Hey guys I am trying to track down some prototype information for a 1943 Golden State consist. here is what I have so far. Leaving Chicago: Diesel 623 DL107 Diesel 603 TA baggage SP 6080 (Harriman, Color?) coach SP 2070 (Harriman, Color?) coach SP 2430 (PS 44 Seat fluted Coach, Cascade Green?) tourist sleeper 4182 (16 Section HW Sleeper?) tourist sleeper 4253 (16 Section HW Sleeper?) tourist sleeper 3090 (14 Section HW Sleeper?) tourist sleeper 4237 (16 Section HW Sleeper tourist sleeper Extra Same as Above? tourist sleeper Extra Same? parlor lounge 3521 No idea what if this HW or LW? diner 453 RI 453 is not a diner, Maybe an SP car? 6-6-4 sleeper Pu 509 HW or LW? 4-4-2 sleeper Pu 203 (Lark) HW or LW? 4-4-2 sleeper Pu 208 HW or LW? 6-6-4 sleeper Pu 502 HW or LW? sleeper Pu St. Catherine More Info needed!
Orion, I rode this train in Nov. '45, May '46, Sep. '46, and May '47 between Chicago and Tucson, so I should be able to help you. Unfortunately, I was only 10-12 at the time, so remember little except an SP GS-4 refueling and watering in El Paso (WOW!), the rows upon rows of corn mile after mile in Kansas (hypnotizing), and freight cars spread all over hell-n-gone from a derailment somewhere in New Mexico (scary, but fascinating), I can't help you...sorry. :-( P.S., if that train were to be run again, even as an over the top expensive excursion, I would definitely take it...both ways!!!!!
The 4-4-2s ( 4 Compartments - 4 Double Bedroom - 2 Drawing Room) and 6-6-4s (6 Sections - 6 Roomettes - 4 Double Bedrooms) were lightweight while St. Catherine was a heavyweight Plan 3410 12 Section - 1 Drawing Room car like that made by MicroTrains. This car was Rock Island, a Budd 24-seat Parlor - Bar 28-seat Coach round-end observation car.
