Wednesday, August 5, 2015

4449 Heads East for Train Festival 2009: Super Dome #53

…Continued from Minnesota River.

IMG_7600 Milwaukee Road Super Dome #53 at Union Station in Portland, Oregon on July 1, 2009
Super Dome #53 in Portland, Oregon on July 1, 2009

Former Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Super Dome #53 was one of 10 such cars built by Pullman-Standard in 1952.

IMG_7602 Milwaukee Road Super Dome #53 at Union Station in Portland, Oregon on July 1, 2009
Super Dome #53 in Portland, Oregon on July 1, 2009

It was sold to Canadian National in 1964, becoming #2401, Athabasca, and was later transferred to VIA Rail, remaining in service in Canada until 1982 as #2701.

IMG_7701 Milwaukee Road Super Dome #53 at Union Station in Portland, Oregon on July 1, 2009
Super Dome #53 in Portland, Oregon on July 1, 2009

After going through a series of owners, it was purchased by the Chicago & North Western in 1985, numbered #421 and given the name Powder River.

IMG_7736 Milwaukee Road Super Dome #53 in Wishram, Washington on July 3, 2009
Super Dome #53 in Wishram, Washington on July 3, 2009

Union Pacific acquired the car when it absorbed the C&NW in 1995 and used it on at least one excursion tour before selling it to the North Carolina Department of Transportation in 1996.

IMG_7775 Milwaukee Road Super Dome #53 in Wishram, Washington on July 3, 2009
Super Dome #53 in Wishram, Washington on July 3, 2009

The Friends of the 261 purchased the car from NCDOT in 2005. At this point, nine of the Super Domes survived, but #53 was the only one operating in Milwaukee colors.

IMG_7780 Milwaukee Road Super Dome #53 in Wishram, Washington on July 3, 2009
Super Dome #53 in Wishram, Washington on July 3, 2009

Continue to Missouri-Kansas-Texas #403

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