| Ex-Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad Office Car 96 at Sherman Hill, Wyoming on an unknown day in October 1963, Kodachrome by unknown photographer, Chuck Zeiler collection. Number 96 was built in 1886 by Barney & Smith as Chicago Burlington & Northern B-99. As built it was an all-wood business car with open platforms at both ends. In 1895 it was renumbered to CB&N 45 and in 1902 it became CB&Q 90. In 1906 it was rebuilt by CB&Q's Aurora Shops becoming CB&Q 96, still an all-wood car but with one observation platform, the other end was occupied by the refrigerator. In 1915 electric lights replaced the Pintsch gas fixtures and in 1917 a steel underframe replaced the wood. Steel sheathing was applied in the 1920's over the original tongue-and-groove siding, cast steel trucks replaced the wood-beam ones, and a shower was added to the main restroom. In the 1930's ice air-conditioning, oil heat and Thermopane windows were added. In 1962 a minor kitchen fire sidelined the car, and it was sold to the Intermountain Chapter of the NRHS. It was used in excursion service until the advent of Amtrak in 1971, when it was moved to the Colorado Railroad Museum for display. |