Unveiled in June 1929, the "Empire Builder" quickly established itself as the flagship passenger train of the Great Northern. Named for GN founder James J. Hill, it ran from Chicago (via the Burlington to St. Paul) to Seattle, with a separate section to Portland. Post-war plans for the new streamlined version were unveiled in early 1945 with the arrival of EMD E7A-A diesels attired in brilliant Omaha Orange and Pullman Green (later known as the Empire Builder scheme); deliveries of matching cars continued through 1947. Not content with this upgrade, GN completely refitted the train once more in 1951 and assigned A-B-A sets of F units as standard power. The Empire Builder reached its pinnacle of luxury in 1955 with the arrival of brand-new Vista-Dome and full or Great Dome cars offering incredible views of western scenery. This longer and heavier train was pulled by A-B-B-A sets of F units. Based on the 1955 train, Walthers offers a complete series of authentic models to re-create this legendary streamliner:
932-9032 ACF Baggage-Mail #37-42
932-9035 ACF Baggage-Dormitory #1200-1205
932-9031 ACF 60-Seat Coach #1209-1214
932-9039 Budd 48-Seat Vista Dome Coach #1320-1335
932-9034 ACF Ranch Coffee Shop Lounge #1240-1245 ("...Lake" Series)
932-9037 ACF 36-Seat "Lake" Series Diner
932-9040 Budd Great Dome "...View" Series Lounge #1390-95
932-9033 P-S "River" Series 7-4-3-1 Sleeper
932-9036 P-S "Pass" Series 6-5-2 Sleeper
932-9038 "Coulee" Series 6-4-1 Observation
PLEASE NOTE: As these cars are the correct prototype length and feature full underbody detail to match the prototypes, a minimum 24" radius is recommended for operation.
PROTO 2000 GN EMD F7 DIESELS:
920-40587 A-B Set w/Sound & DCC
920-40589 A-B Set Standard DC
920-40588 A Only w/Sound & DCC
920-40590 A Only Standard DC
For more details about Walthers Empire Builder series, click here.
* Second in 10-Car Series * Completely New Car * Superbly Detailed Inside & Out * Authentic Paint & Lettering * Car Name & Number Decals * Correct Truck Sideframes * Metal RP-25 Wheels * Factory-installed Electrical Pickups * Easy DC or DCC Interior Lighting Installation * Working Diaphragms * Knuckle Couplers
Although never occupied by the traveling public, the Railway Post Office (RPO) cars on the Empire Builder were some of the most important on every run. Revenues from mail and express helped pay the bills, so RPOs #37-42 were ordered from American Car & Foundry in 1951. These 85'-long cars had 60' of space devoted to the postal apartment - twice the space of the 1947-built cars they replaced - where mail was picked up, sorted and delivered enroute. The remaining space was used for checked baggage and priority express shipments. The cars were still in service in 1967 when GN introduced its striking Big Sky Blue and white scheme. Following the Burlington Northern merger, the cars served briefly in the new Cascade Green and white scheme, which was used until passenger operations were turned over to Amtrak in 1971. By that time however, most of the mail contracts with railroads had already been terminated.
932-9032 ACF Baggage-Mail #37-42
932-9035 ACF Baggage-Dormitory #1200-1205
932-9031 ACF 60-Seat Coach #1209-1214
932-9039 Budd 48-Seat Vista Dome Coach #1320-1335
932-9034 ACF Ranch Coffee Shop Lounge #1240-1245 ("...Lake" Series)
932-9037 ACF 36-Seat "Lake" Series Diner
932-9040 Budd Great Dome "...View" Series Lounge #1390-95
932-9033 P-S "River" Series 7-4-3-1 Sleeper
932-9036 P-S "Pass" Series 6-5-2 Sleeper
932-9038 "Coulee" Series 6-4-1 Observation
PLEASE NOTE: As these cars are the correct prototype length and feature full underbody detail to match the prototypes, a minimum 24" radius is recommended for operation.
PROTO 2000 GN EMD F7 DIESELS:
920-40587 A-B Set w/Sound & DCC
920-40589 A-B Set Standard DC
920-40588 A Only w/Sound & DCC
920-40590 A Only Standard DC
For more details about Walthers Empire Builder series, click here.
* Second in 10-Car Series * Completely New Car * Superbly Detailed Inside & Out * Authentic Paint & Lettering * Car Name & Number Decals * Correct Truck Sideframes * Metal RP-25 Wheels * Factory-installed Electrical Pickups * Easy DC or DCC Interior Lighting Installation * Working Diaphragms * Knuckle Couplers
Although never occupied by the traveling public, the Railway Post Office (RPO) cars on the Empire Builder were some of the most important on every run. Revenues from mail and express helped pay the bills, so RPOs #37-42 were ordered from American Car & Foundry in 1951. These 85'-long cars had 60' of space devoted to the postal apartment - twice the space of the 1947-built cars they replaced - where mail was picked up, sorted and delivered enroute. The remaining space was used for checked baggage and priority express shipments. The cars were still in service in 1967 when GN introduced its striking Big Sky Blue and white scheme. Following the Burlington Northern merger, the cars served briefly in the new Cascade Green and white scheme, which was used until passenger operations were turned over to Amtrak in 1971. By that time however, most of the mail contracts with railroads had already been terminated.