Milwaukee Road Super Dome #53

steaminfo · **Posted:** Tue May 16, 2006 5:48 am

The 261 crew rolled Milwaukee Road Superdome #53 out of the shop today after sheet metal work and painting. Over 2000 hours went into metal work, prep and painting. The scope of work included removing most of the bottom 2 feet of metal and inspecting the cars structure. Welding in new side sheets, new carpet, upgrading the A/C and electrical systems are just a few of the items addressed during the winter. The car was painted with a new high tech paint from Sherwin Williams "Genesis". The paint is about $250.00 per gal. and is suppose to be graffiti resistant.

Don C. · **Posted:** Tue May 16, 2006 7:28 am

Super Dome 53 and office car "Montana" will be moving on Train 8 on Thursday, May 18, to Chicago. The dome will be part of a special train for the Restaurant Show which is taking place in Chicago this weekend. The two cars are scheduled to return to Minneapolis on Monday, May 22, on the rear of the "Empire Builder."

In June, Dome 53 will be used as a premium class car (along with Skytop "Cedar Rapids") on the #261's trips on the former Milwaukee Road between Minneapolis and Milwaukee and the "day" trips out of Milwaukee. Tickets are still available for these trips and may be ordered on-line at: www.261.com

Supporting these trips not only keeps the locomotive alive but also allows for purchase, restoration (such as this very job), maintenance and operation of some very historical and unique passenger rolling stock.

Thanks to all of you who ride with us and allow us to present a car such as this Super Dome.

Don C.

Fitz · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 7:46 pm **Posts:** 188

That's pretty, guys. Sure looks a lot better now. 261 is going to have a great matching consist to pull. You guys do great work.

Don C. · **Posted:** Sat May 20, 2006 8:42 am

Fitz,
Dome 53 will make her debut in revenue service in the new paint this afternoon on a special out of Chicago for the restaurant trade show folks. It will depart from Union Station at 430pm and head out the old GM&O to Joliet. It will arrive in Joliet at 530pm and depart at 630pm for the return to Union Station. Six cars will comprise the consist with an Amtrak unit at each end.

Don C.

wsflco · **Posted:** Sat May 20, 2006 4:27 pm

Even though the Super Domes never wore that exact paint scheme, it sure looks sporty!
JCA

Joshua K. Blay · **Posted:** Sat May 20, 2006 5:20 pm

Some interior shots were posted on railpictures.net, looks just as nice on the inside!

Joshua

Mark D. · **Posted:** Mon May 22, 2006 10:10 am

wsflco wrote:

Even though the Super Domes never wore that exact paint scheme, it sure looks sporty!
JCA

I wondered how long it would take someone to notice that.
There is a reason it's painted in the older Milw. colors, though.
It's close to the right scheme, but it also matches what is used on all the other equipment it has to run with.
Mark D.

wsflco · **Posted:** Mon May 22, 2006 12:31 pm

Mark D. wrote:

wsflco wrote:

Even though the Super Domes never wore that exact paint scheme, it sure looks sporty!
JCA

I wondered how long it would take someone to notice that.
There is a reason it's painted in the older Milw. colors, though.
It's close to the right scheme, but it also matches what is used on all the other equipment it has to run with.
Mark D.

Believe me we're just happy to see it in orange and maroon.
Chris