Nostalgia & History > Inside an ex-SP lounge

April 80
A few inside ex-SP bar-lounge 3310 (SP 2988) built by Budd in 1950 for the Sunset Limited.
Here it is on Amtraks version of the Sunset.

Gary

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Thanks for these interior views. It looks "railroad comfortable" in that it is basic but comfortable and not first-class.
Bob

I like it, still an ashtray era

As built in 1950, the 2988 and its five sisters (2987-2992) were designated "French Quarter Lounges" complete
with what was called a "Stewardess Room", a "Valet" room with barber chair and a shower/dressing room. 
Just prior to inauguration the decision was made to omit the barber chair and the service was never offered on 
the lightweight Sunset although valet service was offered and handled in that room. The shower service was
utilized, for first-class passengers, and was handled by the valet. In SP service the bartender occupied the bedroom
identified as the "Stewardess Room".

According to the  book Sunset Limited, the 2987 is preserved at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento.

Thanks for posting these photos, Gary.

Charlie
 

 

The interior photos are really interesting.
Thanks for the excellent posting.
ALLEN
 

No why a match as to  how it looked under the SP Sunset Limited!

mundo Wrote:
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> No why a match as to  how it looked under the SP
> Sunset Limited!

Several threads with good photos of the old SP interior, but here's one: 
https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?11,2044705,page=1

mundo Wrote:
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> No way a match as to how it looked under the SP
> Sunset Limited!

Yes, very true Ed.  But, certainly much better than during the Heritage Fleet era after Amtrak ran a bulldozer thru them and they became unrecognizable. 

Great shots, Gary.  A prized historical record of a classic series of cars after refurb by Amtrak.

So did Amtrak further redue the cars from the photo's posted.

Ed

Great photo.

dan Wrote:
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> I like it, still an ashtray era

One thing I do not miss from Amtrak's earlier days is the smoked-filled lounge cars.

mundo Wrote:
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> So did Amtrak further redue the cars from the
> photo's posted.
>
> Ed

The photo reflects their average appearance during the steam heat/DC era.  But as noted, for conversion to HEP the cars were gutted and made into various and sundry other configurations such as Auto Train buffet cars.  Nothing was left whatsoever of their original interiors.  So the one in Sacramento is the only survivor in original condition.

Thanks Gary, I only remember this car when it was in SP colors.  I have been educated again. I am very glad to see the car occupied with travelers.
Say, was that real simulated wood paneling they used on the walls?

dan Wrote:
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> I like it, still an ashtray era

And when passengers graciously drank their beverages, ate a snack, maybe had a cigarette or two, then left the lounge for other passengers.  These days, far too many people 'camp out' in the lounge with their devices and make everyone else on the train 'miss out' on a true 'lounge' experience, even if the Amfleet and Viewliner II 'lounges' are quite 'sterile' in their appearance and uncomfortable as well.  Superliner SSLs aren't much better.

RuleG Wrote:
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> Great photo.
>
> dan Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I like it, still an ashtray era
>
> One thing I do not miss from Amtrak's earlier days
> is the smoked-filled lounge cars.

Sir, your quiche is ready in the politically correct car.  

fbb37 Wrote:
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> RuleG Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Great photo.
> >
> > dan Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > I like it, still an ashtray era
> >
> > One thing I do not miss from Amtrak's earlier
> days
> > is the smoked-filled lounge cars.
>
> Sir, your quiche is ready in the politically
> correct car.  

Amtrak did a good job of destroying the interior of these cars, I'll say that.

I agree, the link below is an excellent spread on the interior of the French Quarter car pre-Amtrak. Notch16 did an awesome job documenting the color and glitz of the car.

> Several threads with good photos of the old SP
> interior, but here's one: 
> https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?11
> ,2044705,page=1



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/07/21 11:06 by Hou74-76.

fbb37 Wrote:
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> RuleG Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Great photo.
> >
> > dan Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > I like it, still an ashtray era
> >
> > One thing I do not miss from Amtrak's earlier
> days
> > is the smoked-filled lounge cars.
>
> Sir, your quiche is ready in the politically
> correct car.  

Being a smoker or objecting to cigarette smoke has nothing to do with a person's politics.  It is a comfort and health issue.  According to the American Lung Association, second hand smoke is responsible for 41,000 deaths per year.

Nice try about the quiche, but my preferred food is fish.

RuleG Wrote:
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> fbb37 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > RuleG Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Great photo.
> > >
> > > dan Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > -----
> > > > I like it, still an ashtray era
> > >
> > > One thing I do not miss from Amtrak's earlier
> > days
> > > is the smoked-filled lounge cars.
> >
> > Sir, your quiche is ready in the politically
> > correct car.  
>
> Being a smoker or objecting to cigarette smoke has
> nothing to do with a person's politics.  It is a
> comfort and health issue.  According to the
> American Lung Association, second hand smoke is
> responsible for 41,000 deaths per year.
>
> Nice try about the quiche, but my preferred food
> is fish.
Relax.