Budd Dome Car Deliveries

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

I know that the use of Dome cars in the east was very restricted due to tight clearances. Does anyone know what routes were used to deliver the “Budd Domes” from the plant in Philadelphia to the mid-west & western roads? I would assume that “special train movements” were required but have never read anything on this subject.Anyone out there have any info on this?

2

Pure conjecture here, but I would assume PRR to Chicago (or St Louis for the 3 Budd built MP domes) and from there to the CB&Q (and subsequently NP,GN, DRGW,&WP) or the Santa Fe for their dome lounges. The Pennsy’s dome/clearance problems were all on the NECwhich could be avoided by going directly to the west main from the Budd plant in Philly.

3

Thanks for the reply JimRice. I didn’t realize that the clearance problems on the PRR were confined to just the NEC. If that’s the case, I find it odd that the PRR didn’t purchase any domes for it’s Chicago & St. Louis trains, possibly switching them in & out at Harrisburg. Of course, most of the Blue Ribbon Fleet’s run west of Harrisburg was in the dark so that may have been the deciding factor.

4

If I remember correctly the C&O/B&O had what they called limited clearance domes built. There problem was not the NEC but the height of tunnels in the east. Remember the east is littered with tunnels and even low bridges down to the deep south.

5

You might check out this site for info on domes. I was impressed by the amount of info they have on all aspects of domes and they have experts you can ask…

LC

http://community-2.webtv.net/web_lurker/WebLurkersDOMEmain/

6

I grew up less tha five milkes from the Budd Red Lion plant. Cars went via the Reading to the PRR. The clearance problems are in Baltimore and the tunnels into New York. Several years ago Amtrak ran Superliners into 30 th Street station in Philly via Pittsburgh, Altoona, Harrisburg line to Chicago so the clearances are not a problem on most of the PRR. The fact that doublestacks have come on the scene doesn’t hurt anything either. The only tunnel I know of on the Chicago main line is at Spruce Creek east of Altoona and have never heard of any problems with clearance there.