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From "The Zephyr" September - October 1948:
Modernized Suburban Coaches
A progressive program for complete modernization of
passenger cars in Burlington suburban service in the Chicago area was announced
recently when two experimental type cars were placed in regular service.
Under the program, which will start this year, and proceed
at the rate of about three cars per month, sixty all-steel suburban cars and
twenty-five main line coaches will be rebuilt and modernized for suburban
service. Improvements will include a
modified form of air conditioning, new seats or upholstery, improved lighting,
and complete interior redecorating. All
of the modernized cars will have enclosed vestibules and exteriors will be
repainted in an attractive color scheme.
The Burlington is also contemplating the purchase or
construction of 25 to 30 completely new suburban coaches of novel design for
replacement of cars which will be retired.
A side story to this, is that when they were choosing the exterior paint scheme, they painted up cars in five different schemes, and had the commuters vote on them. From talks with George Speir and others I believe that there was a shadow-striped silver, a two-toned red, a blue and white, and the forest green and tan, with the silver roof (the scheme that was chosen.) I don't know the fifth scheme. You can see three of these schemes on page 92 of Geoffrey Doughty's book Burlington Route - Through Passenger Service by Morning Sun Books.
Of course, the 25 to 30 "unique design" cars were the revolutionary Bi-Level commuter coaches, the first 30 which were delivered in late 1950.
Rich G.
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