Equipment for a Reasonable Twilight Limited Consist

The Twilight Limited was the Michigan Central’s all parlor car train ran between Chicago & Detroit, …….some coaches added during depression era,….early trains # 25-26, later 30-31,….I don’t think there’d be any sleepers on that short of a run, ….

Pat

A lot of work to make into modern quality cars, but Walthers made some nice heavyweight parlor car kits.  With some work and practice they can be made into really nice cars. 

Are parlor cars more opulent in design compared to coach cars meaning roomier, and more open? Something like some of the Strasburg cars I'm thinking inside, not sure about how outside would be?

@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

Are parlor cars more opulent in design compared to coach cars meaning roomier, and more open? Something like some of the Strasburg cars I'm thinking inside, not sure about how outside would be?

It’s the window arrangement that’s sets a parlor car apart from a coach Dave, ….sure, one could pull out the coach interior, and install the types of seats found in a parlor car, but it wouldn’t be 100% accurate,…..

Pat

So this is a terrible picture but it's the one I've taken so...

This is the Cedar Rapids, showing off a what's probably a slightly more modern parlor style, but my understanding is that parlor seating is usually some flavor of single row of chairs on either side of the car.  Probably wouldn't look too much different on the outside unless there's something specific about window placements.

Edit: Oops, took too long typing this and missed Pat's comment that yes, window spacing does matter.

Found a few interior shots of heavyweight parlor cars
https://nycshs.omeka.net/items/show/97599
https://nycshs.omeka.net/items/show/165421
https://nycshs.omeka.net/items/show/130407

Also an interior and exterior shot of the same car
https://nycshs.omeka.net/items/show/100903
https://nycshs.omeka.net/items/show/100908

Thomas, you probably could build your own consist, using green heavyweights, at very least, one combination car, perhaps a baggage, and make some coaches into parlor cars, perhaps a diner, …..shorter train, maybe 7-10 cars, …one picture exists of a J3a # 5434 with PT tender pulling out of Kalamazoo ( might’ve been into Kalamazoo so don’t quote me on that ) …..I think some coaches remained up to & past the war…..remember, this was a short trip train set, so no sleepers during steam that I’m aware of, …..the train was dropped right before P/C merger, but reintroduced during Slamtrak.

Pat

Thanks for the advice, Pat. It's much appreciated.

While the Lionel cars don't really hold a candle to the Golden Gate Depot coaches, they might be able to be converted to something in the likes of decent parlor cars for an inexpensive price. GGD does still has reservation openings for the prewar and postwar Heavyweight coaches in both Pullman green and NYC two-tone. We'll see what I can work with...

@Mikado 4501 posted:

Thanks for the advice, Pat. It's much appreciated.

While the Lionel cars don't really hold a candle to the Golden Gate Depot coaches, they might be able to be converted to something in the likes of decent parlor cars for an inexpensive price. GGD does still has reservation openings for the prewar and postwar Heavyweight coaches in both Pullman green and NYC two-tone. We'll see what I can work with...

To me, the Twighlight Limited was kinda like a luxury evening train for probably well-to -do executives and elites …..So think plush amenities , plenty of alcohol, and good food,…..coaches added during depression era for those souls that lost their backsides in the landslides…

Pat