| This car, built by Budd Company in November of 1948, has led an interesting life. Originally WP #831, it was used in payment to CBQ when one of their cars was destroyed while in WP storage. Upon the BN/CBQ merger, it was renumbered BN #804 (not applied) and then BN 252. It slid onto the Amtrak roster as #9812 and later through several private owners. Quad Graphics bought it and heavily modified it, especially adding the massive open vestibule (nicknamed "The Alligator" by some.) It is now stored at the St Louis Union Station. Unfortunately it was closed while we were there. |