Santa Fe Business Car #36

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

While on vacation recently I saw a old Santa Fe observation car sitting in overgrowth and on what appeared to be abandoned rail. The crossing to the siding appeared to have been cut.

It appeared to be a stainless steel observation car with Santa Fe on the side and it was car #36. The location was on US Highway 160 east of Southfork, CO.

I googled the car number and did not come up with much. What is the history of this car and does anyone know who owns it?

Thanks, Chris

2

Following are some links which provide some information regarding Santa Fe’s Business Cars:

http://atsfrr.net/resources/hitchcock/pass4.htm

http://atsfrr.net/resources/hitchcock/passstai.htm

http://www.atsfrr.com/resources/FrankEllington/General%20Officer%20Business%20Car.htm

http://donsdepot.donrossgroup.net/dr162.htm

http://www.atsfry.com/1950s/caras554.htm

Hope the above links provide some clues!

3

So does that mean it was a Pullman manufactered in 1924 and was assigned as a business train car to the Sante Fe Colorado division?

4

My take on this info is #36 was manufactured by Pullman in 1924. We know that in 1954 the car was assigned to a J.P. Cowley who was an officer of Santa Fe. We don’t know anything of the car’s later use by Santa Fe or when/where Santa Fe finally disposed of the car. We also don’t know who bought it or how/when it finally arrived at its current location in Colorado.