Weaver (in “O”) offers their “Pullman-Bradley” coaches in a number of railroads- some of which I am doubtful ever ran these cars. I know that the New Haven, Boston and Maine, Lehigh Valley*, Kansas City Southern*, Seaboard and Southern Pacific ran these cars (*a variation from the “normal” car), but did the Long Island, Gulf Mobile and Ohio, Canadian National or Great Northern ever run these cars? Or did the Southern Pacific ever run these in “Daylight” colors? Thanks for your help- Richard W.
Richard –
Bangor & Aroostook also had a few. Three of their "American Flyer"coach-buffet cars were sold to Long Island. Long Island also acquired 30 “American Flyer” coaches from Boston & Maine in 1958-59.
The SP cars originally were owned by St. Louis - Southwestern (Cotton Belt). They were transfered to SP in the '50s. Arthur Dubin, who had a feature in “More Classic Trains” on the “American Flyer” cars, says the SSW cars were painted in red and orange at some point.
Penn Central inherited the New Haven cars still in service in 1968, and a number were painted in PC colors.
I’ve seen no indication that GM&O, CN or GN ever had these cars.
The 10 SSW cars originally were Pullman green, started with black roof and changed to aluminum roof. In 1949-1950 changeover to modified “Daylight”, they became red/orange with aluminum roof and yellow handrails (a SSW feature not seen on SP cars and locomotives). They were sold to the SP in about 1958-59 and numbered somewhat randomly, with 8 remaining in CA. Two were transferred to T&NO in 1960 (TNO 463/464) and used on what was left of the Argonaut. To the best of my knowledge, once on the SP system some of the cars were repainted two-tone gray and some, red/silver. The TNO cars were one of each.
The Dora Doodlebug in Mt Dora FL uses an ex-SBD car as a station/ticket office.
Thanks fiverings! I tried to look up “More Classic Trains” on the Classic Trains site, but couldn’t find it or any reference to the Dubin article on the American Flyers. If you could tell me what issue that appeared in I’ll order a copy from Kalmbach. Thanks for your help. Incidentally, on my arrival in Oakland, California, in 1961, I was surprised to see one of the SP “American Flyers” (silver, red letterboard) being switched in the yard there.
Regards- Richard W.
toytrain13–
Steve Goen’s books on the SSW and TNO have color photos of the SSW cars.
Thanks drephpe for the additional information! I rode the Mt. Dora RR two years ago and was quite interested in the Seaboard coach. Unfortunately it had been bastardized to the extent that it was hardly recognizable as an Osgood-Bradley. I have also been unable to find any online photos of those cars on the Seaboard. I have been interested in these American Flyer cars ever since my first AF set in 1946. I happily rode one of these cars between New York and Hartford in about 1954. I greatly admire the Weaver cars, despite their being “skirtless.” Regards- Richard W.
I just noticed that you also have several other answers on the other posts that give additional info. It probably would help if the question were posted in one place.
In the late 1930’s the Canadian National purchased the so called Canadian Flyer cars they had flatter roofs than the Osgood/Bradley cars and the only coaches built were from I believe National Steel Car. I am doing this from memory so don’t hold me to it. Some of the cars operated in Via colors so they lasted a long time. I don’t know if any survive today in museums.If I wasn’t so lazy I would go look up their numbers but that will have to wait another day.
Richard –
The Dubin feature I referred to was in his hardcover book (“More Classic Trains”) published by Kalmbach in 1974. The same (or similar) material may have been published in Trains Magazine at an earlier date.