Pullman Train Cars

The Golden Age of Rail Travel

History

   After George Pullman spent an uncomfortable night on the train from Buffalo to Westfield in New York, he thought that there had to be a better way to travel the rails. He felt that a luxury rail car was needed. Pullman, born in New York in 1831, had moved to Chicago in1859. He had already been successful in business before he decided to improve rail travel.
   The “Pioneer” was Pullman’s first attempt at a luxury car. It failed because it was too wide for railway platforms and bridges. After reengineering the new Pullman car, it was included as part of President Lincoln’s funeral train in May of 1865. His car received national publicity and soon became famous for luxury train travel. In 1867, at the age of 36, Pullman established the Pullman Palace Car Company in Chicago.
Pullman Palace Cars included freshly prepared gourmet meals, dining cars, chandeliers, electric lighting, table lamps with silk shades, leather seating and advanced heating and air conditioning systems. As railroad networks and cross-country travel became more common the desire to travel in luxury increased.
   Robert T. Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln’s son, became President of the company after Pullman’s death. With the explosion of the automobile and air travel in the 1950’s rail traffic became less desirable. In 1957 Pullman Incorporated closed its plants.
   Most of the Pullman cars were taken out of commission in the 60’s cars were "rescued" and restored for future generations. She was bought by Finlay Fun-Time Tours in 1966. During her time with Finlay she was fully restored to her former glory.
   In 1969 the Pullman Cars "La Quinta" and La Jolla" were retired and also sold to Finlay. In 1995 the Feichtinger family purchased the rail cars from Fin to the train depot in Paso Robles in February of 1995. In May they made the move from downtown Paso Robles to Le Vigne Winery where they now reside. Le Vigne Winery is now home Pulitzer, an observation car, and the La Quinta and the La Jolla. It is our pleasure to be a part of the preservation of these "Lovely Ladies of the Rails."

Our Railcars

The La Quinta & The La Jolla

These cars were built by Pullman Standard in 1951. The trains were supposed to be part of the "Golden Rocket." This was to be a combined effort between the Rock Island Railroad and the Golden State Railroad. The line was supposed to run between Chicago -- Kansas City--Tucumcari-Los Angeles. A lot went into the development of this line. Because it was to be used in the Midwest and Southwest the Pullman Company used desert colors as a theme for the cars. Desert Gray was used for the exterior. Arizona blues and canyon reds in Apache Indian designs were used in the carpets and drapes. All of the compartments were named after Indian tribes. The “La Jolla” is a 12 double bedroom sleeper. "La Quinta" was a 2-4- 4 sleeper (which means she has two drawing rooms. 4 double bedrooms and four compartments). Using the latest technology of the time, rooms came with heating and air conditioning and their own rest rooms.
After the Golden State Railroad backed out of the deal, the "Golden Rocket" never ran a mile. part of the Rock Island line. They were used on two daily routes; one from Rock Island to Chicago and one from Chicago to Peoria.

The Joseph Pulitzer

The "Joseph Pulitzer" was one of the last Pullman observation cars. She was built in 1947. Named after Joseph Pulitzer, the famed publisher of the St. Louis Post Dispatch and the founder of the Pulitzer Prize for Journalism, the Pulitzer ran from St. Louis Union Station to San Antonio, Texas (known as "The Texas Special"). It was in operation till only 1956. After that it languished in the car shop in St. Louis until it was bought by Finlay in 1966. Decorated with Tiffany stained glass, she was restored to her former glory. She was renamed the Elihu C. Redfield, after Finlay’s great grandfather, who worked for the Missouri Pacific Railroad in the 1800’s. Observation cars had sleeping compartments. They also had buffet service with kitchens and lounge areas. Our Observation Car is one of the last two remaining cars of this style.