Passenger Cars


Unlike the freight car roster, the ACR's passenger car fleet had a lot of variety. Over the years, the ACR bought all of its passenger car equipment used from many different roads. Here are some photos of this equipment.

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74.jpg (127523 bytes) Here is one of the ACR's home built steam generator cars, #74. Shown at Steelton in June of 1979. This was built in 1951 from a 40 ft wooden box #3182 - obviously only the underframe was used.
76stm.jpg (125620 bytes) This steam car (#76) was built from troop sleeper car USA 7357. The original Allied Full Cushion trucks have been replaced with smoother riding leaf spring trucks. At Steelton Dec. 30, 1979.
H3_1.jpg (128524 bytes) This is a steam generator built from an ex Northern Pacific 4-8-4 tender - one of 2 bought by the ACR in 1972. 3 others like it went to Auto Train. Shown here at Steelton on Nov. 8, 1972. This later became ACR 81 (next photo).
80_1.jpg (101021 bytes) Here is the ex NP H-3 freshly painted and just needing the ACR logo to be applied. At Steelton on June 19, 1973.
75.jpg (109257 bytes) Ex VIA/CN steam car at Steelton on June 14, 1994.
onr_stm.jpg (118480 bytes) Ex ONR steam generator - Steelton Aug 1, 1992.
via_stm.jpg (113662 bytes) On July 30, 1992 this ex VIA/CN steam car was at Steelton.
bag1.jpg (114059 bytes) This old baggage car #206 is shown on Sept. 16, 1973 at Steelton.
bag2.jpg (123622 bytes) This is an ex troop sleeper car converted to baggage service. These cars were very rough riding account their Allied Full Cushion trucks and were used to carry boats, dead moose, propane tanks, etc. This photo taken at Hawk Jct. on Feb. 15, 1977.
209.jpg (133144 bytes) This car may have been from the Denver & Salt Lake. Shown here at Steelton on June 13, 1974.
drgwbag1.jpg (114349 bytes) This car #1201 (one of 2) was acquired in 1973 from the Denver & Rio Grande Western RR. Shown here at Steelton on Oct. 6, 1973. The next photo shows the car after repainting.
drgwbag2.jpg (130781 bytes) Here is the above car after repainting to ACR colours. Nov. 16, 1974.
Seeing as how Broadway Ltd just released this car in HO in the original California Zephyr scheme, I thought I'd post this photo of it after it was bought by the ACR and renumbered 302 (it was moved from the 200 series when the GP38-2's were delivered). Shown here at Steelton on July 4, 1988.
coach4.jpg (116296 bytes) Another ex D&RGW car is this coach shown at Steelton on June 10, 1976. The crews sometimes referred to these cars as the "Jesse James" cars because of their age and looks.
coach2.jpg (124738 bytes) Another "Jesse James" coach at Steelton on Sept. 12, 1976. It has been partly repainted, but apparently they ran out of paint part way through the job!
coach1.jpg (122305 bytes) The mainstay of the passenger coach fleet for many years were these ex Canadian Pacific cars. Originally painted maroon, later they were painted silver for a fresh look and to help keep the cars cooler by reflecting sunlight. This coach is fresh out of the paint shop at Steelton on Nov. 16, 1974.
spcoach1.jpg (131180 bytes) The ACR bought 5 sets of these ex-Espee articulated coaches, but only 2 sets ever saw passenger service. Some of the cars were vandalized in Chicago and there was a hassle with Canada Customs regarding their import value. Finally, the main problem was that the ACR did not have a drop pit to make changing the wheels on the centre truck easier. They were very smooth riding cars however. This one is at Steelton on Sept. 22, 1974.
sp_art.jpg (123759 bytes) Here is one set of the ex SP articulated coaches in work train service. Two of the other sets were in passenger train service, and I think one or two sets were later sold to a tourist railroad in Oregon. This set shown at Steelton on July 4, 1988.
cafe1.jpg (119008 bytes) This is one of the old cafe cars used for years on the Agawa Canyon Tour Trains. Here it is stored for the winter season at Steelton on March 7, 1974.
atsfdin1.jpg (120937 bytes) This is an ex Santa Fe diner car the ACR bought from the Cadillac & Lake City RR in 1973. The C&LC named it "Emerald Lakes". Here it is at Steelton soon after arrival. Photo taken on Sept. 16, 1973.
updin1.jpg (117895 bytes) The other new/used diner was purchased from the Union Pacific in 1974. This photo is at Steelton on Sept. 22, 1974.
updin2.jpg (128460 bytes) Here is the above dining car freshly painted and ready for the next spring's tour trains. Photo taken at Steelton on Nov. 16, 1974.
mich.jpg (123102 bytes) Private car "Michipicoten" at Steelton on Aug. 1, 1992.
viabag.jpg (103920 bytes) Ex VIA baggage car at Steelton on July 2, 1983.
viacombine.jpg (121842 bytes) Ex VIA combine at Steelton Aug. 1, 1992.
viacoach.jpg (111571 bytes) Ex VIA coach at Steelton Aug. 1, 1992.
coach5.jpg (147613 bytes) Here is an example of the new ACR passenger colours as shown at Hawk Jct. on June 18, 1994.

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Last updated March 10, 2005 with minor corrections and additions to photo captions.

This Web Page and all photos on it copyright ©1964-2005 by Ted Ellis. All rights reserved.