Nice pictures Jonathon! That's the first time I've seen pictures of the lower level area and the stairs. I've seen upper level pictures before, but never the lower level shots. I almost didn't recognize Chris in your picture---major haircut and new glasses?? Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Strange as this may sound, there is actually still some interior resemblance to the car when I first encountered such (or a "sister") aboard the Empire Builder during June 1963 (I was 22 at the time).
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
What is the heritage of this car? Judging from Mr. Norman's post I would say Great Northern?
I've had the pleasure of riding (a number of times) the former Milwaukee Great Dome when it was being used by the NCDOT on the Piedmont. It has since been sold to the Friends of the 261 folks and operates on excursions out of the Twin Cities.....in it's original Milwaukee Road colors.
Posted by MDRR (Member # 2992) on :
I assume this is one of the three that ran regularly on the Amtrak Auto Train back when it operated with heritage equipment.
I think the NCDOT car is one of those as well.
Posted by sfthunderchief (Member # 7204) on :
Domes and Superdomes I've ridden in:
UP Dome CNW Super Dome (reportedly heaviest ever) Santa Fe Super dome #50
All on the same day: October 14, 1990
Posted by amtraxmaniac (Member # 2251) on :
Nice! I recall riding in a dome car about 10 yrs ago when there were still a handful of single level trainsets on the Surfliner. I kind of miss the old Amfleet/Horizon Fleet train sets. Those sets did occasionally come with a dome car. A Sightseer lounge car got you a good side view, but dome cars provide a front facing vista that really gives you a top down view of the rest of the train.
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
quote:Originally posted by MDRR: I assume this is one of the three that ran regularly on the Amtrak Auto Train back when it operated with heritage equipment.
I think the NCDOT car is one of those as well.
Not certain but maybe. I was under the impression that the NCDOT dome came from the C&NW's Business Car fleet. It was originally a CMStP&P car.
NCDOT no longer has their dome. There was a problem with getting it FRA compliant and rather than keep sinking money into it, they sold the car to the Friends of the 261 group. It lives in Minnesota now and has been returned to it's Milwaukee Road color scheme.
Posted by Jerome Nicholson (Member # 3116) on :
I wonder if the dome would be as empty if Amtrak had kept it on the Adirondack - or put it on the Cardinal!
Posted by PullmanCo (Member # 1138) on :
UP Astra-Dome Lounges and Diners (I've passed through but not had passage on a Dome Coach)
ATSF Pleasure Domes
SP home-made 3/4 domes
and NP dome Pullmans (a substitute car on 3/4 back in 1973).
Posted by Amtrak207 (Member # 1307) on :
I believe 10031 used to be Amtrak 9301, Ocean View, during her Auto Train years. I really really really hope this car returns to the Adirondack this fall in time for peak foliage. That was an awesome experience I hope to repeat! It was by no means empty on that train- the coaches were. Everyone was in the dome, with the occasional crop of teenagers playing cards or socializing downstairs where it was quiet.
Posted by CoastStarlight99 (Member # 2734) on :
Awesome photos Jonathan! I like that new Metrolink machine with Amtrak capability too. It's about time! : - )
Posted by JONATHON (Member # 2899) on :
![[Smile]](smile.gif)