I’ve wanted to make a Santa Fe heavyweight passenger train for some time so I’ve been slowly acquiring cars, parts and research material for several years. Recently, I’ve done more research and decided to model the California Limited as it was in 1939 arriving/departing Los Angeles. The consists of the Chicago-Los Angeles train varied as cars were dropped and added at various points. The train was so popular that it often ran with multiple sections so it is entirely possible that a train with just about any car similar to those listed on the June 11, 1939 consist list 1-Z would be correct.

Here’s what I’ve found so far. As you can see there are still questions and blank spaces. If you can help with corrections, information or reference material, please add a comment below.

1. Locomotive and tender

A. Description: 3700 class, oil burner, without stack modifications for tunnels

B. Name/number: A.T.S.F. number to be determined, 3746 was used on the Calif. Ltd. in 1946; need to find prototype of Balboa model with the same appearance on the front of the tender.

C. HO model: Balboa, brass (this may be a “nonesuch” model without a prototype; it may have 63″ drivers instead of the correct 69″ ones); Sunset, brass; Division Point, brass.

D. Details to be added to the model: paint and lettering

E. Major references: Iron Horses of the Santa Fe, Worley; “Santa Fe’s 3700 Class 4-8-2s,” Kistler, SFRH&MS Warbonnet, 4th Qtr. 1998; Santa Fe 3700 Class 4-8-2 Mountain Pictorial, Ainsworth & Karam, Jr.; photo of 3743 with tender right-rear view, P. 165, Steel Rails Through California, Kistler.

2.0 Baggage-Express (per consist No. 1-Z L.A.-Chicago in lieu of Baggage-Express-Mail)

A. Description:

B. Name/number: to be determined, 1710-1799 for Suydam car, see photo of 1772 on P. 47 of Passenger Trains in California

C. HO model: Suydam RR-5

D. Details to be added to the model: frame (scratchbuild), underbody details from Santa Fe chair car (Walthers 932-10351) & trucks (Central Valley T-22 trucks, K-23 kingpins), diaphragms (Am. Ltd. #9200) — single or double battery boxes? when were clerestory windows plated over and replaced with four screened vents?

E. Major references: Model Railroader, P. 378, August 1942; Car & Loco Plans for Model Railroaders (for car #s 1820-1829); http://www.movie-trains.com/sleroster1.html; Head End Cars, Ellington & Shine

2.1 Baggage-Express-Mail (per consist No. 1-Z Chicago-L.A. in lieu of Baggage-Express)

A. Description: (don’t know if it has a 15′ or 30′ mail room)

B. Name/number: (to be determined, 2105-2114 for 15′ mail room SFRH&MS kit)

C. HO model: SFRH&MS car sides and core (made by NKP Car Co., no #)

D. Details to be added to the model: floor (scratchbuild) & trucks (Central Valley T-22 trucks, K-23 kingpins), diaphragms (Am. Ltd. #9200)

E. Major references: Head End Cars, Ellington & Shine

3. Chair

A. Description: Chair

B. Name/number: (to be determined, 3060-3069 for Walthers car)

C. HO model: Walthers 932-10351

D. Details to be added to the model: diaphragms (Am. Ltd. #9200), window shades (LaserKit #382, buff); replace yellow lettering with gold

E. Major references: http://atsfrr.net/Reviews/HO/Passenger/Walthers/HwtCoach/Index.htm; Coach, Smoker & Chair Car Geneology, McCall

4. Tourist 16-section sleeper

A. Description: Pullman

B. Name/number: choose one: 4073-4097, 4142-4144, 4061, 4064-66, 4168, 4170, 4173, 4175, 4178-80, 4186, 4188, 4191, 4193, 4223-28

C. HO model: 16-section sleeper from Pullman pool (not specifically for Santa Fe) Plan 2412U (NKP Car Co. #?) — need to determine how different it is from a tourist 16-section sleeper (per Bob Drenk: TS cars were the standard cars of the early years..

the car body..these cars were built in the ‘teens, mostly..early 20’s)

D. Details to be added to the model: steam-ejector A/C (NKP #? or from Walthers chair car), diaphragms (Am. Ltd. #9200), window shades (LaserKit #382, buff)

E. Major references: http://www.atsfrr.net/resources/Page/HWTPsgr.htm; Plan 2412 Mainline Modeler, June 1986

5. Standard 10-1-2 sleeper

A. Description: Pullman Plan 3585 per Walthers model

B. Name/number: choose one: Lake Bonaparte, Lake Kegonsa, Lake Martha, Lake Owen (all were 1937 assignments from Pullman)

C. HO model: Walthers 932-10551; Branchline Trains 5200 (undecorated) or 5299 (green w/black roof, unlettered)

D. Details to be added to the model: steam-ejector A/C (Walthers Santa Fe chair car); diaphragms (Am. Ltd. #9200), window shades (LaserKit #382, buff)

E. Major references: http://www.atsfrr.com/resources/Page/HWTPsgr.htm (cites other references); Mainline Modeler, March 1985; photo of Lone Lake and others showing roof A/C, P. 156, Steel Rails Through California, Kistler.

6. Diner

A. Description: Pullman

B. Name/number: 1410 is shown on a 1932 Train 3 (westbound) consist

C. HO model: Suydam RR-3

D. Details to be added to the model: steam-ejector A/C (Coach Yard #1015), diaphragms (Am. Ltd. #9200), roof vents, ice hatch, underfloor parts

E. Major references: Dining and Beverage Service Cars of the Santa Fe, McCall

7. Lounge

A. Description: Pullman Plan 1050 bar-lounge-dormitory (rebuilt 1300-1311 series baggage-buffet-library)

B. Name/number: 1351

C. HO model:

D. Details to be added to the model: diaphragms (Am. Ltd. #9200), window shades (LaserKit #382, buff)

E. Major references: www.sdrm.org/roster/passenger/lo-1304/index.html; Dining and Beverage Service Cars of the Santa Fe, McCall

8. Standard 12-1 sleeper

A. Description: Pullman Plan 3410A per Walthers model

B. Name/number: need to see which were likely to be assigned to the Calif. Ltd. and were Plan 3410A: Alpland, Aylsebury, Balzac, Bohemian, Bonsecour, Burland, Bushard, Chatsworth, East Byars, East Cairo, Elveden, Fort Monroe, Holtenau, Hopatgong, Ilsesboro, Isolita, Jefferson, McCallum, McCloskey, McConaughy, McConnico, McDowell, McKell, McMann, McPeek, McRaney (shown on a 1932 Train 3 (westbound) consist), McWade, Milbank, Napanoch, Oakhill, Ondawa (shown on a 1932 Train 3 (westbound) consist), Orston, Parvin, Prometheus, Raritan, Red Juniper, Red Mill, Red Oak, Red Pheasant, Red Pine, Sbago, Sundridge, Torbert, Vandor, Viento, Watanga, Yakima.

C. HO model: Walthers 932-10001; Branchline Trains 5300 (undecorated) or 5399 (green w/black roof, unlettered)

D. Details to be added to the model: steam-ejector A/C (Walthers Santa Fe chair car); diaphragms (Am. Ltd. #9200), window shades (LaserKit #382, buff)

E. Major references: http://www.atsfrr.com/resources/Page/HWTPsgr.htm; “Modeling Pullman Heavyweight Sleepers,” Railway Prototype Cyclopedia, Vols. 1, 2.

9. Standard 8-1-2 sleeper

A. Description: Pullman Plan 3979A per Walthers model (3979A was built for Chief as of 1937; by 1939 the Chief used lightweight cars so it’s plausible that at least one was then used on the California Limited)

B. Name/number: choose one: Centacre, Centcroft, Centdale, Centello, Centholm, Centlow, Centosa, Centrock, Centshire, Centwell

C. HO model: Walthers 932-10051; Branchline Trains 5000 (undecorated) or 5099 (green w/black roof, unlettered)

D. Details to be added to the model: steam-ejector A/C (Walthers Santa Fe chair car); diaphragms (Am. Ltd. #9200), window shades (LaserKit #382, buff)

E. Major references: http://www.atsfrr.com/resources/Page/HWTPsgr.htm; Centwell, later MOW 194289, is at the Fillmore & Western Ry, Fillmore, CA

10. Standard 2-3 observation

A. Description: Pullman

B. Name/number: choose one: Central Mountains, Central Provinces are shown on a 1932 Train 3 (westbound) consist

C. HO model:

D. Details to be added to the model: diaphragms (Am. Ltd. #9200), window shades (LaserKit #382, buff), lighted tail sign (Tomar #H-100 or #81-100)

E. Major references:

11. Car colors

A. Sides, end, steps, battery box covers: gloss A.T. & S.F. Coach green

B. Roof: Flat black

C. Center sills, air tanks, brake cylinders, water tanks (some cars): black

C. Trucks and underbody except as above: semi-gloss A.T. & S.F. Truck Brown

D. Interior:

E. Window shades: Brown per P. 13,  Santa Fe Painting and Lettering Guide, Hendrickson (C.H. note: LaserKit #382 buff should be OK)

1938 Cleaver heater trailer

Here’s a photo of something that shows why I like the late ’30s time period. It’s a streamlined Cleaver car heater trailer. It was used to connect to a railroad tank car containing viscous fluid such as heavy road oil. As long as the liquid was thin enough to drain from the car, the car heater would raise the temperature to as high as 350 degrees F before pumping it into a tank truck.

The photo and a description were in “The Highway and Street Manual” 1939 Edition published by Public Works Magazine. It’s an annual publication compiling the latest in road construction equipment, material and techniques. I bought it from a seller on ebay.com for about $10 including postage. The 98 page booklet contains a wealth of photos and information about the subject. Often, I just copy photos from ebay listings without buying the item. By searching for, say, 1939, I’ve found a lot of interesting stuff in the past ten or so years.

My specialty is southern California in 1939. If you are looking for something in this time period, I may be able to help. You can post your request by clicking the “comments” link below.

The ’20s & ’30s Modular Model Railroad will set up a small display at the San Bernardino, CA Amtrak station on National Train Day. Come on down….it’s free!

The station is adjacent to the Metrolink station so it’s easy to get there by rail.

If you’re driving, the address is 1170 West Third Street San Bernardino, CA 92410.

Bill Grunklee shot these photos on our layout at the Orange County Fairgrounds on March 21-22. His camera will focus on objects that are almost touching it!

A Pacific Electric Twelve rolls on the club's city corner module.

Pacific Electric cars are at rest on Dave McCanne's '20s-era module.

A stalled Essex on Charley Hepperle's module requires some attention.

A collision on Rich De Rosa's module leads to some wild arm waving.

Here's what the setup at a show looks like.

To give visitors a close-up look at our railroad, I installed a spy cam in a train going around the layout. It gives a live look at our world as if from a hobo looking out the door of a box car. To start the project, I took an HO box car and built a styrene box to hold a 9v battery.

After fitting in the components, we tried it out at our last show but were plagued by interference. A few seconds at a time of uninterrupted reception was all that we could get. With many radio-control throttles from ours and other layouts in the hall as well as DCC in the rails below the car we figured that adding a Faraday box around the video camera/transmitter would help.

Here’s the revised set-up showing the Faraday cage made of brass shim stock that will be grounded to the battery.

It took a lot of shoehorning to get it all to fit.

With the addition of an old rabbit ears antenna connected to the receiver, we tried it out at the Great Train Expo on March 21-22, 2009 at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, California. The antenna and Faraday cage reduced interference enough that the image was watchable. Visitors had a great time trying to figure out which car had the camera. The view was particularly good on Dave McCanne’s module because it has a high backdrop on it that blocked out views of the convention hall and club members in the background.

Charley

Lionel steam loco

One of the things that influenced my interest in model trains were the Lionel 027 trains that I received in the ’50s. Santa Claus left a train set for me in 1957. Soon after, my cousin Richard gave me his two steam locos (one is shown above), a half-dozen cars and bunch of track and accessories. They survived many years of hard use. Eventually I stopped playing with them but kept them boxed up. In the ’80s I replaced missing bulbs and made minor repairs but the toy trains held no real attraction other than their sentimental value. I had started in HO scale railroading in the early ’70s and wasn’t about to change. Now, I’ve gotten tired of finding room to store them so I put them all up on that famous internet auction site. Despite their chipped paint (and my unfortunate attempts at “improving” some of them with poorly done detail painting when I was about ten or twelve) it looks like every one one will sell. Of course, my starting most of the auctions at 99 cents was a factor, especially when there was only a single bidder. But, I don’t care. I just want to send them all off to people who can enjoy them. About five years ago I set them up in the living room at Christmas time. It was OK but I never had the interest to repeat it. I’d rather spend my hobby time with scale model trains instead of toys so I have no regrets in letting them go.

Yes, it’s hokey but I’m building one anyway.

Here’s the story: in the ’30s California pumpkin and apple grower associations decided to team up to promote their products for Halloween in a new way. They decided to make up a train that would travel from town to town in their biggest market, southern California, for a few weeks in October. In each town, a grocery store would publicize the event and would have Halloween items to sell alongside the train when it arrived.

We don’t know for sure, but there’s a good chance that fellow who put it all together was a young man named P.J. Bresee. He talked the Pacific Fruit Express into loaning a ventilated reefer since the pumpkin growers were a good customer. He arranged to have a temporary sign attached that spelled out “Pumpkin Fun Express” while keeping the PFE reporting marks. He also had a couple of huge low-profile pumpkin shapes built of paper maché and nailed to the sides as attention getters. These changes could be easily removed without damaging the car when it was returned to the PFE.

The apple growers have a tanker decorated with a banner promoting apple cider.

When word of the promotion got around, a candy company offered to loan a billboard car with their name on it. This was about the time that the ICC declared that advertising on railroad cars had to end so this was probably the last time it would be seen before it got repainted.

P.J. talked the Santa Fe into providing a loco and crew as a goodwill gesture for both the shippers and the public who would see the train. The engine will have a large scary mask tied on the front of the smokebox. Getting into the spirit of things, the railroad also provided a condemned 1890s parlor observation car that was on its way to the scrappers because of its wood body. The derelict condition of the car was not a problem as it would be a haunted house on wheels to entertain those brave enough to enter it at the promotional stops. High school students along the way would be hired to wear costumes and man the car.

There might be a flat car, too, carrying California’s heaviest pumpkin award winner from the state fair and decorated with jack-o-lanterns, ghosts, goblins and some washtubs for kids to bob for apples.

See the train on the ’20s & ’30s layout at the Los Angeles Division/NMRA Fall Meet in Rancho Palos Verdes on October 25 and 26, 2008. For details about the show, download a flyer at http://www.ladiv-nmra.org/trainshow.pdf

Charley

Photos of the club modules appear in the September 2008 issue of Scale Rails, the monthly National Model Railroad Association magazine. The two-page spread features the club as the winner of the first place group module award. Dave Toshak can be seen in the large photo and Dave McCanne in the one below it. Click on the photo to enlarge it.

Mike and Linda, his new wife, have graciously searched out the material and sewed it into new curtains to hide the legs of our modules. Rich has taken them to a firm for fireproofing. We’ll see them in use for the first time at the NMRA National Train Show at the Anaheim Convention Center on July 18-20. Thanks to all for helping make the club display look first class.

Charley