Hi,
I picked up a Kato 35-6011 ATSF “Santa Fe #50” business car, and am having difficulty finding out when the prototype began running the rails.
Your help would be appreciated!
Mobilman44
Alright, let’s see how complicated I can make this!
According to Passenger Train Equipment 1870-1975 of the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe, Vol. 2 Business and Special Purpose Cars by Frank M. Ellington & Joe W. Shine. 1975, Railcar Press I & II, Colfax, Iowa. 177 p.
This car was built by Budd in 1957 and originally had the car name “SANTA FE” with no number on the outside of the car. This particular car was a leighweight streamlined car with a fluted roof. It was renumbered to #50 in 1973 and kept the “Santa Fe”.
Now either to confuse you, or to avoid confusion from other answers you may hear…an earlier streamlined business car was named “SANTA FE”, built in 1949 by Pullman. Not a Budd car, it did NOT have the trademark Budd fluted roof, though it had fluted sides. This “Santa Fe” was renamed “Atchison” in 1957 when the Budd-built car was put into service. In 1973, #52 was added to the Atchison name.
And that’s not all folks! All with the vegamatic, you also get…
That’s not all the story on business car #50. There was a HEAVYWEIGHT non-streamlined business car #50 in the early years of the century that Santa Fe acquired with the purchase of the Kansas City, Mexico and Orient. That one probably wouldn’t be mistaken for the Kato model.
The book from which I got this information is the most physically intimidating book in my rail library. In a horizontal format (suitable for illustrating long passenger-type cars) the book measures 12" tall by a whopping 19 inch across CLOSED, and opens up to more than a yard wide.
The first bussiness car, #50, “Santa Fe”, was built by Pullman-Standard in 1949 and renamed “Atchison” in 1957 at the same time that Budd built the second two, “Topeka” and the second “Santa Fe”, no’s 31 and 34. The “Santa Fe” was the Eisenhower’s favorite car and was pulled on the tail end of Dwight Eisenhower’s funeral train in 1969.
Dick
Texas Chief
Thank you!
A question… When the Budd car was running in the late '50s, did it have the rear observation platform, or was that added later on?
The basis for my question is that my layout/collection is limited to 1959 - with nothing later on hand. If this car does not fit as is (w/o the #50) in my timeframe, it will be Ebayed this Christmas.
Thanks,
Mobilman44
I am pretty sure the observation platform was an original part of the car. However, I have put my big Business Car book back in the train room, where I touched up some patched plaster with oil-based paint this afternoon, closed the AC register, locked the door and sealed the air space under the door with duct tape to keep the fumes out of the house.
Can’t go look at the moment… Bummer for research, with so much material I can’t get to.
Of course it had the rear platform. All of the big three were ordered as business cars with rear platforms. Big three meaning Santa Fe (#50), Topeka (#51), and Atchison (#52). And any of the three are perfect for 1959.
Unfortunately the Kato business car is way wrong for any Santa Fe business car. The Kato car comes closest to the Atchison (1st Santa Fe). The model you have (#50) is of the 2nd Santa Fe.
Easiest to spot difference between the Kato model and the real #50 are the trucks. The 1957 Santa Fe (#50) and Topeka (#51) both ride on six wheel trucks. Atchison (1st Santa Fe) has four wheel trucks.
Compare these photos:
Kato Model (#50)
Atchison (#52)
Topeka (#51)
Although I was unable to find a photo (online) of the #50 Santa Fe in it’s original lettering, it’s identical to #51 Topeka.
I have the Kato HO Topeka. The only thing I’ve done to it so far was omit the “drumhead” and add in it’s spot a non operating dual red/white tail light. This minor change really helped add that Santa Fe look.
Because the Kato model is closest to the Atchison and since I run in 1957, I’ve been debating about re-decaling the Kato car. But with the roof tail light, and the lack of those distinctive large windows on the end I didn’t think it was worth it. Maybe down the road I’ll do a full rebuild into Atchison, but that would really require a lot of work.
Leighant is correct. The rear deck was there from the “Git-Go”. Beginning to end.
Dick
Texas Chief
Took some quick photos of my Kato Santa Fe business car (Topeka) to show the light I added:
THANK YOU !!!
You guys are great! I joined the forum in 2003, but that nasty thing called work got in my way. Now that I am retired and gotten active in the forum again, I realize what a terrific asset this is.
By the way, if any have questions of oil (petroleum or edible) refineries or terminals or the “bizzness”, please do not hesitate to ask!
Thank you,
Mobilman44
I got back in my train room and checked my Santa Fe book. Also found a site with lots of comparisons between Kato models and prototype passenger cars…
www.trainweb.org/fredatsf/protopass3.htm
Does the KATO model resemble “Atchison” more closely, or “Santa Fe” and “Topeka” more closely? Depends on which feature is more important.
KATO model has 4-wheel trucks, as did the prototype Pullman-built “Atchison”.
On the other hand, as Tevye said in Fiddler on the Roof, the KATO model is based on a Budd-built prototype, with Budd-type roof fluting, and Budd-type fluting on the observation platform, resembling “Santa Fe” and “topeka” in that respect.
So which detail is more important to you?
(For me, I am not going to buy a new Kato business I don’t have. Instead I will use an N-scale heavyweight observation I already have, no longer used on passenger trains in the mid-1950s era I model, and use it as a heavyweight business car which WAS used at that time.
Car 50 Atchison ran/runs the rail from 1950-current. The Atchison is now a support car for one of the Track/Geometry cars. Very sad demotion indeed.
Ch