The Eagle
Chasm is
a 10 roomette, 6 double bedroom sleeping car built by the Budd Co. in
1949. The car primarily saw service on Missouri Pacific's famous
streamliner Texas Eagle.
The car was acquired by Gulf Coast Chapter NRHS in 2005 through a
purchase from a private owner funded by
donations from museum members. The photo above, taken at Temple,
Texas, by Tom Marsh, shows the car shortly before it was moved to
Houston. Restoration is pending funding.
The Eagle Chasm is an important addition to the Houston Railroad
Museum's
collection, which previously did not feature any significant pieces
from
the Missouri Pacific, one of Texas' most important railroads. In
addition, the car brings its own special history: Eagle Chasm
was the last Missouri Pacific sleeping car to operate on the Texas
Eagle
from Laredo to St. Louis before the discontinuance of the
service.
After Missouri Pacific passenger service ended completely in 1971, the
car was retained by the railroad for business train service. The
car is in original condition, having never served on Amtrak.
The car is seen in service below at San Antonio in a June,
1963, photo by E. L. DeGolyer, Jr. The photo is used here by
permission of DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University, Dallas,
Texas, Ag1982.0232.
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