PRR Round-End Streamlined Observation Cars

Tom,

I don't have quick access to research materials, but the boat-tails definitely stayed in service after the flat-end observations came online. the boat tails were relegated to second and third tier trains. I am not aware of them being rebuilt before retirement.  I'll do some digging for you on the subject.

Chris

Thanks, Chris.

Some of the Morning sun PRR equipement books have pics of streamlined round end observation cars.

Tom,

Some Pennsy POC85 and POC85A boat tails obsv. were still in service as late as 1954, according to a roster search from that year. The flat end obsv. came online in 1948 and 1949

Here is a link to the search page from the Keystone Crossings web site:

http://kc.pennsyrr.com/data/varnish/search_class.php?q=POC85&Search=Search

if for some reason the roster sheet does not show up, then start a new search using the car class names above.

Chris

I have heard the PRR did not like the boats was that they road rough?

The pre-war round end PRR observation cars did see reasonably long service after WWII. Following the delivery of the post-war Broadway Limited square end observation-lounge cars, the 1938 Broadway Limited round end cars were refurbished, painted in the 3 stripe post war passenger scheme, and assigned to PRR's #2 train on the NY Chicago route - The General.  Their appearance further changed when in the early 1950's the pre-war lightweight passenger cars were partially deskirted for easier access to the under-floor gear.  I haven't seen info on the similar pre-war Liberty Limited round end cars but they were on the roster for many years.  There are published  photos of a pre-war  Budd built Sunshine Special (Chicago-Florida) round end observation car running in that service in the mid 1950’s. 

Ed Rappe