Frequently asked questions
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What is the history of the dome car?
The car was built in 1937 or '38 for the Southern Pacific as a tavern-lounge car. It was constructed by Pullman-Standard. In the mid-1950's there was competitive pressure to add dome cars to the passenger trains in the western US. The SP examined their options, including buying new cars from Pullman or Budd (or ACF). Instead, the chose to roll their own in the Sacramento shops. The purchased the dome structure from Budd, and placed it on a re-built superstructure based on the old lounge car. No one seems to know exactly how much of the lounge car remains. Out assumption is that the "flat car" is the same but the car body and interior were all new in 1956.
What are the plans for the dome car?
First, restore the structural integrity of the car, up to Amtrak standards. Then, while keeping the look and feel to be the classic SP of 1956 vintage, upgrade all the systems to modern technology.
The main use of the car will be on local, short excursion runs here in Oregon. We will also use it when (not if) we get the SP 4449 out on the mainline again.
Where is the car? Can I look at it?
The restoration will happen at Lavacot Industrial Park in Independence, Oregon. As of May, 2023 it's not there yet, and it will be several weeks until we get it there. Once we're settled we'll have a couple of scheduled open houses, and you can feel free to stop by. We suggest you call to see what our plans are. While we'll be working seriously it's not going to be a classic 9-5 Monday-Friday schedule.
How can I follow what's going on?
News will be posted on this site, and also on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@davidcautley847/playlists?view=1&sort=dd&shelf_id=0 and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/railcarrestoration/.