AAPRCO Napa Valley Limited 36th Annual Convention

Bobharbison · **Joined:** Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:42 pm **Posts:** 2953

This train left Seattle this morning. WIth 4 Amtrak units on the point and 28 private cars, it's an amazing consist. With all the hassles of mainline excursions these days, it's impressive to see a trip with a huge train, a multi day trip and lots of rare mileage.

Here's the AARPCO Press Release

AAPRCO
Napa Valley Limited
36th Annual Convention
Napa, California
October 1-3, 2013

In cooperation with Amtrak, BNSF, UP and the Napa Valley Railroad, AAPRCO is pleased to announce that our thirty-sixth annual convention will be held at Napa, California, on Tuesday, October 1, through Thursday, October 3, 2013.

Our convention special train, the Napa Valley Limited, will offer travel over some of the most scenic routes on the west coast that are not accessible by any regularly scheduled Amtrak train. The following itinerary represents the current plan, which is subject to approval by the host railroads.

The 32 cars will gather on Tuesday, September 24, in Seattle, WA. On Wednesday, September 25, your passengers can enjoy the delights of this magnificent city while our train is assembled. The Napa Valley Limited will depart early on Thursday, September 26, and travel over the spectacularly scenic Stampede Pass line. This is the former Northern Pacific route of the North Coast Limited to Yakima and Kennewick, WA.

At the suggestion of our most senior Associate Member, Watson C. Warriner Sr., we have explored the possibility of a detour to visit the facility where he worked to help end WW II. We sought approval to operate our train 31 miles into the Hanford Nuclear site to the historic B Reactor where an exclusive tour has been arranged for our passengers. This line is the former Hanford Railroad that was built in 1942 by the U.S. Government for the Manhattan Project. A passenger train has never operated on this line. As of August 24, we have not obtained approval to operate on this line, due to track conditions and the cost of inspection/repair to comply with FRA standards. However, we will offer an optional tour where passengers will detrain at Prosser WA in mid-afternoon and a bus will take them on tour of the B reactor site; they will rejoin the train at Richland, WA, where the train will spend the night.

On Friday, September 27, we will depart Kennewick WA and follow the Columbia River for 125 miles to Wishram, WA, cross the Columbia River, and roll south through the beautiful Deschutes River Canyon Gorge via the Oregon Trunk line to Bend, OR, where we will spend the second night.

On Saturday, September 28th, the Napa Valley Limited will depart Bend, OR, and make a short run to Chemult, OR, where passengers can detrain for an optional bus trip to Crater Lake National Park. A tour with lunch (on your own) at the Crater Lake Lodge is planned. When we pass through Chiloquin, OR, the train will pause briefly to detrain those passengers interested in visiting Train Mountain Railroad. The Napa Valley Limited will continue to Klamath Falls, OR, for full servicing and the third night layover. Passengers participating in the Crater Lake and Train Mountain Railroad tours will rejoin the train at Klamath Falls.

On Sunday, September 29, the train will depart Klamath Falls OR continue on the Inside Gateway route on BNSF Railway. We will pass through the Modoc National Forest, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Plumas National Forest and through the Sierra Nevada Mountains. After passing Lake Almanor, we will connect with the Union Pacific Railroad at the famous Keddie Wye and proceed through the spectacularly scenic Feather River Canyon to Oroville, CA, on the UP Canyon Subdivision, where we will spend the night.

On Monday, the 30th, we depart Oroville and continue south on the old Western Pacific (original California Zephyr) route to Sacramento, and then turn west on the Union Pacific Cal-P Line of the Martinez Subdivision to the Napa cutoff at Suisun-Fairfield. At Suisun-Fairfield, we will leave the UP main line and be escorted by the California Northern Railroad around the wye at Napa Junction and on into Napa, CA. We will tie down in the former Kaiser Steel Facility just south of Napa, where riders may transfer to our convention hotel, the Embassy Suites Napa Valley, or remain on the train during the three days of the convention.

Our traditional convention activities will be conducted between Tuesday, October 1, and Thursday, October 3, at Napa. These include two car parties, technical seminars, the car owners’ meeting, the associate members’ meeting, the annual meeting, vendor activities, the board of directors meeting and the annual banquet. Potential optional off-site activities include a lunch ride on the famed Napa Valley Wine Train, a hot air balloon ride over the Napa Valley, a bay cruise to San Francisco for the day (A shuttle will run to the Vallejo Ferry Terminal in the morning and meet the last boat back in the evening.), Napa Valley winery tours with wine tasting, a side trip to Sacramento to visit the California State Railroad Museum or the Crocker Art Museum, and a side trip to the Western Railway Museum in Rio Vista.

On Friday, October 4, following the conclusion of the convention, the Napa Valley Limited will retrace its’ steps to the Suisun-Fairfield interchange and then proceed west to Emeryville and San Jose, CA, and onward to San Luis Obispo, CA where it will spend the night.

On Saturday, October 5, the Napa Valley Limited will depart from San Luis Obispo at noon and follow the route of Amtrak's Coast Starlight, terminating at Los Angeles late on Saturday afternoon.

Private cars participating:

Tioga Pass
Scottish Thistle
Pacific Sands
Pacific Union
Northern Dreams
Northern Sky
Silver Lariat
Silver Rapids
Silver Solarium
Oliver Hazard Perry
Observatory
Birch Grove
Caritas
Promontory Point
Pony Express
Pacific Sunset
Burrard
Overland Trail
Bela Vista
Vista Canyon
Royal Street
Warrior Ridge
Swift Stream
Birken
Wisconsin
Greenwich Harbor
NYC 3 Portland
Chapel Hill
Suitsme
Virginia City
Port St Charles
Federal

Please make your plans to join us on this rare and spectacular scenic special train and attend the convention in beautiful Napa, CA.

Bob McLean
Bob Klein
2013 Convention Co-Chairman

Bobharbison · **Joined:** Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:42 pm **Posts:** 2953

When the Press Release was issued, 32 cars were anticipated. The actual consist has 28 cars, and there were several that weren't on the list that showed up and vice-versa.

1 Silver Solarium
2 City of Spokane
3 Chapel Hill
4 Birch Grove
5 Observatory
6 Oliver Hazard Perry
7 Wisconsin
8 Hollywood Beach
9 NYC 3 Portland
10 Montana
11 Northern Dreams
12 Northern Sky
13 Virginia City
14 Pacific Sunset
15 Tioga Pass
16 Pacific Sands
17 Scottish Thistle
18 Vista Canyon
19 Federal
20 Promontory Point
21 Suits Me
22 Berlin
23 Dearing
24 Puget Sound
25 Sierra Hotel
26 Caritas
27 Two Rivers
28 Burrard

Bobharbison · **Joined:** Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:42 pm **Posts:** 2953

YouTube video of the AARPCO Napa Valley Limited passing through Auburn, WA

This amazing luxury train consists of 28 Private Cars travelling from Seattle, Wa to Napa, Ca.

The train is going slowly at this point, so you get a nice look at each car. Please watch in HD for best quality.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtglCwgJ7sU

ParisHill · **Joined:** Fri Sep 13, 2013 4:42 pm **Posts:** 211

Very impressive!

Rainier Rails · **Posted:** Fri Sep 27, 2013 6:03 am

Amtrak Genesis units are:

P42DC #71
P42DC #133
P40DC #821
P42DC #99

History of the cars in the consist:

#800333 CB&Q California Zephyr dome lounge sleeper observation #377 "Silver Solarium" operated by California Zephyr Railcar Charters (Budd, 1948, Lot #9659-019, Pullman Plan #9511, 49 seats, 4DB).

#800362 GN International lounge observation #1196 "City of Spokane" (ex-"Port of Vancouver") owned by Larry Milsow (AC&F, 1950, Lot #3126, 29 seats).

#800043 C&O business car #3 "Chapel Hill" built in 1922 for E.F. Hutton. Acquired by C&O in 1937. Sold to DeWitt Chapple, Jr. in 1971. When owned by E.F. Hutton, it was named the "Hussar" (AC&F, 1922, Lot #9336, Pullman Plan #2081).

#800736 SP Sunset Limited sleeper #9020 "Birch Grove" operated by Cincinnati Railway Company. Name applied by Amtrak in 1980 when converted to HEP (Budd, 1950, Lot #9660-040, Pullman Plan #9522, 10RM-6DB).

#800290 CB&Q North Coast Limited dome diner lounge sleeper #558 "The Observatory" operated by Cincinnati Railway Company. Built as a dome coach by Budd, 1954, Lot #9646-141, 70 seats.

#800482 L&N buffet lounge sleeper "Oliver Hazard Perry" operated by Cincinnati Railway Company. Originally CN 5C-3DR sleeper #1104 "Mount Resplendent" built by P-S, 1954, Lot #6926, Plan #4187A. Rebuilt by VIA in 1982 to 3DB lounge as #1094 "Resplendent". Painted in L&N blue.

#800464 MILW business car "Wisconsin" based on the Lancaster & Chester. Homebuilt by the Milwaukee Road in 1948. Was for a time named the "Stanley E.G. Hillman".

#800129 SAL Silver Meteor "Sunroom" lounge sleeper #20 "Hollywood Beach" based on the Lancaster & Chester. One of three unique cars built by P-S, 1956, Lot #6970, Plan #4202, 5DB, originally 21 seats in Sunroom, now 24 seats. Renamed "Sun Ray" at the SAL-ACL merger in 1967.

#800384 NYC business car #3 "Portland" built for Harold Vanderbilt in 1928 by Pullman with 4DB. Owned by Lovett R. Smith III.

#800197 MILW business car "Montana". Homebuilt by the Milwaukee Road in 1947 as #162, one of six diner tap lounges (44 seats) for the Olympian Hiawatha. After the ten P-S "Super Domes" arrived in 1952, the 1947 tap lounges became redundant. Rebuilt to business car in 1955. Later repainted to UP Armour Yellow. Sold in 1985. Formerly named "Mount Rainier" and later "Prairie Rose", leased to the Friends of the 261 and Wisconsin Central, and painted WC colors. Now repainted back to MILW Maroon & Orange.

#800710 UP lounge sleeper "Northern Dreams" owned/operated by Dave Hoffman-Northern Sky Rail Charters. Originally named "Cedar City". One of ten cars built by P-S, 1956, Lot #6959, Plan #4199 as club lounge sleepers with 5DB. Seven rebuilt in 1965 to 11DB sleepers in the "Star"-series to Plan #6008. "Cedar City" became "Star Bay". After retired by Amtrak, purchased by Northern Rail Car and leased to Wisconsin & Southern. Painted in W&S colors.

#800588 UP dome lounge "Northern Sky" owned/operated by Dave Hoffman-Northern Sky Rail Charters. Built as UP #9003 by AC&F, 1955, Lot #4096. To Auto Train in 1972 as #903. Formerly owned by Northern Rail Car and leased to Wisconsin & Southern. Painted in W&S colors.

#800313 SP business car "Virginia City". Originally built as a lounge sleeper observation by Pullman, 1928, Lot #6125, Plan #3959A, as "Crystal Peak" with 3C-2DR. Operated on the Golden State Limited as "Golden Peak" 1938-1942. Sold to Lucius Beebe in 1954. Reconfigured to business car with 1C-2DR. Sold to Wade Pellizzer in 1984.

#800698 UP sleeper "Pacific Sunset" (2nd). Originally named "Pacific Range". One of fifty 10RM-6DB "Pacific"-series sleepers built by Budd in 1950, Lot #9660-039, Pullman Plan #9522. 43 of the 50 were sold to Amtrak in 12/1971, and UP #1434 "Pacific Range" became AMTK #2627. Meanwhile, UP #1443 "Pacific Sunset" (1st) became AMTK #2636, which was wrecked in 9/1975 and subsequently scrapped. #2609 "Pacific Emblem" (#1413) and #2629 "Pacific Ridge" (#1436) were also wrecked/scrapped during Amtrak's first decade. When Amtrak converted their remaining 40 "Pacific" sleepers to head end power, the #2627 "Pacific Range" became HEP #2883 "Pacific Sunset" (2nd) in 1979. Retired in 1995 and sold to private owner and refurbished at Lancaster & Chester. Painted in Wabash blue in letterboard, windowband, and nameplate with PULLMAN centered in the letterboard.

#800693 CN business car "Tioga Pass" operated by LA Rail. Homebuilt by CN in 1959 as #23. Later renumbered to #93. Sold in 1992.

#800355 UP sleeper "Pacific Sands". Another one of the fifty 10-6 sleepers built by Budd in 1950. UP #1437 to Amtrak #2630 to HEP #2881. Retired in 1995 and sold to Pullman Adventures. Painted in UP Armour Yellow in letterboard, windowband, and nameplate with PULLMAN centered in the letterboard.

#800636 CN business car "Scottish Thistle" owned by private individual. Homebuilt by CN at the same time as the "Tioga Pass" as #92. Also sold in 1992.

#800504 AT&SF Super Chief lounge sleeper observation "Vista Canyon" operated by Cruising by Rail. One of four "Vista"-series cars constructed by P-S, 1947, Lot #6757, Plan #4115. A fifth car was constructed by AC&F, and a sixth car was reconfigured from a prewar observation by AT&SF. Modified from round end to blunt end observation in 1956 (Plan #4115A) and reassigned to the San Francisco Chief. Sold in 1968.

#800713 DL&W business car #98 "Federal" owned by Dave Luca. One of two business cars constructed in 1911 by Pullman in Lot #3812 to Plan #2492, the other being the "National". The "Federal" was sold to DL&W in 1933, and the "National" was scrapped in 1953. The "National" was sold to Ringling Bros. at an unknown date and was later resold to Dave Luca. The car met Amtrak specifications in 2002.

#800724 CP business car "Promontory Point" operated by Cruising by Rail. Originally C&EI sleeper #902 "Loblolly Pine". One of 29 "Pine"-series sleepers (6S-6RM-4DB) constructed in 1953 by P-S in Lot #6909 to Plan #4183. Four were owned by C&EI, three by NC&StL, and the remaining 22 by L&N. To L&N as #652. Sold to William W. Kratville's Autoliner Corporation in 1974 and rebuilt to business car as ALC #101 (2SR-1BD-16 seats). Sold to MP as #2. To UP via merger as #109 "Little Rock". To #105 "Houston". Sold to Mike Margrave in 1997. Painted in prewar UP colors of Armour Yellow, Signal Red & Leaf Brown (instead of the more common Harbor Mist Gray).

#800988 BAR business car #100 "Suitsme". Originally built for Bangor & Aroostook President Percy Todd in 1928 by Pullman, the story goes that when asked about what he thought of the brand new car, Mr. Todd remarked "Suits me." The car was assigned to every subsequent president of the railroad until the bankruptcy in 2003. It was then sold to Pullman Railtours and underwent upgrades/refurbishment at the Hobo Railroad in New Hampshire. Work was completed in 2012.

#800255 UP sleeper "Berlin" owned by Kevin Moore, originally the "Placid Lake". One of ten "Placid"-series sleepers (11DB) constructed in 1956 by P-S in Lot #6958 to Plan #4198. All ten were sold to Amtrak in 1971, with UP #1504 "Placid Lake" becoming AMTK #2263 "Placid Lake". Retired in 1980. American Orient Express came to own four of the "Placid" sleepers, including the "Placid Lake" (as the "Berlin"). #2265 "Placid Scene" (UP #1506) became AOE "Star View" and #2269 "Placid Waters" (UP #1510) became AOE "Vienna". The fourth car, #2260 "Placid Bay" (UP #1501) was not used. The "Placid Lake"/"Berlin" was sold to Kevin Moore in 2008 with the canceling of the American Railway Explorer project.

#800029 CofG business car #29 "Dearing" owned by Dearing Railroad. Originally 12S-1DR sleeper "Thompson". One of 125 such sleepers constructed in 1925 by Pullman in Lot #4845 to Plan #3410. Ten of these sleepers were built for initial assignment to the GN Oriental Limited, including the "Thompson". The "Thompson" was sold to the CGW at the 12/31/48 divestiture. It was rebuilt to CGW business car #100 in 1953. To C&NW via merger in 1968 as #401. To #403 "Minnesota". To UP via merger in 1995. Sold in 1996 to North Carolina DOT as #400000 "Governor John 'Motey' Morehead". Sold in 2006, still in C&NW Yellow & Green. Now painted in CofG blue.

#800732 GN dome sleeper lounge "Puget Sound". One of sixteen dome coaches built for the 1955 reequipping of the Empire Builder in Budd Lot #9646-155. Ownership of the sixteen cars was split between GN, CB&Q, and SP&S. GN owned twelve (#1320-#1331), CB&Q owned three (#1333-#1335), and SP&S owned #1332. All sixteen went to Amtrak in 1971. The "Puget Sound" was GN #1323 (Amtrak #9463). Sold in 1993.

#800275 CB&Q California Zephyr dome buffet lounge observation #251 "Sierra Hotel". Originally dome buffet lounge dormitory "Silver Lounge" (Budd, 1948, Lot #9657-019, 50 seats and 18 bunks). Amtrak #9811. Sold in 1987. Modified in 1988 with an open platform.

#800045 SLSF business car "Caritas" owned by Iowa Pacific-San Luis & Rio Grande as SLRG #1. Originally SLSF 14RM-4DB sleeper #1450 "Pierre Laclede". Constructed in 1948 by P-S in Lot #6769 to Plan #4153 and assigned to the Texas Special. Sold to CN in 1965 as #2095 "Churchill Falls". Sold by VIA in 1983 to High Iron Travel and reconfigured to 4DB-1SR buffet lounge observation.

#800032 NYC buffet lounge sleeper "Two Rivers". Originally NYC 10RM-6DB sleeper #10223 "Scioto River", one of 97 such sleepers constructed in 1949 by P-S in Lot #6790 to Plan #4123. Sold to CN in 1965 as #2092 "Hay River". Sold by VIA in 1982. Reconfigured by Tom Whitted to 6DB-1RM buffet lounge as the "Palmetto State". Acquired by Roger Stabler in 2006 and renamed. Painted back into NYC colors.

#800591 CN business car "Burrard". Originally CN 7C buffet lounge observation #1098 constructed in 1954 by P-S in Lot #6935 to Plan #4190.

Sources:

1. Sleeper information from Tom Madden's Pullman Project CCR database at: http://pullmanproject.com/Database.htm

2. Amtrak information from "Amtrak by the Numbers" by David C. Warner and Elbert Simon. Ordering information here: http://on-track-on-line.com/pdfs/orderform-otol.pdf

3. Dome information from Phil Dohmen's DOME MAIN: http://www.trainweb.org/web_lurker/WebLurkersDOMEmain/

4. UP information from Don Strack's Utah Rails: http://utahrails.net/pass/pass-index.php

Rainier Rails · **Posted:** Sun Aug 03, 2014 6:12 am

Rainier Rails · **Posted:** Wed Oct 08, 2014 6:39 am

Rainier Rails wrote:

Finally uploaded some pictures I took of the cars as they arrived in Seattle over several days:

Photos of 22 cars total, 3 cars not uploaded as of yet (#800032 Two Rivers, #800591 Burrard, and #800197 Montana).

Two months later...

And last, but not least...

#800032 Two Rivers: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3995570

#800591 Burrard: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3995688

#800197 Montana: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3995838

AAPRCO Napa Valley Limited 36th Annual Convention

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