Disposition of the “Top of the Cap”/Pacific Parlour Cars

[John_Perkowski]

The five Kachina Lounge Hi Level cars built by Budd for the ATSF El Capitan, which later served Amtrak as Pacific Parlour Cars, have found a new home.

They’ll be working on the Polar Express, as grown ups cars.

[markhb]

For which railroad? I was unable to view the facebook story.

[Backshophoss]

Try https://www.michigansteamtrain.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
No details on website except for Polar Express tickets,figure on a quick sellout when the"word"gets out.

[Tadman]

Glad to see they went to a good home. I just wish SRI would do a few runs out of Detroit or Chicago, Owosso is in the middle of nowhere. Obviously Chicago or Detroit is a large undertaking requiring Class 1 cooperation, which is a big ask.

[Gilbert B Norman]

For the benefit of those around here, such as myself, who live life quite well without Facebook, here is TRAINS Newswire report on the acquisition:

Fair Use:

OWOSSO, Mich. – Two Amtrak Pacific Parlour Cars will soon join Steam Railroading Institute’s passenger car fleet. The cars were built as Santa Fe Hi-level lounges by the Budd Co. in 1956 and used until last year by Amtrak on the Coast Starlight.

They are set to become “Pere Marquette Parlor” first class cars on the Institute’s popular North Pole Express holiday excursions behind 2-8-4 No. 1225, the engine that starred in the Polar Express movie and books. The Steam Railroading Institute, owners of PM 1225, have purchased two Pacific Parlor Cars, one of them being 39975 Williamette Valley (confirmed by Trains) and the other rumored to be 39970 Columbia Valley.

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[Pensyfan19]

As caught by Virtual Railfan, Pacific Parlor Cars Santa Lucia Highlands and Sonoma Valley have been spotted on the back of a Texas Eagle on November 18. After doing research, it is likely that they will be going to Dallas Texas, but I am not sure why. Is this for storage, scrappage, or for preservation of the two cars?

[Matt Johnson]

After doing research, it is likely that they will be going to Dallas Texas, but I am not sure why. Is this for storage, scrappage, or for preservation of the two cars?

Headed to the Dallas Terminal Railroad, which from what I've gathered isn't much of a railroad but has a collection of ex-Santa Fe hi-levels, so maybe there's some plan for future use.

[Backshophoss]

Wonder if that's the cars from IP/SLRG selloff,was the most complete set of "EL-CAP" cars, the 2 Parlor/Sky Lounge cars would complete the set

[charlesriverbranch]

As far as I know none of the Hi-Levels ever ran behind steam on the ATSF.

[Backshophoss]

They could,When ATSF 2926 is hot and running sometime in2021.