| Amtrak 9251, named SILVER PENTHOUSE, at Kansas City, Missouri on October 7, 1994, Kodachrome by Chuck Zeiler. Number 9251 was built by Budd on Job 9659-019, one of three 3 Bedroom, 1 Drawing Room, dome observation bar lounge cars (Plan 9511) for the CB&Q's contribution to the California Zephyr, ordered in October 1945, delivered in December 1948. It became AMTK 9251 and was retained for Amtrak President W. Graham Claytor for conversion to Amtrak Business car 10002(2) . That plan fell through as there were too many height restrictions and an Amfleet car became available. It was retired by Amtrak in October 1981. In 1993, the Burlington Northern Railroad purchased the car and placed it in storage. The car resurfaced in February, 1999 in the Chicago area, and from there it moved south in May to Topeka where it was significantly modified in order to turn it into a conference room. The interior has been completely gutted, the dome floor has been removed, reducing the iconic Vista-Dome to a glorified skylight, and the car's floor is now one level. The windows which used to provide viewing pleasure for the bedroom passengers are now blanked over, and the windows under the dome have been reconfigured to match the others in height. Two doors have been cut into the left side of the car, to facilitate handicapped access. The car was moved to BNSF's corporate headquarters at Fort Worth, and renamed PRAIRIE VIEW. |