Wednesday, August 12, 2015

NRM #2955 James J. Gilmore at ORHF Holiday Express 2009

I originally posted this on my old website on February 13, 2010.

…Continued from PNWC #6800 Red River.

IMG_0962 Northwest Rail Museum Daylight Observation Car #2955 James J. Gilmore in Portland, Oregon on December 4, 2009
NRM Observation #2955 James J. Gilmore on December 4, 2009

Southern Pacific streamlined Parlor/Lounge Observation Car #2955 was built by the Pullman-Standard Company in July 1941 for use on the Morning Daylight between Los Angeles & San Francisco.

IMG_0963 Northwest Rail Museum Daylight Observation Car #2955 James J. Gilmore in Portland, Oregon on December 4, 2009
NRM Observation #2955 James J. Gilmore on December 4, 2009

This was the same service #4449 was used in, and #4449 almost certainly pulled #2955 at some point in regular service.

IMG_1015 Northwest Rail Museum Daylight Observation Car #2955 James J. Gilmore at East Portland, Oregon on December 5, 2009
NRM Observation #2955 James J. Gilmore on December 5, 2009

Later in its career #2955 was used on the Shasta Daylight between Oakland and Portland.

IMG_1016 Northwest Rail Museum Daylight Observation Car #2955 James J. Gilmore at East Portland, Oregon on December 5, 2009
NRM Observation #2955 James J. Gilmore on December 5, 2009

It was converted to a 72-seat coach in 1960.

IMG_1081 Northwest Rail Museum Daylight Observation Car #2955 James J. Gilmore in Portland, Oregon on December 11, 2009
NRM Observation #2955 James J. Gilmore on December 11, 2009

Most of #2955's sister cars were rebuilt into full-dome cars by Southern Pacific's Sacramento Shops; #2955 is one of only two to remain as round-end cars.

IMG_1082 Northwest Rail Museum Daylight Observation Car #2955 James J. Gilmore in Portland, Oregon on December 11, 2009
NRM Observation #2955 James J. Gilmore on December 11, 2009

After Southern Pacific retired it, the car was acquired by the Stockton Terminal & Eastern Railroad and ended up being heavily vandalized.

IMG_1083 Northwest Rail Museum Daylight Observation Car #2955 James J. Gilmore in Portland, Oregon on December 11, 2009
NRM Observation #2955 James J. Gilmore on December 11, 2009

The car was acquired by the Northwest Rail Museum of Portland in 1988 and restored to its original Daylight colors.

IMG_1131 Northwest Rail Museum Daylight Observation Car #2955 James J. Gilmore at Oaks Park in Portland, Oregon on December 12, 2009
NRM Observation #2955 James J. Gilmore on December 12, 2009

It is named James J. Gilmore after a volunteer who worked on the car but passed away before having the opportunity to enjoy it in excursion service.

IMG_1132 Northwest Rail Museum Daylight Observation Car #2955 James J. Gilmore at Oaks Park in Portland, Oregon on December 12, 2009
NRM Observation #2955 James J. Gilmore on December 12, 2009

It is the only former Southern Pacific round-end observation car in remaining in service.

IMG_1146 Northwest Rail Museum Daylight Observation Car #2955 James J. Gilmore in Portland, Oregon on December 12, 2009
NRM Observation #2955 James J. Gilmore on December 12, 2009

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