Although our Pullman passenger car CTVX 90 is receiving the most attention these days with restoration for excursion service, CTVX 1, Mt. Baxter, is reaching a historic milestone this month, its’ one hundredth anniversary. Originally a pool car, it was purchased from Pullman in 1960 by Midwest for $1500. The car was put into service on October 11, 1924 and was one of 20 cars built in Lot 4816, Plan 3521, as a 10 section Observation Buffet Lounge.
As a pool car, Mt. Baxter was originally painted Pullman Green and remained that color until it was repainted Louisville & Nashville Blue sometime during the late 1940’s. The interior was originally walnut graining on steel. During remodeling in 1939 it was repainted to solid colors “R2”, a pastel green, with subsequent re-paintings in 1949, 1952 and 1954. As delivered to Midwest, the interior color was labeled “R10”.
In 1937 Mt. Baxter was rebuilt at Pullman’s Calumet Shop in Chicago to plan 3521-L. The platform was enclosed, and the car became a 10 section Solarium Buffet Lounge. Also at this time air conditioning and application of Pullman 242A six-wheeled cast pedestal trucks were completed.
Mt. Baxter was the first car purchased by Midwest for its’ collection and during 1981-1982 the car’s interior was restored to its’ 1937 appearance through a grant from the William O. and Gertrude Lewis Frohring Foundation. The car underwent heavy exterior and mechanical restoration by MRPS in the late 1990’s prior to being returned to service. Currently another restoration is underway in which rusted steel window columns and steel panels were repaired. This restoration is partially funded through additional grants received over the past few years.
Once the exterior work is completed, the interior will receive a thorough cleaning and the car will be sandblasted and repainted. A suggestion has been made to paint the car to the color scheme it was when received in 1960, L&N Blue. That decision will be up to the Board of Trustees.
