How similar were the ACL and SAL 1949 ACF 6DBR-bar-lounge cars? External appearance from what I can see (one side only) looks like the ACL cars had one extra small window near the vestibule on one side. Any other major differences?

-- Paul Bizier (pbizier@prodigy.net), July 11, 2000

Answers

As further information on these cars, the layout of the bedrooms is almost identical in these two sets of cars. This is due to the fact that Pullman determined the sizing and layout of the rooms and strived to make them as identical as possible. The interior differences primarily involve the buffet layout, locations of electrical and storage lockers, lounge arrangement and general toilet arrangement. The SAL cars had a window in the general toilet, while the ACL cars did not. Other differences in the cars relate to different light fixtures, toilet and washbasin manufacturers, etc. Basically, the primary difference is in the roofs. If the car had a corrogated roof-it was a Seaboard car, if it had a flat roof, it was an ACL car.

-- Michael W. Savchak (Savchak @MNR.org), July 13, 2000.

There were differences in the interior and exterior layouts of these cars. As an example, the roofs of the ACL cars were smooth steel, painted black, while the SAL cars had currogated stainless steel roofs to match the Budd built cars in their consists. This was similar to the SAL's Pullman built sleepers in the 1949 order-also had currogated stainless steel roofs. Both ACF and P-S had to purchase the roof panels from Budd Co.

The interior of the ACL cars had a raised section adjacent to the windows.

If you desire, I can send you diagrams of both sets of cars so you can then compare. Send me your snail mail address.

-- Michael W. Savchak (Savchak @MNR.org), July 12, 2000.