WABASH
On February 26 1950, Wabash discontinued their existing heavyweight trainset and inaugurated a new streamlined Chicago-St Louis "Blue Bird". The consist included 3 dome-coaches and a dome-observation, with the cars built by Budd.
In 1952, Pulman Standard delivered a parlor car. Tucked under the dome was the "Blue Bird Room", available, like Santa Fe's "Turquoise Room"s, for private parties or as a first-class lounge. This car was added to the "Bluebird", and a freed up dome coach was then switched to the consist of the "City of Kansas City".
In 1958, PS delivered an additional coach (along with an order to UP), the last delivery of new domes ever built. The car was an observation and was a "pool" share (in UP colors) to make the "City of St. Louis" a 2-dome train. These final cars were the only curved-glass short domes ever built by PS.
Both 1601 and 1602 were assigned Pullman "Plan #'s", as they were staffed by Pullman Corp employees.
All domes were leased by N&W after takeover, and like other Wabash assets, all except 1602 operated in original colors and full Wabash titles until stored 8/66 at Roanoke VA.
|
