The "Dance Car"

For a very short time ago the "dance car" was switched into the regular consist. The dance car is used for the Blues Train & other special events. It is basically a gondola with the seats removed. I thought this was a great idea as it allowed coach passengers an a chance to take unobstructed photographs. I can think of a number of reasons why somebody would rather ride inside due to health, age, wives, smoke or just not wanting to sit outside in the weather for seven hours. When it comes to photographs the coach passenger has the unwelcome choices of being shooed out either the vestibules or the aisles of the open gondola or having a highly obstructed photograph (wives kids etc) from their coach seats. There are the open doors of the concession car but it is sometimes crowded and it is unlikely that a first (&only) time passenger would think of this choice. When I have mentioned the dance car as a regular choice I get blank stares and "we can't afford to haul nonrevenue cars".

Husker Hank
Durango CO