ATCHISON, TOPEKA & SANTA FE RAILWAY
Coach No. 2870 |
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A coach car is the most common form of passenger car, having many rows of seats and usually a bathroom. The seats are more comfortable than airline seats, larger and more widely spaced. This car even has reclining "leg-rest" seats for added comfort, and separate bathrooms for men and women.
It was built in 1947 and served on the Santa Fe's first all-coach streamliner, the "El Capitan," running between Chicago and Los Angeles via Winslow, Flagstaff, and Kingman in northern Arizona. In 1971 it became part of the Amtrak fleet as No. 4484 and was retired in 1976. It was then sold to the Pullman Pizzeria in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
In 1981 it was purchased by Jim Bennet of Las Cruces, who donated it to the Arizona Railway Museum in 1990.
Although the car was free, Mr. Bennet loaned the considerable funds needed to move the car to a railhead. The move from Las Cruces to Phoenix was donated by the Santa Fe Railway, and the final move to the museum was donated by the Southern Pacific Railroad. The loan was finally paid off in 1995. The car arrived with no seats, but Bart Barton donated a complete set which was re-upholstered by John and Beulah Matthews.
This 44-seat coach was built by Pullman-Standard as one of 51 cars in lot 6734, plan 7503. The order was placed in August 1944 and the car was delivered in April 1947. Its length is 82 feet 10 inches over end sills. The car's large seating capacity makes it an ideal place for membership meetings. It has been displayed at Phoenix Union Station and was in service for two Operation Lifesaver Specials.
11/16/2021 - Interior view. |
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Interior of car showing reupholstered seats. | |
Photo of car at Armstrong Park, Chandler, AZ. | |
Floor plan. |