that's the wrong D&RG combo in Calif.

There are two D&RG standard gauge combos in California. The one that was once used by the Western Pacific is at California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento. One that was later owned by M-G-M studios is at Orange Empire Railway Museum in Perris.
According to Dunscomb and Stindt in "Western Pacific Steam Locomotives, Passenger Trains and Cars" the car at CSRM was org. built in 1888 by Pullman as Coach 812. Then 2nd class coach #900 in 1890. Rebuilt to bag-coach-mail #707 in 1905; renumbered #550 1911. They note that the car saw service on the Farmington branch. The car was sold to WP Dec 29 1924 for $3,300; the car was numbered WP #402 in Feb 1925. Later in 1937 it got steel center sills. Car was kept by WP for years at the recommendation of Gilbert Kneisss (Railfan PR man on the WP). It was donated to Pacific Coast Chapter of R&LHS in 1964. Then in time to CSRM.
Orange Empire has former D&RG #552. I believe that Steve Peck's book has a photo of the car running on the Aspen Branch. The car was sold to Lowe's Inc. (M-G-M studios) in May 1945. One of our members bought the car (to donate it) at the M-G-M back-lot auction in the early 1970's; he later donated the car to the museum. The car was built for the Rio Grande Western in 1891 as a combo. I will try to remember to look up the file on the car next time I'm at the museum and post any additional information -- I recall that we got a copy of the car history from Mr. Thode.
Brian Norden
past-chair OERM board of directors.