The former WP car was named Silver Palace and numbered 813 when the Budd Co. delivered it to Western Pacific in 1948. It remained in Zephyr service until the train was discontinued in 1970, then was sold to Auto-Train. It went through a succession of owners, including country singer Merle Haggard, and was leased to operators such as Branson Scenic, White River Scenic, and RailCruise America before WC bought the car in 1998. It received a complete refurbishing in 2002. The car is Amtrak compatible and will enter service in 2018.
The Algoma Central dome was one 15 of the dome blunt-end observation cars with a bar and 37-passenger lounge ordered by Union Pacific from American Car & Foundry in November 1952, and delivered in February, March, and April 1955. UP received the car in February 1955 and assigned it to the City of Los Angeles. It was sold to Auto-Train in 1972 and renumbered 901. In late 1981 it was sold to a dealer, then in 1982 was sold to the Green Bay & Western Railroad for use as a business car. It was initially to be named Cross Lake but the name was never applied and was changed to Trempealeau River. WC acquired the GB&W in 1993, and in 1997 the car was moved to Algoma Central and renamed Algoma Country for use on the Agawa Canyon tour train. The car will need an overhaul before it can be returned to service.
With the addition of the two cars, the Friends will own cars built by the three major dome car builders: American Car & Foundry, Budd Co., and Pullman Standard. The Friends has owned P-S built Milwaukee Road full-length dome No. 53 since 2005. Two railroads, the Burlington and Southern Pacific, constructed dome cars in their shops.
Plans are to repaint the two domes into Milwaukee Road orange-and-maroon passenger colors as time and funding permit.
The cars had been sitting on a siding in Sault Ste Marie, MICHIGAN……not Ontario. I’ve driven by them a number of times. Therefore, they are in transit from Michigan, not Canada. Anyway, I’m glad that they have been saved before weather and vandals destroyed them. CN sure messed up the Agawa Canyon trip experience.
What does grammar have to do with a story? If there are grammatical or spelling errors, it calls into question (at least to me) the accuracy of everything in the story.
You’re right Richard. I re-read it, and now I don’t believe they actually purchased domes.
Lately I have noticed a number of deserved criticisms of the grammar and spelling in Trains news items, but in this case I must defend Mr. Glischinski’s use of “has.” The “Friends of the 261” is an organization, and as such is singular, so the organization “has” acquired 2 domes. If it were just an informal bunch of “friends,” then indeed the plural “have” would be correct.
Incidentally, this is the preferred singular/plural use in this country. Across the “pond,” singular collective nouns (like committee, organization, etc.) take the plural form of the verb.
Friends of the 261 is one group. This is debatable and can go either way. Friends of Ralph is plural (of Ralph doesn’t count), but Friends of the 261 is one group.
Painting the fluted stainless steel of the ex-WP dome seems wrong to my eye, somehow. To each his own. I’ve not ever cared for the look of painted fluted cars in general, but I’m extremely thankful the car has been transferred to a loving entity that will put it back into service.
Friends….HAVE purchased. Not has. Plutal subject. Plural verb required.
Don`t paint BUDD stainless steel.
I agree that the fluted stainless steel car should not be repainted. Even if they paint it in MILW colors, it will still stand out as different in a line of orange cars.
Glad to see these former Wisconsin Central cars finding a worthwhile home. Too bad CN had no idea how popular these were on the Algoma Canyon train.
What does grammar have to do with a story? If there are grammatical or spelling errors, it calls into question (at least to me) the accuracy of everything in the story. There should be more careful proof-reading of the news items. Such errors give the Trains website an aura of non-professionalism. However, I generally try to ignore the errors I spot in the articles themselves. I comment on such matters only when someone else’s comments about such things deserve a response.
Of course, comments about the various aspects of railroading are far more interesting than a grade-school-level English lesson.
No. 261, has purchased
HAVE purchased. Not has. Plutal subject.
what is a “Plutal subject”?
A Plutal subject is an inhabitant of the mythical empire of Pluta! 🙂
Well I guess a group now has a few more cars for people to ride in the future.
what is a “Plutal subject”?
ARTHUR HOUSE
Friends….HAVE purchased. Not has. Plutal subject
What does the grammar have to do with the story?
My suggestion to TRAINS, remove the comment portion.
My suggestion for the “editors,” apply for a job or volunteer your services.