Dome Coaches

Challenger

The Challenger was built by Pullman Standard in 1958 as Dome Coach No. 7015, the last dome car built. It was reacquired by Union Pacific in 1989.

The Challenger passenger trains, known as "Everybody's Limited," were introduced in the middle of the Depression in an attempt to draw ridership back to the rails. The equipment was spartan and the meal service was advertised as "three meals for under a dollar a day." There was good food and plenty of it, but it wasn't the first-class fare of the streamliners, where one meal might cost $1.25.

The introduction of the Challenger also started the use of registered-nurse-stewardess service in August 1935. These single women were charged with first-aid service for the entire train, but their main function was to assist women with small children and children traveling alone. They were paid $125 per month plus expenses. There were exclusive coaches for women and children which were placed at the head of the train, thus eliminating the need for men to even walk through the cars.

Even though it was called the Challenger, during its first months of operation, it ran as the second section to the Los Angeles Limited. In May 1936, the Challenger was given its own number and began to run on its own. In 1937, the San Francisco Challenger was added. As dome cars were acquired, the Challenger became the Challenger Domeliner and ran until 1971.

The Columbine was built by American Car & Foundry in 1955 as dome coach No. 7001. It was reacquired by Union Pacific in 1989.

The columbine is the state flower of Colorado. When a new heavyweight train was put on the run between Chicago, Illinois, and Denver, Colorado, in 1929, it was named after the flower. The train was dubbed the “Flower of Travel Comfort.” The train’s limousine lounge car, the Colorado Club, had a special color scheme. The car also featured buffet soda fountain service, as well as standard valet features. The observation platform was enclosed and called a solarium. In the dining car, a special china pattern was in use. The Columbine and the Portland Rose were the only two Union Pacific trains which had exclusive dining car china patterns. Though the train was in daily service and there were only four dining cars, china quantities were limited. Today the most collectible china pattern from Union Pacific is the Columbine. Recently a cup and saucer sold at auction for $1,650.

In addition to the lounge and diner, there were standard Pullman sleeping cars and coaches. Two of the sleeping cars were not put on the train until it reached Omaha, Nebraska. The timetable notes that these cars would not be available for boarding until 9:30 p.m. for a 12:06 a.m. westbound departure. On the eastbound trip, the train arrived in Omaha at 6:30 a.m., but passengers could remain in their sleeping space until 8:00 a.m.

The Columbine remained in service until 1950.