The opposite end of my passenger car spectrum is best seen in a 'before and after' setting. I tend to be a champion of sorts for lost causes in this respect. The subject is a pre-War Walthers observation car I found as a 'junker,' at one of the O Scale Midwest March Meets for $10. It had stamped, wooden block ventilators, parts of a built-up-brass rear platform railing and one truck. The old NY Central decals on it were elegantly done in gold with thin, black outlining - something Walthers never made again. The model was of a high-end Pullman accommodation: 3 compartment / 2 drawing room / lounge/observation.
After is how it looks, becoming a model of the private car "Virginia City" when owned by Lucius Beebe and Charles Clegg. They may not be so well known now as they were in the 1950's from their many railroad photo album and narrow gauge books. The prototype photo of Virginia City was taken at SP Yard in Sparks, NV, where it was stored between trips. Here it shows some age, after Beebe's and Clegg's deaths. It was later moved to the San Francisco Bay area, where it was sold, and updated to Amtrak standards and painted in SP's former two-tone gray livery. For a while, was available for charter. S. Islander.
BEFORE
AFTER 
PROTOTYPE
