See the Autumn Colors of the New River Gorge via the Autumn Colors Express this fall on October 22nd, 23rd, 24th, and 25th 2020.
The Oliver Hazard Perry will operate as a lounge class car on the 2021 Autumn Colors Express
Car History
Built in 1954 by P-S in Lot #6926 to Plan #4187A as CN 5C-3DR sleeper #1104 MOUNT RESPLENDENT, 1 of 6 such cars (#1100-#1105) built in that Lot, which was ordered in October 1952; cars were delivered in June 1954. CN later reconfigured these 6 cars to 3DB sleeper buffet lounges #1090-#1095; #1104 as #1094 RESPLENDENT. Sold by VIA in 1993 to private ownership
Built in Jan 1955 by American Car and Foundry for the Union Pacific Railroad as car 7007 initially assigned to the Union Pacific City of Portland service, the Southern Hospitality has a long and storied history, changing hands multiple times before ending up in the care of the Saint Louis Union Station in Saint Louis, MO.
This car will add even more luxury to the Autumn Colors Express, whether you ride in the dome or the lower level lounge.
Car History of the Southern Hospitality
Built as UP 7007, the car was sold to Auto Train and numbered as its 705 in June 1972.
After its tenure on Auto Train, it was sold into private ownership, eventually being renamed and re-homed in St. Louis. Railexco is proud to present this beautiful car as a part of the 2021 Dome Class.
This former Seaboard Airline Lounge Class car features a unique domed ceiling, with plenty of room inside to stretch out in its spacious seating area. Walk down the hall from the lounge and you’ll discover three spacious Private Suites.
A 1954 Budd short dome, this dome car ran on Northern Pacific’s famed North Coast Limited before Amtrak. Now owned by Paxrail, this car features Dome Class and Lounge Class seating.
Click below to see seat numbers.
Built in 1949 for the Pennsylvania Railroad for use on the famous Broadway Limited train between New York and Chicago, this beautiful observation car is one of our Lounge Class cars, on the Autumn Colors Express.
The Frank Thompson will not operate with reserved seating.
Built in 1953 by the St. Louis Car Company, the Wisconsin Valley, formerly a U.S. Army Medic car, offers you a smooth ride while enjoying a quiet lounge environment. With comfortable lounge chairs and table seating for 20, this is an exciting addition to the 2021 Lounge Class.
Click below to see seat numbers.
Silver Palace was built for the Western Pacific Railroad in 1948 as a 46 seat coach, with an additional 24 seats in the dome, for the famed California Zephyr. The car plied the scenic route between Chicago and Oakland, CA, for over two decades, until the train was discontinued in March 1970. As WP had no need for the car after the train was eliminated, the car migrated East and joined the fleet of the new, private Auto-Train Corporation, operating initially between northern Virginia and Florida and later, between Louisville, KY, and Florida.
After the demise of the original Auto-Train, the car was sold into private ownership and passed through several owners. The car was extensive remodeled as a lounge car for country western singer Merle Haggard but was then sold once again and its final assignment was on the Algoma Central Railway in Canada, toting passenger to and from the scenic Agawa Canyon north of Sault Ste. Marie. The car was acquired by the Friends in December 2017 and it has been under restoration since its arrival at Minneapolis Junction. Silver Palace will continue its role as a first class lounge car with the dome seat sold exclusively as “Dome Class”.
Click below to see seat numbers.
Built in 1952 for the Pennsylvania Railroad’s Congressional between New York and Washington as the parlor car Henry Hudson. It was acquired by Amtrak in 1971 and converted to a buffet/table car in 1986. After being sold by Amtrak, the car ran in charter service through Mid-America Railcar, wearing the names Henry Hudson and Keystone Grill. Paxrail acquired the car in October 2013 and renamed it Warriors Rest. Purchased in 2017 by the Friends of the 261 the car is now configured as a full length lounge.
Click below to see seat numbers.
Owned by Webb Rail LLC, this beautifully restored Budd short dome that made its excursion debut on the 2019 Autumn Colors Express. Featuring completely redone dome seating, a full lounge downstairs, and fresh Northern Pacific paint on the exterior, this is one of the true crown jewels of the ACE consist!
Click below to see seat numbers.
