In a truly generous act and demonstration of good stewardship, the California State Railroad Museum has gifted former Texas & Pacific Business Car #2 to the Museum of the American Railroad. Now in Union Pacific livery and numbered 103, the 97-year-old car is back on Texas rails. This remarkable partnership in preservation between two museums was years in the making, culminating in its arrival in the wee hours of the morning on Friday, September 6.

Business cars were Learjets of their day, having lavish accommodations that maximized railroad management’s efficiency while entertaining and impressing their clientele. UP 103 was no exception, featuring the latest in all-steel construction methods, while having fine hardwoods throughout its interior.

Built in 1928 by American Car and Foundry in Saint Louis, T&P #2 was one of a pair of business cars assigned to upper management. It was no doubt occupied by railroad legend John L. Lancaster, T&P’s president from 1917 to 1945. He is credited with pulling the T&P out of financial straits and securing major investments in new passenger station and freight facilities in Fort Worth. He is celebrated as one whose work greatly aided the City’s recovery from the Great Depression.

Following extensive modernization including streamlined roof, sealed double-paned windows, air conditioning and new paint, T&P Business Car #2 pauses on Dallas Union Terminal trackage – likely bringing up the rear of the Texas Eagle. The paint scheme is T&P’s famous blue and cream with buff accent stripes from the line’s streamliner era.

Just a few years after modernization, T&P #2 was absorbed into parent Missouri Pacific’s business car fleet and renumbered #10. This photo ca. 1970 shows the car painted in MP’s “Jenks Blue”, named after former president Downing B. Jenks. The scheme is a holdover from the final years of passenger service on the MP. The car still retains its original mahogany paneling throughout.

Designed for end-of-train service, UP 103 has an open rear platform, typical of most business cars. Its interior floor plan includes private accommodations, including staterooms, rear salon/office, formal dining room, and galley with crew’s quarters. The car defines opulence of the era, when railroads were at the pinnacle of growth, and their managers were traveling in style tending to business and entertaining shippers. What better way to impress a client or influence a legislator than to serve them an elegant private dinner while touring the physical plant?

Like all business cars, UP 103 was meticulously maintained, and received numerous upgrades throughout its career. The car was extensively modernized by the T&P in 1964, with the addition of a new streamline style roof, thermopane windows, air conditioning, and modern trucks. It was conveyed to the Missouri Pacific Railroad and re-numbered 10 following the line’s absorption of the T&P. It became part of Union Pacific’s business car fleet following the merger with MP in 1982.

UP 103 traveled over UP rails between Sacramento, El Paso, and Fort Worth, arriving at Davidson Yard on August 31. The business car was interchanged to BNSF from UP at Fort Worth. Above, UP 103 is on the rear of BNSF’s Fort Worth–Tulsa freight scheduled to depart North Yard for Frisco via Irving September 5. Our sincere thanks to Union Pacific and BNSF for an outstanding job of transporting 103 to Texas!

Riding on the “Cadillac” of trucks, UP 103 was retrofitted with double-drop-equalized, outside-swing-hanger, roller bearing versions at some point in its life. This was typical of business cars following modernization, which provided the smoothest, quietest ride to occupants. In fact, MP was known to “reallocate” these trucks from their first-class sleeping cars after exiting the passenger business.

In 1992, UP 103 was retired and donated to the California State Railroad Museum. The car was well cared for during the ensuing years, but a shift in focus and space constraints led to discussions with our museum about giving it a new role in Texas. Given its provenance on the T&P, we both enthusiastically decided to bring the car home. But how would we go about moving a 1928 vintage rail car some 2,000 miles to Frisco?

In this view, T&P #2 is in its original as-delivered configuration. Built by ACF of St. Louis in 1928, it displays typical heavyweight passenger car features including clerestory roof, wood sashes, friction bearing trucks, and finished in Pullman green.

This image provides a good side-by-side comparison of the car following modernization. Seen here ca. 1971 and renumbered MP #10, the car exhibits exterior characteristics of newer streamlined passenger cars. This is essentially the configuration UP 103 has today.

Despite its age, a thorough mechanical inspection revealed no major concerns about moving UP 103 on its own wheels. We enlisted Union Pacific and BNSF to partner in bringing the car to Texas, and they rose to the occasion. Working with their public affairs, operating, and mechanical folks, the lines provided seamless transportation at reduced cost, delivering 103 without a scratch. We are very grateful to everyone at both railroads for their support.

UP 103 joins the collection as a significant piece of Texas railroad history. It represents the T&P when it was an independent road, providing a vital transcontinental connection between Texarkana, Dallas/Fort Worth and El Paso. The line put North Texas on the map when it crossed the Houston & Texas Central in 1873, creating the first major rail junction in Dallas. The H&TC was constructed a year earlier on its way from Houston to the Red River and points north.

*Finally, our prized acquisition no doubt graced the rear of T&P’s famous* Sunshine Special many times. The premiere passenger train is seen here while pausing in Fort Worth on its way from El Paso to St. Louis. In this ca. 1933 view, the Texas & Pacific station is seen in the background. Just a few years old here, construction of the famous station is a testament to the leadership and success of then-president John L. Lancaster. The building survives today as a prime example of Zigzag Moderne art deco design, and is the western terminus of TRE commuter trains, while serving as event space and high-rise residential lofts. H.D. Connor photo, MAR Collection

Our sincere thanks to our friends at the California State Railroad Museum, including California State Parks, and the CSRM Foundation. And kudos to Union Pacific and BNSF for teaming up to safely transport this high value shipment and help preserve our nation’s railroad heritage.

Museum Hosts Social Studies Educators

How Local Museums Can Enrich Educational Curriculum

The Museum of the American Railroad hosted the Metroplex Social Studies Supervisors Association’s first 2024-2025 academic year meeting on September 20. The event was attended by over 50 educators and was facilitated by members of Frisco ISD’s social studies department. The meeting’s theme was “How Local Museums Can Enrich Educational Curriculum” and featured representatives from museums in Dallas and Collin Counties.

As host, our museum proudly showcased its unique offerings to area schools over a broad range of grade levels and topics. Our staff and volunteers provided guided tours of select pieces of rolling stock along with a visit to TrainTopia, the 2,500 square foot model train exhibit.

Over 50 social studies supervisors from around the Metroplex gathered on September 20th to hear presentations from MAR, other local museums, and FISD, as well as to discuss educational issues and initiatives for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Museum CEO Bob LaPrelle addresses MSSSA attendees in the Museum’s restored 1937 M-K-T dining car. He presented to three separate groups and discussed the Museum’s ethnic studies programs, including African American Studies and Pullman Porters.

Our popular school study trip programs were highlighted, including 3rd Grade, 7th Grade, and high school Ethnic Studies. Attendees enjoyed samplings of the Museum’s presentations on Texas History, African American Studies, and technological innovations through the lens of the railroad. They included the growth of Texas through rail expansion & settlements, Pullman Porters and the rise of the black middle class, and engineering marvels & career paths in today’s railroad industry.

Our guests were treated to a light breakfast courtesy of ABOTA, with lunch provided by the Museum. In addition to the Museum of the American Railroad, presenters included The Sixth Floor Museum, Dallas Holocaust and Civil Rights Museum, Juanita Craft Civil Rights House, World Affairs Council of D/FW, American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and the Dallas Historical Society.

Museum volunteer Jerry Dawson demonstrates the Museum’s telegraphy exhibit, an interactive communication learning station tailored to 7th graders. Designed by Rick Reinacker, the computerized activity draws on modern technologies to teach telegraphy – one of the earliest forms of communication!

Volunteer Rick Reinacker welcomes MSSSA attendees aboard the Museum’s 1920 Cotton Belt Drover’s caboose. Inside, participants learn about the railroad’s role in moving livestock and crops from the fields to processing centers as part of the Museum’s Texas History and Transcontinental Railroad units for 3rd and 7th graders.

The presentations were followed by Frisco ISD’s update on initiatives and challenges in social studies programs entitled Courageous Leadership, and MSSSA’s general meeting and planning session.

We were honored and proud to host the first MSSSA meeting of the year. We heard many positive comments from attendees, along with great interest in our educational programs. Our sincere thanks to FISD for their continued partnership with the Museum. We have long held the belief that museums have an essential role in education, providing first-hand evidence of our cultural existence past, present, and future.

Our special thanks to the Museum’s wonderful volunteer crew who assisted with event set-up, tours, and presentations!

Rolling Stock Exterior Painting Continues

With track and platform construction complete, we now shift our focus to the collection. Nearly a decade of basic infrastructure investment has assured our future as a top-notch outdoor attraction, but the historic locomotives and cars must be maintained as well. With an average age of 77 years, time and exposure have taken their toll on several pieces. Recognizing that these are irreplaceable artifacts, we place the highest priority on their care and conservation – within our financial means. We also understand the importance of their appearance in a city that continues to grow and flourish.

Our long-term strategy is to construct the 100,000 square foot Exhibits Pavilion. We plan to launch the capital campaign to raise funds early next year. Planning and design of the period-style structure is complete, which will provide shelter for our priceless collection and our guests.

However, while we raise funds to make the Pavilion a reality, we will work in earnest to continue essential repairs and repaint select pieces in the collection. This work is being accomplished through the efforts of our dedicated volunteers and experienced contractors. Like everything we do as a non-profit, budgeting for these projects is often challenging, requiring contributions from businesses, individuals, and foundations. The average cost of a paint job on one of our locomotives or rail cars is $25,000 - $40,000 including labor and materials.

If you would like to make a difference and help save a piece of equipment while adding value to the Museum’s work here in North Texas, contact us about funding painting and restoration projects that are queued up for the next few years.

Below are eight exterior painting and restoration projects currently underway.