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RAIL: PASSENGER
1940
Missouri Pacific Eagle Parlor – Observation Lounge #750
American Car & Foundry
Lounge parlor car
The M0PAC Eagle Parlor-Observation car #750 was built by American Car & Foundry as a lightweight aluminum body lounge. The car was part of the first Eagle passenger train and is one of two in the world. One of its claims to fame was its use by Harry S. Truman when he was Senator, Vice President and as retired President. The MoPac's fleet became known as Eagles and have their beginnings thanks to the railroad's first such train known simply as the Eagle. Number 750 was part of the Missouri River Eagle, which served St. Louis, Kansas City, and Omaha. This Eagle train was inaugurated March 10, 1940 between St. Louis and Omaha.
The MoPAC railroad was the first to be built west of the Mississippi River and would eventually come under the Jay Gould Empire, who owned scores of railroads in the 19th century. The railroad is also well remembered for its beautiful paint scheme of blue and gray with an eagle adorning the flanks of locomotives.
Restoration began June of 2008 and completed with a ribbon-cutting in 2010. To help with the cost of restoration the Museum and the St. Louis NRHS chapter applied for and received a $3,800 grant from The National Railway Historical Society. Hear more here.
