Can anyone assist with the above query, It seems possible that we have a 59'0 wooden car with arched doors and canvas ceilings built as 'Omaha' (no number). She could be UP, CNW or Burlington anyone got any other clues please. Probably dates from the 1870's as it has canvas ceilings and was rebuilt in 1902.

Mike Pannell

For this answer I am using A Century of Pullman Cars volumes I (published 1988) & II (1990) by Ralph L. Barger.

In Volume I Mr. Barger lists five wooden sleeping cars named "Omaha." Volume two lists the Pullman operated cars by floor plan and provides renaming and retirement information.

1. A 14 Section (open style) built by C&NW in 1866. Assigned floor plan #20. Volume II says this car was built by CB&Q in 1866 at Auoroa; then sold in 8/82 to Chicago & Northwestern. [no length information]

2. A 14 Section - 1 Drawing Room built by Pullman in 1900 under Lot 2544. Assigned floor plan #1515B. Sold as a new car(?) If so, then it went to a railroad not contracting with Pullman for the operation of sleeping cars such as Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul.

3. A 12 Section - 1 Drawing Room built by Pullman 5/1/1902 under Lot 2849. Assigned floor plan #1581B. Operated by Pullman-Missouri Pacific Association until 7/07; then Pullman only; destroyed by Pullman 2/28.

4. A 10 Section (open style) came from Wagner Sleeping Car Co. and built in 1866. Wagner was purchased by Pullman as of Dec 30, 1899. Assigned floor plan #3003. Renamed to LINGAYEN in 6/02; dismantled 3/02 [54'-0" over corner posts.]

5. A 12 Section - 1 Drawing Room came from CRI&P Association and built 3/6/1882 (?). Assigned floor plan 527. Also assigned number #63. Acquired by Pullman 1872-73 and operated in association with CRI&P until 7/1896; dismantled 12/1900.

I don't know if this helps you.

Thanks Brian
This is a book i dont have yet, i guess we can discount the later builds but the 1, 4, and 5 are possibilities, especially 4 as this is the exact body length of 521 the one we have found, i take it dismantled could mean sold as we have come across this before. Hicks converted 521 in 1902 and sold it to C&S.

Thanks again
let me know if you reveal anymore

mike

During the late 1890s and early 1900s Pullman would dismantle older cars and salvage out the decorative panels from the upper births, etc. These would then be reused in new constructed cars.

No idea what may have happened to the balance (frames, etc) of these older cars.