Not sure that I can add to the descriptions above, on solarium cars, but I can tell you that they were one great way to travel. Almost all streamlined/lightweight designed observation cars were solariums, and I recall sitting back there, enjoying an adult beverage, watching the miles disappear behind me. Of particular pleasure was riding the California Zephyr when it was still operated by the three railroads.
I also rode a heavyweight solarium, but there was evidence that this car had been built by enclosing the rear platform of an open observation. At first I thought that this was sacrilege until I realized that I would not have been enjoying that view from an open car because it was in the middle of the winter!
There are a few open platform streamlined cars, but most of those were in private or business car service.
Paul Fischer
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