Re: Purpose of Business Cars?

Those two comments reminded me of a special I did on the Union Pacfic. It was July 1989, and 844 was sent to Omaha from Cheyenne to pull a special dinner train for the big shots for the opening of the new Harriman Despatch Center. We chased for 2 days as 844 pulled freights to Omaha. There was a day off for preparations, and late in the afternoon the transet was brought over to the despatch center. A big metal stair assembly was brought up to the floor of the cab so the big wigs could get in easier. A big bus pulls up and these were mostly Board of Directors, and other dignitaries. Some got off and went into the cab of 844 all dressed up. One such person was the daughter of Bob Hope. Another famous guy was Henry Kissinger, and I was told he never got off the bus. An hour or so later the 844 went to Valley, NE with the train as the folks had a nice dinner on the train. It was the first time 844 ever pulled a train for the Board of Directors. It was example of having a captive audience aboard as well. I remember the train leaving valley with the sun glinting on the train near the end of the day. Then 2 more days of freights followed back to Cheyenne!
Those were the good old days.....oh and no diesels were used on any of those trains!!!
Greg

PS For those interested the footage is in Union Pacific Steam-Volume two on our website and youtube.
[www.gregschollvideo.com]