Bison-Peak

For more than 100 years, “Pullman” was synonymous with overnight train travel. Pullman was a manufacturer of sleeping cars, as well as an operator; Pullman provided the cars, furnished and staffed, and the railroads hauled them as part of their passenger trains. The railroad received a regular coach fare for each passenger, and Pullman got an extra charge which varied depending on the type of accommodation purchased. 

Inside the Bison Peak , there are two private drawing rooms and 10 traditional open sections. The open section is perhaps the most familiar image of overnight train travel in days gone by, containing an “upper” berth which folds down from the ceiling, and a “lower” berth created by moving the two facing seats together. The sections were open in the day and enclosed by curtains at night.  

During the Korean War, the Santa Fe Railway purchased a number of surplus Pullman sleeping cars (including this one) and converted them to coaches. This car served as coach No. 1127 from 1953 until 1960, when it was transferred to work train service. It served as a bunk car for thirty years, finally being retired in 1990.

With the help of Pacific Rail Industries, it came to the Museum in 1993. The car was repainted in 2007 for an appearance in a Hollywood movie production.

Links

Pullman Virtual Museum

The Pullman Project

Historic Pullman Foundation

Historic Pullman Shops in Richmond CA

Legacy of Pullman Car Porters video CBS news (You Tube video)