Hello Folks,

I need your help, I'm trying to locate the car that used to be the Norfolk & Western Stadium Seat Observation Car named "Altavista", (N&W 800) this was the light weight sister to the Buena Vista stadium seat Observation that is currently used on the Norfolk Southern Office train. I know the car was sold at auction sometime in the 1980's (I think) and ended up on the Nashville & Eastern RR in Nashville TN (I do know this). I've talked with Staff of the Nashville & Eastern and they recall this car but say it was sold some time ago. Currently I'm awaiting more information from Nashville & Eastern as to whom they might have sold it too but they could not remember off hand.

Picture through this link shows car painted for Nashville & Eastern in June-24-1990.
http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=558843

Is there anyone out there who knows what happened to this car and if it's still with us? Does anyone know where it's at and better yet who or what organization owns it? Your help could contribute to the future of this car, any leads welcome.

Finally I want all to know I stand to gain nothing from this request other than I'm working for the preservation of this car and it would not be for private use or profit! Look forward to hearing from any and all.

Picture of Altavista on the N&W as car number 800, date? not sure but this is the car we are looking for!

Google is your friend:

http://icrr.net/passenger7.htm


Altavista Coach
Coach
Coach
Inspection Car
Inspection Car
Theater Car 1950


R1969

Lot 6844, Plan 7617, Ordered 2/48, Delivered 1950. Built as 44 seat coach. Sold to Wabash 1951. Sold to Norfolk & Western 1964. Rebuilt 1969 as roadway inspection car and renumbered and named. NW sold car to Nashville & Eastern. N&E traded to IC for two GP10's. Still in service for CN.

Became IC 800653, same CN #????

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/rsPict ... ?id=120142

Great updates!
Well I can see that the car did make it over to the Illinois Central, and was last photographed in IC colors in as late as October 2008...

Last photo's I've been able to find of it in service are here:
http://rrpicturearchives.net/rspicture.aspx?id=120142

From the photo's I've been able to track down. With CN taking over IC in 1999 it doesn't look like they absorbed these cars into there office car fleet?
Does CN/IC still have it?
Is it still in the "Lower 48"?
Is this car still in IC colors?
Is the car still active or is the car just used locally or is or could it be considered surplus to CN needs?

With such wonderful responses on my last e-mail I'm excited to see what knowledge is out there on this topic. I welcome any and all information you fill will be helpful, and thank you a head of time for your help.

Looking to see where this car is today and it's present condition, Verify that CN/IC still owns it and if it's currently in service...if so for what and if not what are it's plans.

Google is our friend. Summer 2007:

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=191281&nseq=13

Rob

Thought some readers wouldn't mind re-visiting an older subject... and might like to see the theatre car Altavista yesterday... in New Orleans at NOUPT for the Super Bowl....

Car is painted IC, ( really CN/IC ).. and Amtrak accounting number 800653

Photographs were taken January 31,2013


Dean Levin