Kato Union Pacific Passenger Train Advance

[Nato]

   Bob,Then you might be interested in the book "The Train Of Tomorrow" by Ric Morgan,published by Indiana University Press $ 49.95 . Probably the most complete book on this train. Did you want it painted in the Blue- Green and silver original scheme or later as a Union Pacific owned train? I beliecve The Whistle Stop in Pasedina commissioned a Brass HO models a few years back. Incidentaily the train's dome observation car" Moon Glow" was discovered in a Pocatello ,Idaho scrap yard where it had been used as an office and it is now part of the collection at the Utah State Railroad Museum at the Ogden Union Depot, and is now currently off property being restored in UP colors, but missing its distinctive round end which was squared off in the 1960's so car could run mid train like the other re configured dome lounge cars.                                                                                                                                       I started to model this train usuing the old Rowa /Con Cor dome coach car kits since the coach was a near duplicate to the TOT coach. I was also able to do dome sleeper "Dream Cloud" by combing the Rowa Slumber Coach and the dome car, but stopped short of doing the dome diner or the dome obs car with its art deco rounded end. My cars are in UP colors,now Micro Scale has done the car names in the distinctive script (cursive) lettering,but in UP red like it was on the cars when the road first repainted the train.  Nate Goodman (Nato), Salt Lake,Utah.

[Bob Bufkin]

Nate:

I model Eastern roads but always liked the looks of this train.  either the original or UP colors would be fine with me.  Read something about the UP use of these cars but can't remember which trains they were used on.  My interest in UP stems from my early Navy days when I took the City of Los Angeles from Chicago to LA.  Five E's on the front and about 23 cars.  Road reclining seat coach all the way since the Navy wouldn't pay for a sleeper.  Great ride and a great train.
Bob

[Nato]

  Bob, When UP purchased this train it was placed in service as one of the Pool Trains that ran between Seattle and Portland. GN,NP and Union Pacific all contributed trains to this pool . The GM TOT consist was augmented by more lightweight coaches ,the dome sleeper while retaining its name was redesignated a parlor car and rooms were sold for day travel. A connecting sleeper was carried just ahead of the dome obs car. it was the design of these cars that led to Union Pacific's decission to order dome cars including dome diners(only road to have them) the layout (floor plans ) for the diners and obs car were similar to the PS built Train o Tomorrow cars. The "Moon Glow" dome obs car also directly influenced the design of the Santa Fe's Pleasure Dome Lounge cars,they were basically the Glow with no round end and the Famous Torquoise Room Private Dining room in the short end replacing a front end cocktail area,which on UP cars became a card room. I forgot that Con Cor's reciently released SF Dome Lounge could be kit bashed into the "Moon Glow" it is even available in UP colors I have one un modified that can represent the car after the rear end was squared off.                                                                                    I made many trips on UP Domeliners and Streamliners over the years some to Chicago then on to New York to visit my dads parents in Brooklyn, and some to Southern California for vacation trips. Yes the service was great and a meal in a dome diner dome was something not to be missed.                            Nate Goodman (Nato).