WP 816 „Silver Scout“ coach – 3/48, AUT 471 (6/70), Wilson Engineering Cleburne TX (12/81) – automotive stays 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) – automotive was purchased within the curiosity of garnering curiosity in a 40th anniversary „CZ“ run which would have taken place throughout 1989. After these plans fell by way of the car was offered during 1987 to Via Rail as 522 – stored 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 last run of the CZ on March 21/22 1970. The car was found 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 labored out a deal.
That „deal“ turned out to be WP handing over their instance of the identical automotive „Silver Chalet“. Seeing the photographs posted introduced back loads of reminiscences from the summer of ’86. My dad and one other proprietor and i took all of the dome windows out, re-gasketed them, cleaned out all of the window channels and put the windows again in. We also changed a bunch of leaky/damaged side windows. For a few rank amateurs we did a pretty good job. In addition we refurbished the interior of the dome with new pedestal seats, cocktail tables, carpet and paint. Car suffered $130,000 injury 4/03 from a fireplace attributable to a smoldering cushion next to a baseboard heater, however will probably be restored. The car was turned over to the BN, because the „Q“ had turn into BN on 3/03/70. BN assigned number 804, which like almost all other assigned BN numbers, was never applied, and BN truly renumbered the automotive as 252(2), however retained the „Chalet“ title.
Western Pacific was a „So Cal Pool Plaster“ participant within the „California Trademark Pools Zephyr“ together with Burlington and the Rio Grande. Sold 12/10 to Jon Clark. WP 811 „Silver Dollar“ coach – 3/48, AUT 460 (6/70), Lakeside Custom Pools Ken Nichols/Anbel Corp, J Williams/Starlight Limited Inc San Antonio TX (1983) „Starlight Limited“ (800137) stripped California Pools & Landscape 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) – Texas Southern, Transcisco (1990), Washington Central WCRC 151 (1993), Pacific Starlight Dinner Train 151 „Moonglow“ (800175) (5/97). Operation shut down and automotive listed for sale late 2002. Sold to Ontario Northland 2/2004 as ONT 901 and moved east on rear of ‘Canadian’ 4/04 with whole dinner train 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. offered 11/04 – automobile remaining at ITAC. Marie „Spirit of Superior“.
The private rooms have been transformed to card-playing rooms, and automobile was painted as „Amtrak“ (this was mandated at the time by Amtrak for any PV vehicles moved by Amtrak – automobile was by no means owned by Amtrak). This automotive was then purchased, along with ten other passenger cars, two locomotives, and ten cabooses, by a group in San Luis Potosí MX. The automotive next handed to the Ferrocarril del Pacífico and the sleeping rooms have been reinstalled at the Empalme retailers. Red tape prevented this automotive and it’s train from making a first run on the LA-San Diego line until 2/78, and then the operation lasted only six months and the train set was saved 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 business failed, the Ch-P acquired the tools in partial cost of operating prices and continued to make use of it. The non-public vehicles had been moved the premises of Silver Creek International in that metropolis.