Once upon a time, there was a former Spokane Portland & Seattle heavyweight observation car in the parking lot at the former Southern Pacific station in Los Altos, CA. Although the branch serving Los Altos was lifted in 1964, the station is a local landmark and remains today, see attached.

Although a former Western Pacific caboose remains as part of the depot complex and is barely visible at the left of the photo, the SP&S observation car, which was parked on the right in this view, was removed decades ago. Anybody know where it went?

Is this the car you are referring to? It is lettered Southern Pacific, and this article says that is what it is (and that it is now located in Woodside). Wouldn't be the first time a preserved car is disguised and misidentified though. http://robinchapmannews.blogspot.com/20 ... s-its.html

At the time of your photo it was painted SP, for the obvious reason that no one in that area, except railfans, was familiar with SP&S. I seem to recall that it was relettered SP&S before it left. The Ferroequinologist identified it as the 557.