Cimarron River History
CIMARRON RIVER is a privately owned 1948 Pullman sleeping car which has been renovated with modern heating, electrical and air conditioning systems while retaining the charm and ambiance of 1940's railroad travel. It sleeps 20 people-1 person in each of 12 roomettes and 2 people in each of 4 bedrooms, which have two bunk beds. The beds all fold into the walls to provide comfortable seating during the day. Each compartment has a fold away sink. There is a shower and six retention toilets. A small galley/bar service area is at one end. The car is certified and inspected to run on Amtrak trains and has its own 30KW diesel generator for trips off the Amtrak system. CIMARRON RIVER (original #1466) was built by Pullman Standard in 1948 as a 14 roomette-4 double bedroom sleeper for the Frisco Railway's streamlined "Meteor". The "Meteor" ran from St. Louis Union Station to Oklahoma and had through sleepers to Chicago, New York and Washington. The sleepers were all named for rivers along the train's route. The Frisco substantially reduced their passenger system 1965 and the CIMARRON RIVER and other sleepers were sold to the Canadian National Railway. The Canadian National rebuilt the car, removed the stainless steel fluted siding and renamed the car RAINBOW FALLS. The interior configuration was not changed. VIA Rail Canada assumed ownership of the car in the late 1970's and repainted it blue. In 1981, VIA discontinued many trains and RAINBOW FALLS was surplus to their needs. In June 1983, two brothers, Andy and Tony Marchiando, bought the car from VIA. The car was returned home to St. Louis and renovation work began. The exterior is now repainted in the original colors and lettering.
The first trip of the renovated CIMARRON RIVER was in October 1986. Since then, the car has traveled over 500,000 miles, in 48 states, and behind a variety of diesel, steam and electric locomotives. It has traveled north to Canada's Northwest Territories, to the southern border of Mexico and into Guatemala-the extreme north and south ends of the continuous standard gauge North American rail network. The car is available for charter behind Amtrak trains or in special trains off the Amtrak system. Meteor Rail also operates occasional trips for those who enjoy train riding.
For further information or to get on our mailing list, please contact us.
The first trip of the renovated CIMARRON RIVER was in October 1986. Since then, the car has traveled over 500,000 miles, in 48 states, and behind a variety of diesel, steam and electric locomotives. It has traveled north to Canada's Northwest Territories, to the southern border of Mexico and into Guatemala-the extreme north and south ends of the continuous standard gauge North American rail network. The car is available for charter behind Amtrak trains or in special trains off the Amtrak system. Meteor Rail also operates occasional trips for those who enjoy train riding.
For further information or to get on our mailing list, please contact us.