WP 106

 

Western Pacific 106

"Pioneer"

 

 

Type:  Business-Observation Car

Train: 

Builder:  Pullman Company

Build Date:  1917

Acquired: 

Status:  Operational

 

 

 

  Hiding in plain view at the WPRM, this old Pullman is probably the most famous single passenger car from the Western Pacific Railroad and, for a time during the 1950's, was one of the most famous railroad cars in the western United States when it helped gather the blood that saved the lives of countless soldiers wounded in the Korean War.

The Western Pacific Railroad Museum at Portola hosted a celebration of the Sweetwood, Charles himself and the legacy of the car at the museum on September 9th. The rededication ceremony was modeled after the ceremonies marking its entry into blood service held at Oakland and Elko in 1951. September 11, 2017 was the 100th anniversary of the car entering service.

Jump to event news page for more information about the rededication.

View a slideshow of the history of the WP106 (as an Adobe pdf file. This is a big file so it takes some time to download.)

WP 106

WP 106 - photo by Mike Mucklin

WP 106

WP 106 - photo by Michael Clawson

WP 106

WP 106 - photo by Michael Clawson

WP 106

WP 106 - photo by Michael Clawson

WP 106

WP 106 - photo by Michael Clawson

WP 106

WP 106 - photo by Paul Finnegan

WP 106

WP 106 - photo by Paul Finnegan

WP 106

WP 106 - photo by Paul Finnegan

WP 106

WP 106 - photo by Paul Finnegan

 
Links to Train Sheet articles about WP 106:
Train Sheet #176, Page 12:  Re-Dedication of the "Charles O. Sweetwood" - Eugene Vicknair
Train Sheet #174, Page 12:  Julia Rigutto Pagan Visit
Train Sheet #105, Page 1:  History of the Pullman Business-Observation Car WP 106
Train Sheet #046, Page 4:  Arrivals & Departures Nov/Dec 1990
Other reference:  WP_106_Sweetwood, Page 1:  WP 106 Sweetwood Sign


The Western Pacific HEADLIGHT articles about WP 106:
Headlight # 5, Page 6:  Western Pacific Business Car #106