WP 816 "Silver Scout" coach - 3/48, AUT 471 (6/70), Lakeside Custom Pools Wilson Engineering Cleburne TX (12/81) - automotive remains in full Auto Train colors. WP 817 "Silver Thistle" coach - 3/48, AUT 464 (6/70), James E Strates Shows, Kasten Railcar (1984), Ralph Orlandella Sacramento CA (1984) - automobile was purchased within the interest of garnering interest in a 40th anniversary "CZ" run which would have taken place during 1989. After these plans fell by way of the car was bought during 1987 to Via Rail as 522 - saved inactive in Montreal. WP 831 "Silver Chalet" dorm-buffet-lounge - 11/48, BN 252(2) - - - Note: BN 252(1) "Silver Roundup" was stored in WP Oakland CA yard after the final run of the CZ on March 21/22 1970. The car was present in flames in April, was a writeoff from being gutted, and was stashed in a corner of the yard whereas the WP and CB&Q worked out a deal.
That "deal" turned out to be WP handing over their instance of the same automotive "Silver Chalet". Seeing the pictures posted introduced back a number of recollections from the summer of '86. My dad and one other owner and that i took all of the dome windows out, re-gasketed them, cleaned out all the window channels and put the windows again in. We additionally changed a bunch of leaky/broken side windows. For a few rank amateurs we did a pretty good job. In addition we refurbished the inside of the dome with new pedestal seats, cocktail tables, carpet and paint. Car suffered $130,000 damage 4/03 from a fire caused by a smoldering cushion next to a baseboard heater, however might be restored. The car was turned over to the BN, as the "Q" had become BN on 3/03/70. BN assigned number 804, which like virtually all other assigned BN numbers, was never utilized, and BN actually renumbered the automobile as 252(2), however retained the "Chalet" name.
Western Pacific was a "Above ground pool installation Texas" participant within the "California Zephyr" along with Burlington and the Rio Grande. Sold 12/10 to Jon Clark. WP 811 "Silver Dollar" coach - 3/48, AUT 460 (6/70), Ken Nichols/Anbel Corp, J Williams/Starlight Limited Inc San Antonio TX (1983) "Starlight Limited" (800137) stripped & gutted for conversion to P.V. WP 812 "Silver Feather" coach - 3/48, AUT 461 (6/70), Don Gage Jamestown NY (12/81), Jim Stephenson Bellare TX (1985) "Feather River" (not applied) - 24 hour pool services Texas Southern, Transcisco (1990), Washington Central WCRC 151 (1993), Pacific Starlight Dinner Train 151 "Moonglow" (800175) (5/97). Operation shut down and automobile listed for sale late 2002. Sold to Ontario Northland 2/2004 as ONT 901 and moved east on rear of 'Canadian' 4/04 with total dinner practice consist. WP 814 "Silver Sage" coach - 5/48, AUT 463 (6/70), R Buhro Walbridge OH (12/81), Ed Braun, R J Corman - used as workplace for "My Old Kentucky Dinner Train". Illinois Transit Assembly (1999). To Les Kasten 2002. bought 11/04 - automobile remaining at ITAC. Marie "Spirit of Superior".
The personal rooms have been transformed to card-enjoying rooms, and car was painted as "Amtrak" (this was mandated on the time by Amtrak (FAQ) for Pool Services any PV automobiles moved by Amtrak - automotive was never owned by Amtrak). This automotive was then purchased, together with ten different passenger cars, two locomotives, and ten cabooses, by a group in San Luis Potosí MX. The automobile next handed to the Ferrocarril del Pacífico and the sleeping rooms had been reinstalled on the Empalme outlets. Red tape prevented this automotive and it's prepare from making a first run on the LA-San Diego line until 2/78, and then the operation lasted solely six months and the practice set was stored in LA. 1987 automotive bought to "Copper Canyon Tours Co." as CCTX 108 "San Fernando" and later "Chihuahua" to be used on the Ch al Pacifico Ry "Copper Canyon" prepare. When that enterprise failed, the Ch-P acquired the gear in partial fee of operating prices and continued to use it. The private cars had been moved the premises of Silver Creek International in that city.