       
COFFEE CREEK - BACKGROUNDThe Milwaukee Road has long been noted for its awesome scenery; particularly on the Pacific Extension, which traverses several mountain ranges. When the road's premiere western train, the "Olympian" was reequipped and renamed the Olympian Hiawatha, they naturally wanted a distinctive observation car for scenic viewing. The Pullman Company, with noted Industrial Designer Brooks Stevens, came up with a stunning variation of their standard boat tail observation car. The lower part of the rear end, up to just below the window line, is standard in all respects. Above that, an open framework wraps around to create a bubble. The areas between the frame members are fitted with glass, resulting in a lounge that is nearly 90% transparent. There were six identical cars ordered in 1946 and delivered in late 1948 and early 1949 for the Olympian Hiawatha Route between Chicago and Tacoma, Washington. These cars were Eight Bedroom - SkyTop Observation Cars. The six cars were named "Adler Creek," "Arrow Creek," "Coffee Creek," "Gold Creek," "Marble Creek" and "Spanish Creek." Four more Milwaukee-built cars (with a shorter Skytop bubble end and a Parlor configuration) were made for use on other trains. These were the only ten cars built to this unique Brooks Stevens design and are believed to be the only cars to be completely designed by an industrial designer.  INTERESTING NOTES ABOUT THE SKYTOP/LOUNGE CARS: The original cars, despite their stunning 'modern' design were outfitted in - as one writer puts it - "slap-dash Art Deco". The carpet was monotone, and the forward end of the car had rubber tile on the floor. The lounge section seated 20, using chairs, sofas and a table section. Buffet service was not provided in these cars. It is often thought that the railroad wanted to keep the bar revenue for itself, rather than letting Pullman share in it, but a 1944 judicial ruling separating Pullman car bulding from Pullman service revenues contradicts this. However Complimentary tea was served in the skytop lounge each day at 4:00.
 Because it was SO tight, Porters often slept in unoccupied passenger compartment. The bubble design, with windows running clear up to the top, delivers a stunning view of surrounding scenery. The original cars were painted in Milwaukee's classic maroon and pumpkin orange, with black roof, brown underframe and trucks. The car rides on Nystrom trucks developed by Karl F. Nystrom, the Milwaukee Road's Chief Mechanical Officer. The Nystrom trucks are legendary for their smooth ride. 
 From original Olympian Hiawatha brochure, 1947 (click for larger image) TIMELINE The Brook Stevens designed Skytop Creek series cars were ordered from Pullman-Standard in February 1946. Nearly two years later on December 20,1948 the Coffee Creek departed Pullman’s Calumet shops and was delivered to the Milwaukee Road as one of six cars from lot 6775, plan 4138. The downward spiral that enveloped US passenger rail travel in the 1960s caught-up with these distinctive
Contrary to what was then a growing trend, the Canadian National Railway's passenger department was in the midst of resurgence. Taking advantage of the innovative incentives of CNR vice-president Pierre Delagrave, Canadians were returning to the rails in increasing numbers. One stop in a continent-wide search for serviceable second-hand equipment to meet the growing demand brought CN officials to the Milwaukee Road in early 1964. Before they left, a deal was concluded that would see 10 cars given a new lease on life north of the border. Among them, the Coffee Creek.
Originally assigned for service east of Montreal on The Chaleur, Scotian, and Ocean Ltd, Fundy and its siblings were eventually found on the rear of the Super Continental for a time. By the early 1970s, all six Skyviews had been withdrawn once again, and stored in the CNR Halifax coachyard; the Canadian Transport Commission expressed concerns over passenger safety due to the lack of egress at one end (resolved with emergency windows today). Temporary repairs were made to enable the cars to pay a return visit to Point St Charles in September of 1976 for stripping, before rolling their final miles to the scrapper. At least, that was the plan. After a period of storage adjacent to Winnipeg, Manitoba's Union Stn, the Fundy was purchased by John Arbuckle, Hutchinson, KS & Mark Bucol, St Louis MO/Gateway Railtours Inc. John Arbuckle continues the story: "I found out about the 6 cars being stored at Transcona Shops in an early issue of RAILFAN magazine, so I made arrangements to inspect the cars at Transcona. I believe this was in 1977 or 1978. The FUNDY was the one in the least ravaged condition, and I was awarded it in a sealed bid.Milwaukee Rail Car also installed new D22 brakes, OH heat, an AC system, new blower and new electrical locker & controls. A 35kw generator & fuel tank was also installed. "The next move was to the St.Louis area, which was via Amtrak (we rode, of course, with some folding chairs in the obs lounge, plus the bedrooms had the sofas)."The observation end of the car was re-sheeted & the collision posts repaired. A new tight lock coupler was installed. New vestibule end sills and corner posts were replaced and the vestibule completely rebuilt. The interior corridor walls were replaced with aluminized paneling. The exterior of the car was completely stripped, patched & primed. Zinc chromate was applied around the Skytop windows to ensure protection from potential corrosion . Eventually, Coffee Creek was traded to Dirk Lenthe of Fargo, ND. In 2000, the car was purchased by Taylor Johnson, Coffee Creek Rail Tours, and refurbishment of the car resumed. Coffee Creek Rail Tours  PO Box 1808
Eustis, FL 32726 Email: coffeecreek@comcast.net |
