Vista dome
Adult $57.95/Child (0-12) $46.50

Enjoy the breathtaking views from a classic glass-topped dome car and enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by our chef (optional)

history of the domeliners

From the years immediately following World War II and continuing through the mid 1950s, American railroads embarked on one of the most ambitious, all encompassing and expensive re-equipment programs in the history of any industry. Passenger numbers were sagging and travel by rail was losing it’s luster. In an effort to compete with airplanes and automobiles, the railroads purchased thousands of the most comfortable, luxurious and modern rail passenger cars ever designed from Companies such as: American Car and Foundry, the Edward G. Budd Company and Pullman Standard. The result was the most magnificent and opulent fleet of streamliners and domeliners to ever run on the rails. Domes and the cruiseliner concept added a new dimension to overland travel, transforming "getting there" into a destination in itself. Unfortunately, in the longer term, this massive investment proved no match for indirectly taxpayer subsidized competition, first from the airlines and later from the Interstate Highway System. With the railroads facing financial ruin, most of the trains began losing their luster by the mid 1960s. Within a few years a grand era was gone forever.

Now, on the Royal Gorge Route Railroad, passengers can once again experience travel in classic observation domes. For questions about accessibility of the train and its different classes please call the reservations department at 888-724-5748 prior to booking a reservation on our web site.

Please note that our tables seat parties of 4. When seated with another couple, you and your guest will be seated on the same side of the table. Larger groups will be seated at adjacent tables.

royal gorge route dome cars:

The 1950 built Pullman Standard Super Dome car, #50 – Currently named the “Kenai” a/k/a:
• Ex Amtrak 9310
• Ex Tour Alaska/Princess TAIX 7092 – Mt. Foraker
• VIA 2700
• Ex CN 2400 – Jasper
• Ex MILW 50

History of the #50:

• 1951 - Ordered by the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, more commonly known as the Milwaukee Road, from the Pullman Standard Company for delivery in 1952. This car was the first full length dome ever built. During testing at the Pullman Standard plant in 1952 the car is wrecked and burns.
• 1953 - Remanufactured/replacement car is the last one delivered after the 9 identical cars following it on the production line have already entered service.
• Original car had 68 forward facing seats in the dome and a 28 seat cafe on the lower level. Car was built for service on the "Olympian Hiawatha" from Chicago to Seattle/Tacoma and on the "Morning" or "Afternoon Hiawathas" between Chicago and Twin Cities.

• 1958/1961 - The various Hiawathas are combined east of Minneapolis and then the "Olympian Hiawatha" is canceled. The car and five of its mates become surplus to actual needs and serve on various short haul routes in the Midwest.

• 1964 - The six surplus cars are sold to Canadian National Railway for service on the "Super Continental and "Panorama" for service between Winnipeg or Edmonton and Vancouver. Car is renumbered 2400 and named "Jasper".

• 1974 - Car is transferred to "VIA" (Canada's version of Amtrak), renumbered 2700 and reseated to a 29 seat coach and 27 seat lounge in the dome.

• 1982 - Retired from service due to deteriorating condition the cars are sold to a Winnipeg metal recycler.

• 1983 - Car is purchased by a startup tour operator for service in Alaska

• 1989 - Car is rebuilt for service behind Amtrak's "Coast Starligh" as the privately run "California Sun Express". Car is acquired by Amtrak in 1990 after service folds due to poor ridership.

• 1990 - Amtrak introduces the car on its premier "Auto Train" service between Lorton, VA and Sanford, FL. as a dome diner, renumbered as #9310.

• 1995 - Amtrak begins to replace its "Auto Train" consists with new equipment. Car is sold at auction to Holland America on November 17, 1995. Car begins trip to West right after Christmas.

• 1996- January, car arrives in Forest Grove, Oregon for storage. In March the decision was made to refurbish car for 1996 due to delay in getting car #1394 from Burlington Northern. Refurbishment cost is $425,000. June 6 car leaves for Alaska. June 1996 : first Anchorage-Denali-Fairbanks revenue trip.

• 2005 - Car purchased by Royal Gorge Route Railroad for trips through the Royal Gorge.

A 1950 built Pullman Standard Super Dome car, #56 – Currently named the “Knik” a/k/a:
• Ex Amtrak 9312
• Ex Tour Alaska/Princess TAIX 7091 – Mt. Susitna
• Ex VIA 2703
• Ex CN 2403 – Fraser
• Ex MILW 56

History of the #56:

• 1951 - Ordered by the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, more commonly known as the Milwaukee Road, from the Pullman Standard Company for delivery in 1952.
• 1952 - Delivered in December the car officially begins service January 1, 1953.

Original car had 68 forward facing seats in the dome and a 28 seat cafe on the lower level. Car was built for service on the "Olympian Hiawatha" from Chicago to Seattle/Tacoma and on the "Morning" or "Afternoon Hiawathas" between Chicago and Twin Cities.

• 1958/1961 - The various Hiawathas are combined east of Minneapolis and then the "Olympian Hiawatha" is canceled. The car and five of its mates become surplus to actual needs and serve on various short haul routes in the Midwest.
• 1964 - The six surplus cars are sold to Canadian National Railway for service on the "Super Continental" and "Panoramafor service between Winnipeg or Edmonton and Vancouver. Car is renumbered 2403 and named "Fraser".
• 1974 - Car is transferred to "VIA" (Canada's version of Amtrak), renumbered 2703 and reseated to a 29 seat coach and 27 seat lounge in the dome.
• 1982 - Retired from service due to deteriorating condition the cars are sold to a Winnipeg metal recycler.
• 1983 - Car is purchased by a startup tour operator for service in Alaska
• 1989 - Car is rebuilt for service behind Amtrak's "Coast Starlight" as the privately run "California Sun Express". Car is acquired by Amtrak in 1990 after service folds due to poor ridership.
• 1990 - Amtrak introduces the car on its premier "Auto Train" service between Lorton, VA and Sanford, FL. as a dome diner, renumbered as #9312.
• 1995 - Amtrak begins to replace its "Auto Train" consists with new equipment. Car is sold at auction to Holland America on November 17, 1995. Car begins trip to West right after Christmas.
• 1996 - January, car arrives in Tillamook, Oregon for refurbishment. In February the tracks to Tillamook are washed out by flooding. Tracks open day before car leaves for Alaska. Refurbishment cost is $424,000. May 16 car leaves for Alaska. June 1996 : first Anchorage-Denali-Fairbanks revenue trip.
• 2005 - Car purchased by Royal Gorge Route Railroad for trips through the Royal Gorge.

A 1953 built Budd Full Dome car, #507 – Currently named the “Susitna” a/k/a:
• Amtrak Private Car #800153
• Ex Autotrain 540
• Ex Santa Fe 507

History of the #507:

• 1952 - Ordered by the AT&SF from the Budd Company.
• 1954 - Delivered between January and March to the AT&SF.

Original car had 57 forward facing seats and 18 lounge seats in the dome and a 28 seat lounge, bar and traveling nurse's station on the lower level. Car was used for service on AT&SF's El Capitan, Chicagoan, and Kansas Cityan.

• 1956 - Car was reassigned to the Chief when the El Capitan was reequipped with new "high level" cars.
• 1968 - Chief was discontinued and the car was assigned to the Texas Chief before being reassigned to the San Francisco Chief.
• 1971 - AT&SF to cease passenger service with the start of Amtrak. AT&SF and Amtrak have difficulty reaching agreement on value of the Santa Fe fleet of cars. Privately operated Auto-Train acquires car to operate Lorton, VA. to Sanford, FL. Converted to a 52 seat lounge with piano bar on the dome level and a 24 seat lounge on the lower level. Nurses' room converted to restores.

• 1981 - Acquired by a Roy Thorpe at the Auto-Train bankruptcy auction. Moved to Pompano Beach, FL. for storage.
• 1986 - October, acquisition attempted by Westours. Turned down.
• 1987 - June, Roy Thorpe calls and offers to sell car to Westours. Car purchased and moved to Renton, Washington and then Tillamook, Oregon for storage pending rebuild.
• 1988 - September, work starts on rebuilding car for 1989 season. Rebuild Cost is $580,000 not including the cost of the car shell.
• 1989 - May 8 , car leaves Tillamook by rail to Seattle and then, on May 12, by rail barge to Seward/Anchorage. May 26 - car leaves on first Anchorage-Denali-Fairbanks trip.
• 1994 - Car shipped to Tillamook for refurbishment, new air conditioning and electrical at end of season. $474,000 spent in refurbishment.
• 1995 - Refurbished car returns to Alaska.
• 2005 - Car purchased by Royal Gorge Route Railroad for trips through the Royal Gorge.