LOUNGES

Except for the 9015 ex GM car, all of UP's observations were built as "square-end" vs the "round-end" that was the norm on all other dome-observation cars. The only other "square-ends" were 4 on CBQ built later than the balance of their fleet for Denver & Kansas City "Zephyr" service. All 15 of the dome-blunt-end observation cars with bar and 37-passenger lounge were ordered by the Union Pacific from American Car & Foundry (St. Charles, MO) in November of 1952, built in Lot 4096, and delivered in February, March, and April of 1955. Union Pacific paid ACF $250,000 for each car.          Five of the cars, 9005-9009, were initially assigned to the "City of Portland," jointly operated by the Union Pacific and Chicago & North Western until October 30, 1955, and by the Union Pacific and Milwaukee Road from October 30, 1955 until April 30, 1971.          All 15 cars in the series were remodeled to straight dome-lounge cars just over a year after being delivered. In the process, total lounge capacity was reduced from 37 to 34. All cars lost their Mars and back up lights and marker lights. Observation-end doors were changed and the rearmost of the two-door sets was eliminated entirely. Observation rear-facing windows were blanked out, the colorful neon "City of Portland" tailsigns were removed, diaphragms were added, and all 15 of the dome-observation cars in the 9000-9014 series were consigned to mid-train service. (above courtesy John Kuehl)

UP 9000 - for "City of Los Angeles" - 2/55, Auto Train 900 (5/72), Bob Snow/Church Street Station (12/81) "stuffed & mounted" Orlando FL as "Rosie 'O Grady's" ROG 300, moved to Las Vegas NV during 1985 for use at Mr Snow's Main Street (Station) Casino - car re-named "Orlando Dawn". Car and complex sold 1987 to Boyd Gaming Corp - car retains "Church Street Station" title and name and number although the casino is now called "The Main Street Casino."

UP 9001 - for "City of Los Angeles" - 2/55, Auto Train 901 (5/72), Merle Ervin Kanakee IL (12/81), 1/82 to Itel Corp/Green Bay & Western 901 "Cross Lake"(not applied) & "Trempealeau River", 1983 to Fox Valley Western Ry (division of Wisconsin Central), car retained red/white colors and number with the later addition of "Wisconsin Central" titles. Car rebuilt 1997 as Algoma Central (Div of WC) Saul Ste. Marie painted silver and named "Algoma Country".

UP 9002 - for "City of Los Angeles" - 3/55, Auto Train 902 (5/72), Delaware Otsego as NYS&W 902 (12/81) - rebuilt 1982-84 as a theater car complete with full end glass window - renumbered 509 - commonly known as the "Popemobile" due to the windows on the car. Became a CSX asset in 1999 (thru CSX ownership of DO).

UP 9003 - for "City of Los Angeles" - 3/55, Auto Train 903 (5/72), 12/81 to American Law Center San Jose CA planned for use between offices in CA & FL. Car was never paid for and was forefeited to Dixie Rail Corp Savannah GA during 3/82, sold to the Promentory Chapter NRHS (7/84) and moved to storage on the Salt Lake Garfield & Western Ry Salt Lake City UT, unchanged the car was sold 1987 to Bryan Reese Fullerton CA as "Bryce Canyon" (not applied), Northern Rail Car NRCX 903 (1988) and moved to Cudahy WI stored until re-sold 1990 to Transcisco Tours for planned use on "Sierra 49er". Car was repossessed after bankruptcy and returned 8/91 to NRC. Sold 8/92 to David Hoffman/Northern Sky Inc Black Falls WI - rebuilt and repainted to match Wisconsin Southern red/silver colors as "Northern Sky" (800588). After Wisconsin Southern dropped passenger service, letterboards were changed from 'Wisconsin Southern' to 'Northern Sky Charters'.

UP 9004 - for "City of Los Angeles" - 3/55, retained by UP, named "Harriman" (1987), renamed "Sun Valley" (1989), changed back to "Harriman" (1990).

UP 9005 - for "City of Portland" - 3/55, Auto Train 904 (5/72) (not applied). Buyer defaulted at Auto Train auction and car later sold to Passenger Car Associates. Sold to Al Nippert/Great America Tours on Rail "GATOR Route" (1983) (800621) for planned excursion service, became UPP 9005 (3/88), named "Harriman" (1989), renamed "Walter Dean" (1990).

UP 9006 - for "City of Portland" - 3/55, Auto Train 905 (2/69), Ken Nichols/Anbel ANBX 2041 (12/81), David Rohr/Golden Spike Rail Tours Inc (1983) rebullt 1984 by Lon Orlenko as the "Native Son" and repainted as UPRR (800212), leased to Northwestern Pacific RR/North Coast Rail Authority (1997-1998), sold to Rail Ventures and rebuilt (1999-2000) at Northern Railcar in Milwaukee as a sleeper-dome. The interior is entirely new - an open platform at the rear - two large bedrooms in the former rear lounge space - two smaller bedrooms and a crew room under the dome, and a large kitchen in the forward end of the car. All lounge and dining space is in the dome. Renamed "Bella Vista" and painted to match their non-dome "Yerba Buena". John Kirkwood/Rail Ventures is a director of AOE but the Native Son/Bella Vista is a completely separate Rail Ventures joint project with Dave Rohr. The car may see some limited use on AOE trains, but the primary purpose is for public charter on Amtrak trains. First recorded trip for the new "Bella Vista" occured 8/2001 on Montana Rockies Daylight (also a John Kirkwood venture).

UP 9007 - for "City of Portland" - 3/55, Auto Train 906 (5/72), Auto Train 542 dome nightclub rebuild, Al Nippert/GATOR Route (12/81), White Auto Parts Kissimee FL (1982), re-sold 1987 to Northern Rail Car Cudahy WI - rebuilt as Wisconsin Southern Railroad (WSOR) 9007 re-painted WSOR red/silver colors and named "Northern View" (800148), adding an open platform to the lounge end of the car to create the classic Business Car look. The car contains a large kitchen, a dining room under the dome area seating 12 people, a rear lounge, open platform, and luxurious seating in the dome itself. The car's furniture and woodwork are all Honduran Mahogany. Sold 7/01 to John Kirkwood/Rail Ventures. Car remained at WSOR to meet pre-existing charters, then re-named "Glacier Park" and moved to lease on Montana Rockies Rail Tours and other charters. Leased to American Orient Express in 2003. Sold to Creative Charters (Patrick Henry) of Houston TX 10/04 and renamed "Warren R Henry".

UP 9008 - for "City of Portland" - 4/55, Auto Train 907 (5/72) (not applied) - never used - 12/81 to DJJ - scrapped at Sanford FL 1982-84.

UP 9009 - for "City of Portland" - 4/55, Auto Train 908 (5/72), 12/81 to American Law Center San Jose CA planned for use between offices in CA & FL. Car was never paid for and was forfeIted to Dixie Rail Corp Savannah GA during 3/82, Don Lee Missilon OH (10/84), Northern Railcar/Scenic Rail Dining "Rivers Edge" (1987), Trancisco Tours/Sierra 49er "Zephyr Cove" (800556) (1991), Kalamazoo Lake Shore & Chicago/Wine Country Dinner Train (lease) (8/91), UPP 9009 (5/93) "City of San Francisco". This car is the only one of the lounges that UP operates in the business fleet that retains the rear windows and lighting for end of train use.

UP 9010 - for "City of St Louis" - 4/55 (used briefly on "Challenger" first), Auto Train 909 (5/72) (not applied) - never used. Buyer defaulted at Auto Train auction and car later sold to Passenger Car Associates. Sold to Al Nippert/Great America Tours on Rail "GATOR Route" (1983) for planned excursion service. Car stored, and later barged (with other equipment) into Gulf of Mexico and dumped to create a fish reef.

UP 9011 - for "City of St Louis" - 4/55 (used briefly on "Challenger" first), Auto Train 910 (5/72), Auto Train 543 dome nightclub rebuild, Ken Nichols/Anbel ANBX 2050 "Cafe Bar Ingles", Mark Dees Santa Paula CA (1992), returned by estate to Anbel, Joe Goodel Buffalo NY (1993), to Henry Hillman/Oregon Rail Corp/American Orient Express/Montana Rockies Rail Tours (8/98) - car stored. As of 4/2001, car was observed with missing brake equipment and still not worked on - moved to Chehalis WA 9/2001. Sold 6/05 and moved to Wisconsin Southern

UP 9012 - for "City of St Louis" - 4/55 (used briefly on "Challenger" first), Auto Train 911 (5/72) (not applied) - never used - sold to DJJ - scrapped at Sanford FL 1982-84.

UP 9013 - for "City of St Louis" - 4/55 (used briefly on "Challenger" first), Auto Train 912 (5/72) - sold to DJJ - scrapped at Sanford FL 1982-84.

UP 9014 - for "City of St Louis" - 4/55 (used briefly on "Challenger" first), Auto Train 913 (2/69) - wrecked during 1975 - sold to Ted Bywater/Bywater Co Orlando FL - purchased sight-unseen at auction in the hopes of moving it to a siding behind his office. Upon inspection, the car turned out to be in very poor shape so he sold it. Apparently the person who purchased it stripped what he wanted out of the car and left a terrible mess. Since Mr Bywater did not have any paperwork to prove he sold it, the auction company wanted the mess cleaned up and the car moved and was holding him responsible. He then sold it to someone out of Sarasota who scapped the car.

OBSERVATION LOUNGE

UP 9015 "Moon Glow" - Seattle/Portland pool service 1947, ex Train of Tommorow

SLEEPER

NO NUMBER - "Dream Cloud" - Seattle/Portland pool service 1947, ex Train of Tommorow

Please e-mail us any additional info or corrections. additional info: Roy Wullich, PTJ, Gary844, Jack Deasy, Robert T Clark, John Henderson (7015 in AK)