Chicago Burlington and Quincy 4717 "Silver Lodge" Vista dome-chair car

Builder: Budd Company

Built: February-May 1948, lot number 9656-021

The Vista-Dome coach was the hallmark of the CZ.  Each car featured forty-six reserved seats on the main level and an additional twenty-four unreserved seats in the dome level. Unlike many other trains, the dome seating in the forward cars was open to everyone and would remain so for the entire life of the CZ. Typically, three dome coaches were placed in each train and located directly behind the baggage car or, in later years, a flat top coach.

Three varieties of CZ dome coach were built: the "Women's and Children's" car where one section (segregated from the rest of the car by a door) was reserved for women traveling with small children, the "Conductor's Coach" featuring a small office for the train conductor, and the standard car with no special features.  The "Silver Lodge" was built as a "Women's and Children's" Cars and, like its siblings, lost its doorway and special section in the early 1950's.  After the end of the CZ, the "Lodge" went to Amtrak for long-distance trains.  After retirement from Amtrak, the car was purchased by Denver Railcar and entered lease and charter service on a number of operations. These included a stint in Alaska from 1984-86 and tourist service in Mexico in 2000-01.

Following acquisition of the Silver Lodge, FRRS volunteers completed a clean-out and initial assesment of the car.  It will need a completely restored dome section, but several items are intact and in good condition, including the Mary Lawser mural.  Unfortunately, the classic Budd side skirts have been removed and will need to be replicated, a very expensive proposition.