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In addition to managing this forum, I also manage www.pacificparlourcar.com -- which traces the history and locations of the former Amtrak Coast Starlight Pacific Parlour Cars. I just updated the site and added new information -- take a look.
There were six cars that Amtrak inherited from the Santa Fe. #39970 and #39975 are now owned by the Steam Railroading Institute in Michigan. They use the PPCs on their Christmas Steam Train with the #1225. #39971 was the only un-refurbished car. It remains sitting outside of St. Louis, where it has been for almost 20 years. It is owned by Dave Hoffman of Northern Sky Charters. There is some buzz the car might be donated soon to a railroad museum. #39972 is owned by the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad, which does weekly wine and cheese tastings aboard from mid-May to late October. #39973 and #39974 went to John Radovich at the Dallas Terminal Railroad. I don't think the cars have been used there, but were purchased for use as charters or the Christmas Train in Galveston, Texas.
If you are looking to ride a Pacific Parlour Car, the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad is your best bet.
I will be hosting most of the Sunday wine and cheese tastings this year -- at 11AM and 2PM.
We produced a 9 minute movie about the history of the car that paid passengers will get to view. I also have a scrapbook of various history items for viewing.
Come on up this summer!
Ocala Mike Member # 4657
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I remember a "Big Bang Theory" episode where the gang is riding on Amtrak and Sheldon is lecturing them about the history of the Pacific Parlour Car.
Admin5 Member # 1
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Yep! They did mention it in the Big Bang Theory! Even though the train they were on (TV set) looked nothing like the Coast Starlight.
#39974 was used in the closing minute or two of the hit 2003 movie "The Italian Job"
Ocala Mike Member # 4657
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Nothing like topic creep - LOL. The best ever was in "North By Northwest." New York Central sleeper realistically shot in the consist of the "Century" at its berth on Track 34, GCT. Also an iconic scene between Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint, but that's another subject altogether!
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