Inspection Cars
Fox River
The Fox River was built in 1954 by Pullman Standard as a two bedroom, two compartment, buffet-lounge-sleeper for Canadian National Railway. As No. 1087, named Cape Breton, the car was part of such name trains as the Montreal-Washington Washingtonian and the Montreal-Vancouver Super Continental.
The car was purchased by VIA Rail Canada in 1978 and reporting marks remained unchanged.
Five years later the car was sold to Rail Travel Associates. In 1984, Rail Travel Associates sold the car to Milwaukee Rail Car. Milwaukee Rail Car reconstructed it into a theater inspection car, complete with rearward facing terraced seating for 28, affording a view of the retreating right of way through a full-width picture window, which is protected while in storage by a roll-up, metal shade style cover.
In 1985 the C&NW Corporation bought the car and gave it the number 420 and the name Fox River. The car had new ownership once again a decade later after the UPRR & C&NW merger.
The car was taken to Northern Railcar in 1997 for rebuilding and floor plan renovation. It now is equipped with a galley for the preparation of buffet-style meals.
Idaho
The Idaho was built by American Car & Foundry in 1950 as a 12-roomette, 4-double bedroom car named the Western Mountain. It was rebuilt by Pullman Standard in 1965 as an 11-bedroom sleeper, the Sun Lane, and converted to the inspection car Idaho in 1980. This car features theater-type seating which faces a large rear picture window to permit unrestricted viewing of the track and structures along the right of way.
Track inspection has always been important, but perhaps the first real inspection car was created for Edward Harriman. It too had theater-type seats, but was open air, having only a roof to shelter the inspectors. Whether it was pushed in front of the locomotive or pulled at the end of the train is not known, but considering the cinders and smoke possible from coal-burning locomotives, pushing seems the more logical choice.
Idaho territory was established in 1863 and first included all of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. By 1868 its present boundaries were established and it entered the Union in 1890 as the 43rd state. Idaho is a coined word. It has no origin in any known Native American language. The railroad was built through Idaho in 1883 and large shop complexes were built at Pocatello, Glenns Ferry and Nampa.
The marketing of "Idaho baked potatoes" originated with the railroad which featured the potatoes as such on their dining car menus in hopes of increasing their popularity and thus increasing freight traffic. Today Idaho potatoes are hauled in entire trainloads, either whole or processed as french fries for large restaurant chains.