Copyright 1997-2022 Pacific Railroad Society, Inc.
Webmaster: PacificRRSociety@sbcglobal.net
Webmaster: PacificRRSociety@sbcglobal.net
Pacific Railroad Society, Inc.
210 W. Bonita Ave.
San Dimas, CA 91773
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Pacific Railroad Museum
210 W. Bonita Ave.
San Dimas, CA 91773
Phone: (909) 394-0616
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The only remaining Santa Fe RDC-1 is now owned by the PRS. The DC-191 is in the process of being restored. Of all of Santa Fe’s equipment, it has the most amazing history. It was involved in the worst train accident in California history and survived. It has gone through 6 different owners, and was involved in a second major accident when it belonged to the B&O in 1976. It is so rich in history that Ed Saalig has written a 232 page book covering its amazing and definitive history. If you would like to help us restore the DC-191, you may make a tax free donation to the “Help 191” fund c/o Pacific Railroad Society Inc. 210 W Bonita Ave., San Dimas, CA91773.
Download the new fact sheet on Pacific Railroad Society's
National Forum (PAR 1207)
National Forum (PAR 1207)
Interior of PRS's Cajon Pass lounge
Pacific Railroad Society's new Hi-Level Coach/Dormitory Transition Car
Photo by Vince Cammarano
Photo by Vince Cammarano
PRS has acquired a diverse collection of rolling stock.
We own two former Los Angeles Railway streetcars including the Descanso
which we believe is the only preserved funeral car in the country. The
Descanso has been completely restored to its 1909 splendor by our
members.
Our passenger car collection includes examples of coach, lounge, dining and
Pullman cars from the Streamline era. Flagship of the fleet is the National
Forum, a former Union Pacific Pullman sleeper. It has been extensively
upgraded to conform to current Amtrak mechanical requirements for mainline
service while retaining its completely original interior. It is one of the few cars
of its kind in service today.
PRS also owns and operates a 1941 General Electric locomotive as well as a
1942 caboose. All of these are maintained and preserved by our members.
Private cars owned by the Society represent the history of streamlined
passenger service. The cars were acquired directly from the railroads. Each
car retains the original interiors and are museum pieces. Maintained by
members on a voluntary basis, the cars are used whenever possible on the
Society's excursions. This collection includes many historically important
pieces of equipment.
- National Forum
- Santa Fe Transition Coach
- Santa Fe RDC DC-191
- Descanso Funeral Car
- 1559 Streetcar
- Starlight Cafe
- Cajon Pass
- Shasta Springs
- The Imperial Bird
- Timothy B. Blackstone
- Bloomington
- Council Bluffs
- Shadrach Bond
- Chippewa Creek
- Caboose # 25052
- USMC Diesel Loco # 7199
- TTX Flat TOFC 101211
- Wine Tank Car PAR 8200
- Baggage Car PAR 6697
LET'S GET ON BOARD THE NATIONAL FORUM by MARTI ANN DRAPER, EXCURSION DIRECTOR
As you all know, PRS owns several railroad cars. Many of you remember the high point of private car operation by PRS, which occurred in 1977 when we operated seven cars on a special train through Mexico. PRS was one of the founding members of AAPRCO, the American Association of Private Car Owners. I have always felt extremely proud that in spite of continual and increasing challenges, PRS has remained as one of the very few non-profit membership organizations which has maintained and operated its own cars.
The standards for operating private cars have become more and more stringent, so that now PRS has only two cars which have the required modifications to be used in Amtrak service. In recent years, the always small number of PRS volunteers who have turned out to regularly work on our cars at Saunders Yard has dwindled to one or two a week. In face of this lack of support, enthusiasm of the Rolling Stock Committee is at its lowest ebb.
We have one car, the National Forum, which we have continued to maintain in accordance with Amtrak's standards so it can be used on excursions. As your Excursion Director, I am eager to continue to use this historically important car on excursions so that we and younger generations can experience what it was like to ride in a typical sleeping car of the 1950's. This is not impossible; other private owners operate vintage cars, and right now Amtrak is willing to cooperate with them so it is still possible to have the experience of riding historic equipment on the high iron.
In light of this, the PRS Board has vested the Excursion Committee with the responsibility for keeping the National Forum running. This means that the Excursion Committee now has to rally those who agree that the National Forum should continue operating on Amtrak so that we can undertake necessary periodic maintenance and all of the various jobs which have to be done when a car goes on the road.
PRS needs you! Whether you have a particular mechanical skill, don't mind doing a dirty job now and again, or would like to participate in some hands-on historic preservation, now is the time to make yourself known! We will be putting together work parties at Amtrak's facilities in Los Angeles during the next couple of months with the aim of operating the Forum again as soon as possible. Wonder what kinds of work are needed? Contact me at prsexcursion@live.com or at (626) 570-0033 and I'll invite you down at a time that's convenient for you to be at the car. You don't have to commit to any regular schedule for your participation. We will work with you. I promise that after you have helped work on the car, when you are on the National Forum at speed in a real Amtrak train, you will experience a thrill that is like no other. People who work on the car will be afforded the chance to work on the excursions using the National Forum. Unlike most private car owners, you don't have to carry the whole burden of maintenance on your own shoulders. You can have complete pride of ownership and craftsmanship by working side by side with your fellow railfans. You can also involve your family and friends who are interested in historic passenger equipment. Contact me today!
As you all know, PRS owns several railroad cars. Many of you remember the high point of private car operation by PRS, which occurred in 1977 when we operated seven cars on a special train through Mexico. PRS was one of the founding members of AAPRCO, the American Association of Private Car Owners. I have always felt extremely proud that in spite of continual and increasing challenges, PRS has remained as one of the very few non-profit membership organizations which has maintained and operated its own cars.
The standards for operating private cars have become more and more stringent, so that now PRS has only two cars which have the required modifications to be used in Amtrak service. In recent years, the always small number of PRS volunteers who have turned out to regularly work on our cars at Saunders Yard has dwindled to one or two a week. In face of this lack of support, enthusiasm of the Rolling Stock Committee is at its lowest ebb.
We have one car, the National Forum, which we have continued to maintain in accordance with Amtrak's standards so it can be used on excursions. As your Excursion Director, I am eager to continue to use this historically important car on excursions so that we and younger generations can experience what it was like to ride in a typical sleeping car of the 1950's. This is not impossible; other private owners operate vintage cars, and right now Amtrak is willing to cooperate with them so it is still possible to have the experience of riding historic equipment on the high iron.
In light of this, the PRS Board has vested the Excursion Committee with the responsibility for keeping the National Forum running. This means that the Excursion Committee now has to rally those who agree that the National Forum should continue operating on Amtrak so that we can undertake necessary periodic maintenance and all of the various jobs which have to be done when a car goes on the road.
PRS needs you! Whether you have a particular mechanical skill, don't mind doing a dirty job now and again, or would like to participate in some hands-on historic preservation, now is the time to make yourself known! We will be putting together work parties at Amtrak's facilities in Los Angeles during the next couple of months with the aim of operating the Forum again as soon as possible. Wonder what kinds of work are needed? Contact me at prsexcursion@live.com or at (626) 570-0033 and I'll invite you down at a time that's convenient for you to be at the car. You don't have to commit to any regular schedule for your participation. We will work with you. I promise that after you have helped work on the car, when you are on the National Forum at speed in a real Amtrak train, you will experience a thrill that is like no other. People who work on the car will be afforded the chance to work on the excursions using the National Forum. Unlike most private car owners, you don't have to carry the whole burden of maintenance on your own shoulders. You can have complete pride of ownership and craftsmanship by working side by side with your fellow railfans. You can also involve your family and friends who are interested in historic passenger equipment. Contact me today!
Pacific Railroad Society, Inc., 210 W. Bonita Ave., San Dimas, CA 91773
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