Scott,
Yes, I'm refering to the color photograph located in the Walther's flyer.
Their paragraph above mentions "the dome coach", while the photo is a former
CP "Skyline" Dome Coffee Shop Coach, in VIA Rail Canada colours.
When Canadian Pacific planned the new "Canadian" built in 1954, Burlington
prototypes obviously played a big influence. The Dome Sleeper Observations,
Dome Coach Coffee Shops, and Dining Car were almost Zephyr knock-offs.
Canadian Pacific, however, went with the excellent outside swing hangar
trucks, no skirts (actually Budd "natural" skirt, which gently rolls the
stainless steel under the car at the bottom rail, or floor of the car.) A
flat letter board, very similar to Union Pacific "Pacific" series Pullmans.
The former Burlington owned "Silver Garden" and "Silver Patio" are so nearly
identical on the inside to the CP Skyline Dome Coffee Shop Coaches, that VIA
Rail Canada purchased "Silver Patio" for future conversion to a VIA Car.
"Silver Garden" remains operating on the Branson Scenic Railway.
When the big, new Vista Dome "Denver Zephyr" was built in 1956, it featured
the Platic-Wood interiors found on the 1954 "Canadian". So CB&Q and CP Dome
trains shared alot. And today you can still cross Canada on VIA's Canadian,
which is still a treat to ride.
So if you do, or do not, spruce up the Walther's new Dome. It should be a
fun model to have around.
Hubert
Hubert
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