In 1950, Pullman Standard delivered 6 "Pleasure Domes" for the "Super Chief". The cars had 2 unique features; the "Turquoise Room", and parlor-car style revolving seats in the dome.
The "Turquoise Room", in the short end of the car and always coupled to the diner, seated 12 and was available for private luncheon, cocktail, or dinner parties. The deorative keynote was a reproduction of a silver-accented indian turquoise medallion, displayed in a shadow box on the forward wall.
Under the dome was a cocktail room and forward was a lounge.
In the dome were 8 parlor chairs in the center, with standard double seats in each end facing away from the center. The parlor chairs could be revolved freely for ideal viewing angles.
(Just to note) In 1957 the Pleasure Domes received outside swing hangar trucks and a more up to date remodeled main floor lounge with new furniture in a new arrangement. A decorative panel was installed at the base of the dome staircase between that spot and the main lounge. The main lounge bulkheads received the Indian Sand Paintings at that time. (Some Pleasure Dome Sand Paintings were damaged in the early 70's when Amtrak placed magazine racks top of the paintings with drilled holes for mounting hardware.)
A new lowered ceiling was installed in the main lounge area with punctured panels to create a subtle "star light" effect. Similar to what Budd had introduced on their Big (full length) Dome cars.
The lower lever Bar area was also updated, with tall brass(?)finial fixtures designed by a Topeka shop employee, and new furniture. Also, a decorative wall between the hall and the Turquoise Room replaced the retracting or sliding wall panel area, which formerly was used to open the Turquoise Room as additional lounge seating during non-dining hours. (info courtesy Hubert "BuddPulman")
|