Here in Canada, VIA Rail Canada still uses Budd dome cars on their cross country "Canadian" train. They are also in use on their northern train "Hudson Bay". The "Canadian" is not running right now due to the Pandemic, but the "Hudson Bay" is still running as it is an essential service for people in northern Manitoba. The VIA "Skyline" cars are ex Canadian Pacific Railway mid train dome cars. The VIA "Park" cars are ex Canadian Pacific Railway dome/lounge/ sleepers that run on the rear of the train. Paul Smith
Back in 1974, I rode in a dome car, on CN's Supercontinental train. The dome car was added to the train at Edmonton, Alberta, before heading into the Rockies on the way to Vancouver. On that train, only sleeper passengers were allowed in it, as there was a sign prohibiting coach passengers from going into the rear portion of the train. One thing I recall from the dome car was seeing the train going into a tunnel and it appeared as though it was just barely clearing the tunnel. Of course, a couple of beers may have contributed to that impression. There were also stretches where it was a sheer wall up and a sheer drop down to a river, depending on which side of the car you were on. I took the Supercontinenal from Toronto to Vancouver and back. Back in those days, I was a technician with CN Telecommunications and as a rail employee the coach fair was free, but I had to pay for the berths I used. That also got me access to the dining car, instead of the food service car the "low lifes" in coach were confined to.
I road on that train from Grand Junction Colorado to Denver about a dozen times with my Grandmother and sisters. I can still remember how beautiful those Rocky Mountains were in winter, summer and fall.
Had the great fortune to go for a ride in a dome car on the Branson Scenic Railroad recently, and it was a splendid experience. Smooth, floaty sort of ride, and the panoramic view was something else. Thing that impressed me was the air conditioning comes through the panel with the lights up top, definitely needed it with all the light coming through the big windows. Makes me sad dome cars aren't a regular thing anymore, would love to ride one cross country at speed.
Thank you for the tour of a very historic car! Last time my son and I were in Duluth I wanted tickets for this car but there was only one left, so we went on the coaches. Next time, I hope!
I would love to see the day when these iconic beautiful streamline cars are returned to service. Amtrak's observation car/cafe car is cool and all, but they're too uniform.
The main reason this service was loss not so much the drop in passenger business but when the U S Government started moving mail by air. Note your passenger trains always had 3- 5 mail cars in their consist..
Other than moonlight services, a nighttime thunderstorm is an awesome Vista in a "thunderdome".
Nothing compares with dome travel. I made several trips to Denver just to ride the Rio Grande Zephyr from there to Salt Lake City and enjoy the domes.
It's great to see that you have pieces from a rail company from my hometown
Here in Canada, VIA Rail Canada still uses Budd dome cars on their cross country "Canadian" train. They are also in use on their northern train "Hudson Bay". The "Canadian" is not running right now due to the Pandemic, but the "Hudson Bay" is still running as it is an essential service for people in northern Manitoba. The VIA "Skyline" cars are ex Canadian Pacific Railway mid train dome cars. The VIA "Park" cars are ex Canadian Pacific Railway dome/lounge/ sleepers that run on the rear of the train.
Paul Smith
Back in 1974, I rode in a dome car, on CN's Supercontinental train. The dome car was added to the train at Edmonton, Alberta, before heading into the Rockies on the way to Vancouver. On that train, only sleeper passengers were allowed in it, as there was a sign prohibiting coach passengers from going into the rear portion of the train. One thing I recall from the dome car was seeing the train going into a tunnel and it appeared as though it was just barely clearing the tunnel. Of course, a couple of beers may have contributed to that impression. There were also stretches where it was a sheer wall up and a sheer drop down to a river, depending on which side of the car you were on. I took the Supercontinenal from Toronto to Vancouver and back. Back in those days, I was a technician with CN Telecommunications and as a rail employee the coach fair was free, but I had to pay for the berths I used. That also got me access to the dining car, instead of the food service car the "low lifes" in coach were confined to.
I road on that train from Grand Junction Colorado to Denver about a dozen times with my Grandmother and sisters. I can still remember how beautiful those Rocky Mountains were in winter, summer and fall.
Had the great fortune to go for a ride in a dome car on the Branson Scenic Railroad recently, and it was a splendid experience. Smooth, floaty sort of ride, and the panoramic view was something else.
Thing that impressed me was the air conditioning comes through the panel with the lights up top, definitely needed it with all the light coming through the big windows.
Makes me sad dome cars aren't a regular thing anymore, would love to ride one cross country at speed.
My aunt worked the Railroad. Chicago to Seattle. She was definitely a Registered Nurse. She left to work a MASH unit in Vietnam and a military career
I rode on one in Branson Missouri, absolutely incredible
Wow! What a deluxe way to travel!
I just learned that passenger cars installed double pane glass .was insulated glass used first in houses or trains?
The last remaining all stainless steel passenger train 1950's Budd built operates today with Dome Cars. Via Rail's ex-Canadian Pacific "The Canadian".
Thank you for the tour of a very historic car! Last time my son and I were in Duluth I wanted tickets for this car but there was only one left, so we went on the coaches. Next time, I hope!
Good video, but he should have mentioned that these cars were limited in certain areas due to tunnels.
I would love to see the day when these iconic beautiful streamline cars are returned to service. Amtrak's observation car/cafe car is cool and all, but they're too uniform.
This is another reason why I always traveled the Northern Pacific's North Coast Limited...all the stewardesses were registered nurses.
0:14 is that a Santa fe hi-level car in the background or is is a pullman commuter car?
How do you even replace glass with a certain curvature like that? Custom fab?
Yes.
How did you get the scale car in the display case in the corner? Did someone build it?
The main reason this service was loss not so much the drop in passenger business but when the U S Government started moving mail by air. Note your passenger trains always had 3- 5 mail cars in their consist..
Do you have a dining car in your fleet? If so can you review it?
Don’t you guys have a northern pacific dome car? I’ve seen videos of you guys using a Green northern pacific dome car.
That was a leased car we used for a year a few years back.
Amtrak is FOOLISH to not use/build Vista Domes instead of Superliners, whereas you are unable to look forward or behind.
Is that just this one painted in green?
Do they ever get people who claim residents on the train?
I rode in that car