I picked up two of the old Atlas observation cars recently. These cars did not have the open observation "porch" but rather an enclosed squared off end typical of the observation cars that the PRR used. Both cars were Pennsy and both had the name "Mountain View" on the side. These will replace the ConCor boat tail observation cars that I previously bought. I now need a similiar car done in the silver "Congressional" paint scheme of the Pennsy. So my question is whether one was ever made in that paint scheme or whether I will have to get another tuscan one and strip and paint it. Given how old these cars are I am inclined to think I will have to do the latter but I wanted to check here first.
I have never seen one in the Congo paint scheme. I have a few of them in various schemes from UP to one I repainted for SP.
The old ROWA blunt end observation car can be modified with a Budd roof. However, it only has corrugations below the window belt. I used etched metal sides to create a blunt end SP sleeping car. It is not an observation car though.
You got to remember, there was a time when all that was available in light weight N scale passenger cars were the Arnold Rapido shorty cars that were sort of generic with Pullman sides and Budd roofs, the three Atlas corrugated cars that were kind of Rock Island prototypes, the 3 Rowa cars that were semi fluted side C&O cars with the Budd Slumber Coach added in, the 3 Atlas smooth side cars that were a mix of Monon and PRR and the Con Cor smooth sides which were mirror images of Great Northern cars. Con Cor added a few Budd dome cars as time went on. This entire lot was painted into about every livery under the sun because folks were desperate and did not mind if they were not correct.
Russ, I do remember and I do like the cars. The goodthing in all of this is that I can stop looking for a silver obs. Now the question is what observation cars did Pennsy use on the end of the Congressional trains. Or did they use any at all?
I believe George Washington (#7128) and Alexandar Hamilton (#7129) served as the observation cars on the Congressionals - http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/prr7128.jpg http://alsprr.railfan.net/MyPics/AlxHamtn.jpg
Union Station sells sides and ends for those cars if you want to go that route - http://unionstationproducts.com/_9635_3.html -Mark
I did this to build an observation car for my Pacific Starlight Dinner Train. Two Kato business cars gives you everything you need. Craig
