The 1937 Budd built Acoma is truly a historic and significant railroad passenger car ... a transitional link between the heavyweight, (1930s and before) and lightweight/streamliner era (30s and beyond). The Acoma was not only part of the (arguably) most famous passenger train of the nation, but also was the first full sized, all stainless steel streamlined lounge car built for any railroad. On May
18, 1937, the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway launched its all new, all Pullman, lightweight, extra fare Super Chief on a once a week roundtrip between Los Angeles and Chicago. Setting a new standard, the Super Chief quickly became world famous for the finest, most premium quality service. In fact, the train became known as the "Train of the Stars" as much of its cliental was the rich and famous of Hollywood. Names like Jack Benny, Edgar Bergan (AND Charlie McCarty!), Edward G. Robinson, Dick Powell, Judy Garland, Clark Gable, Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis, Mary Pickford, Ogden Nash and Bing Crosby rode the Super Chief. The Original Super Chief train set was comprised of a baggage car, 4 sleeping cars (Taos, Isleta, Laguna and Oraibi), a dining car (Cochiti - survives at the California State Railroad Museum), round end observation car, (Navajo - survives at Colorado Railroad Museum), and the lounge/dormitory/barbershop car, Acoma. The Acoma alone, soldiers on, offering a taste of that former glory that was the Santa Fe's SUPER CHIEF. The remarkable survival of the Acoma is worthy of a reality television show, it surely would have ended up in the scrap yard save for a gentleman from Chilicothe, OH, who bought it and squirreled it away. In 1995, the car was purchased by it's co-saviors, John Bond and Ron Ashcraft. They have spent over a decade with a major mechanical upgrade to bring this car in line with current Amtrak requirements. The Acoma is now set to join that most exclusive of clubs, the ranks of Amtrak certified private railroad cars ... she may now once again grace the "HIGH IRON" ... the mainlines of America where she belongs, racing off the miles at full track speed as she continues to transport the lucky few who are privilege to board her and enjoy the Acoma's Southwestern Art Deco decor. This page is owned and updated by "Conductor Bill" of LARail.com, Inc. Bill is a passenger train advocate and an amateur railroad historian who enjoys the post-war streamline era of the American passenger train. This page will be used to announce upcoming events and opportunitys to ride this "most significant of passenger cars".
