For those who enjoy a steak and a Pullman, another opportunity has been lost... as the Pullman Grille at Main Street Station in Las Vegas has been closed.. The story as it was related to me from a manager on the property, was that the patronage did not cover the expense of keeping the restaurant open, and the room will be used for training seminars and the like, therefore rendering the age of sharing a steak and a Pullman over at Main Street Station...

For those of you who might not know of the history, the Main Street Station complex was a redevelopment in historic old town Las Vegas... Main Street Station ( from what I read in the property history ) was initially proposed to be redeveloped into Church Street Station ( from the existing Main Street Park Hotel ).. However due to litigation, Bob Snow ( founder of the then successful ( and now mostly .. if not totally gone Orlando Church Street Station ) ... created a similar version in Las Vegas, which ultimately only lasted less than a year, before being sold to Boyd Gaming, who renamed it all Main Street Station...

On or adjacent to the property is the Louisa Alcott heavyweight that was moved inside to the Pullman Grille as a smoking lounge, the Blackhawk ( a CBQ office car ) , Colorado Midland wooden car Cascade, and a UP dome / obs ( which like the Louisa Alcott ) I was told has not been used in years due to code violations...

So in the end, its another railroad related ( theme ) restaurant that has fallen on hard times...

Can someone offer a bit of more recent history on the Louisa Alcott ?... Termite7 ( T7 ) indicated this car was in Knoxville during the World's Fair as extra hotel / lodging space.. Who owned it then, who restored it, and I assume it was bought by Robert Snow, like the other cars, and made it to Vegas to be brought inside for the restaurant...

Thought some of you would find this of interest

The photographs below are recent

Thanks


Dean Levin

Dear Dean,

This is a former Pere Marquette Car and was in service as a 28 chair 1 drawing room parlor:

http://passcarphotos.info/Varnish/Pullman_3416.htm

http://www.pmhistsoc.org/pmpass.shtml

I'm surprised that the car retained its original name.

What can you say about the present integrity of the car? (i.e. were additional openings cut into the sides and ends, how was HVAC brought into the car, were additional openings made for plumbing). What about the condition of the body? What about the drawing room?

Its definitely a rare floor plan and one of a very small number of PM cars extant - however the answers to the aforementioned questions would guide what consideration should be given.

hey Thomas

thanks for the note...

I wasn't in the car when I was there last, but was in it last year, and my recollection was the car is very complete inside. A detailed effort was put forth on the interior to make it look right, down to the detailed recreation of the Pullman stenciling around the interior perimeter of the car. My recollection is a bit sketchy on the drawing room... I do remember going down a side isle on the car, so I suspect it was likely there...

The car is fully indoors now, and on the side where the photographs were taken, I believe a duct ran on the outside on the roof line ( painted black ) .. to furnish air to the car.

Furniture looked after market, set up like a genuine parlor and made for smoking and drinking...

I suspect it and the other un-used railroad attractions aren't going anywhere soon, unless the place was re-branded or sold... The dome obs car would be the most easy to remove as it sits outside of the hotel. The manager said it hasn't been used in some time, yet I did see a lamp on inside...

Interesting nonetheless


Dean

Eight years later...........

Any update on this rail equipment, especially the Blackhawk?

Why I'm asking:

https://railfan44.blogspot.com/2019/10/ ... -hawk.html

The Blackhawk and the CM car were purchased by a recycling company and moved to their property for use in private events and a Christmas open house. A news video on the Christmas event appeared to show the roof from the casino recycled for use over the cars, so they should still be out of the weather. Their Facebook page also appears to show an ex Heber Valley heavyweight coach at their location.

https://vitalvegas.com/vintage-train-cars-main-street-station-new-home/

The Louisa Alcott appears to remain inside, on a "self guided tour" of historic artifacts in the casino, as well as the UP dome/lounge outside.

Followed the link for more info. What a beautiful car that is. The interior photos makes me want to drink bourbon and smoke cigars and pretend I am a RR tycoon or a puffed up railfan who is living the dream. Either one. Regards, John.