Greetings all,
I was wondering if anybody has an exact consist of the Kansas City Chief. All I have is the following list:
Baggage
6-6-4 sleeper
Diner
Coaches
I have no quantities of each or car names. I picked up the following SF cars, at a great price, at a train show - a KATO baggage car, a coach, a dome, and a 10-6. I already have two SF 6-6-4’s. If I pick up a diner and an E8, rather than the F7’s, am I on the “right track” for a KC Chief?
If not, no big loss I can repaint or redecal the cars for various Rock Island or CB & Q cars as I originally intended. The SF dome will be repainted for a Wabash Dome. It was the main car I wanted anyway.
Thanks,
Bob Lipka
The Kansas City Chief was always an orphan of the Santa Fe.
The Santa Fe introduced an overnight streamlined pair of trains between Chicago and Kansas City naming the two train sets the KANSAS CITY CHIEFS. The new KANSAS CITY CHIEFS began service April 2, 1950. The new streamlined trains were not assigned any particular diesel passenger units but simply whatever units were available. Initially each of the consists ran with a single heavyweight Centennial Club car. These cars were rebuilt by Topeka shops for the Kansas Centennial and assigned one to each of the KANSAS CITY CHIEF trains. The interior of these cars contained Crew Dormitory space with a small Kitchen and Club Lounge area decorated in an 1850’s style. These two Centennial Club cars were soon replaced by lightweight stainless steel Lounge cars. The consists of the KANSAS CITY CHIEFS varied from night to night but it is known that 44 Revenue seat Leg Rest Coaches were assigned for passengers traveling by coach. For those passengers traveling first class in sleeping cars the KANSAS CITY CHIEFS operated initially with a lightweight streamlined prewar 17 Roomette Sleeping Car that was handed down from the CHIEF. A lightweight streamlined prewar 10 Roomette 5 Double Bedroom “CASCADE” series sleeping car either CASCADE SHOALS or CASCADE MILLS the only two of these cars owned by the Santa Fe. A postwar 24 Duplex Roomette Sleeping car of the “INDIAN” series car was next in each train. This was followed by a pair of lightweight streamlined prewar 6 Section 6 Roomette 4 Double Bedroom “VALLEY” series sleeping cars, one of these was a through car between Chicago and Tulsa in each direction.
Al - in - Stockton
Al,
Thank you for your reply. Since it was an overnighter would the following be reasonable for the late 50’s early 60’s?
Motive power E8 or F7a-F7b Would this be enough power?
RPO ?
3444 Baggage
3077 Coach
Diner
10-6 Pine Mesa
6-6-4 Paradise Valley
6-6-4 Sweetwater Valley
I guess everyone can figure out which Kato cars I have and that I still lack the motive power and a Santa Fe lightweight diner. I do have the SF heavyweight diner, the heavyweight baggage, and heavyweight coach from Rivarossi in pullman green.
I didn’t think the Santa Fe owned any duplex sleepers. Were they like the Kato duplex sleepers?
Side note…I started out in the hobby looking for a Rock Island Rocket or two and a small RI freight. Now I seem to be able to do them, the Wabash Cannonball/Banner Blue, a CB&Q, and SF passenger trains. This in addition to a RI and a SF freight. Tell me, do others have this expansion addiction / obsession as my wife calls it? At least I still have a mostly 1950’s - 60’s midwest focus.
Thanks again,
Bob
I would be surprised if a Pine would be in the consist, but I have learned to never say never. I have a great Santa Fe passenger train consist resource sitting somwhere around here, so as soon as I find it, I will post additional info.
Smitty,
Thank you for replying, I look forward to your update when you find your consist list.
Bob