Former Amtrak Streamliner Cars
Amtrak Slumbercoach #2090 Loch Tarbet
Gull
Build Date: 1954
Builder: Edward G. Budd Company
Road: Baltimore & Ohio 7102/Seaboard Coast Line/Amtrak
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 Gull was part of a series of 16 roomette, 4 double bedroom cars built for the Baltimore and Ohio and served its National Limited and Capitol Limited trains, among others. It was configured so that the double bedrooms were located in the center of the car, which provided a quieter, smoother ride. These cars were later sold to the Seaboard Coast Line and used in economy sleeper service, and put into Amtrak service in 1971. The Gull was purchased by the Museum in 2005.
Southland/Loch Tarbet
Build Date: 1959
Builder: Edward G. Budd Company
Road: Missouri Pacific 699/Northern Pacific 329/ Amtrak 2028
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 Slumbercoach design was built to provide economical sleeping quarters at the lowest cost to the traveler and was one of the last new sleeping cars built by Budd. These cars provided private sleeping accommodations and a lavatory at a cost only slightly higher than coach travel but did not include the first class status provided other sleeping car patrons. Southland, which contained 24 single rooms and 8 double rooms, was built in September 1959 for daily service between Washington, D.C. and San Antonio, Texas in conjunction with three similar cars leased from Budd by the Baltimore and Ohio. They operated on the B&O's National Limited east of St. Louis and the Texas Eagle west of St. Louis. Southland was the only Slumbercoach operated by Missouri Pacific. Upon expiration of its lease in 1964, it was sold to the Northern Pacific and served on the North Coast Limited and Mainstreeter until its sale to Amtrak in 1971. Very popular with budget minded travelers to the end, Amtrak did not retire its Slumbercoaches from service on its Silver Star and Silver Meteor trains until the late 1990s. The last of Amtrak's Slumbercoaches were sold at auction in 2001. The Museum's Slumbercoach was purchased in 2005.
Pine Ring
Build Date: 1950
Builder: Edward G. Budd Co.
Road: Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway/Amtrak
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.
Pine Ring was one of 27 "Pine series" cars built in 1950 for the 1951 edition of Santa Fe's all first class Chicago - Los Angeles "Super Chief." It was a "10 and 6" sleeping car with ten single occupancy roomettes and six double bedrooms. Pine Ring was operated by the Santa Fe on the Super Chief and Texas Chief as well as in run through service from Washington, D.C. to Chicago on the Baltimore and Ohio Capitol Limited. The car continued in service from creation of Amtrak in 1971 and served as part of Amtrak's "heritage fleet" until retirement. Several of the "Pine series" cars remain in use on Amtrak as crew dormitories even after more than 55 years of service. Pine Ring was graciously donated by Ms. Katherine Schultz in 2005.