ATCHISON, TOPEKA & SANTA FE RAILWAY

Coach No. 580


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In the early 20th century, some passenger coaches were built as smoking cars, or "smokers," for pipe, cigarette, and cigar smokers. This one was built for the Santa Fe in 1910.

It is one of the last examples of composite construction, with wood sides on a steel frame. The wood sides were later covered with steel plating for better protection from the weather and to give it a more modern look. It still retains its original composite wood and steel truck frames. In 1938 it was rebuilt as a crew kitchen and diner for use in work train service, and last served out of Barstow, California.

After retirement it was acquired by Valley Steel & Supply of Tempe, who donated it to the Arizona Railway Museum in 1997.

Santa Fe coach No. 580 was built by the Pullman Company as part of a series of 10 men's smoking cars numbered 580 - 589, with wood siding on a steel underframe in lot 3777. It is 75 feet 7 inches in length over end sills.

When it went into maintenance of way service in 1938, six of its large windows were partially covered, a tin roof was added, and it was renumbered M.O.W. 198993. It last served in wreck train service out of Barstow, then was purchased unseen as scrap by Valley Steel and Supply of Tempe, Arizona.

When Valley Steel discovered the car was mostly wood, they donated it to the museum. It was delivered on June 28, 1997, still wearing its maintenance of way number.

The windows and roof have since been restored. The original car lighting was provided by 32-volt D.C. battery, and two ceiling-mounted gas lamps. The new circuits are 120-volt A.C. with period style fixtures. One toilet room has been rebuilt using period fixtures, and the other is being used as an electric/storage locker.

The car has been repainted back to its original Pullman green, and was renumbered again as No. 580. It is currently configured for display of train artifacts including a variety of coach seats from the late 1800s up to an Amtrak seat from the 1990s.


12/21/2021 - Interior view.  The car houses ARM's passenger car seating display .

3/2011 - Showing off the new paint.
3/2011 - Showing off the new paint.
3/2011 - Getting a new coat of green paint.
2011 - The car receives a 2nd coast of primer paint.
6/2006 - Car #580 received a coat of primer paint.
Car #580 as delivered to ARM.

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