conventional flat end for more flexible use in trains, but 3197 retained its original streamlined shape to the end. In its last years of service it was paired with motor cars M.160 and M.190 on Santa Fe's Clovis - Carlsbad, New Mexico train "The Cavern." Car number 3197 was donated by the Santa Fe railway along with "doodlebug" M.160 in January 1969.