Union Pacific Clerestory-Roof Heavyweight Cars

Regarding the Walthers HW coach as a stand in for a UP coach, I'll add the following:

"It appears that UP coaches of class 422-435 were modified in 1930 into various forms including coach-dormitory 2780 [ from 422 ] and coach-sleeper 2782 [ from 425 ] [ 6 sections ]. The strange aspect of these two cars is that the 1941 diagram shows them not only to have the same window pattern as in the coach form but, also, to now have 4 door/step configurations as one generally sees with a coach. Prior to conversion, the diagram indicates a storage locker and no door/steps in one location. A photo confirms this. Fortunately, the car in the 2780/2782 form is quite close to the Walthers HW coach. In 1941, both 2780 and 2782 have NO AC ductwork. Other car conversions were 423 to 2781 [chair-sleeper with a different window pattern ], 424 streamlined to coach 525 in 1950, 426-427 streamlined to coaches 526 and 527, 428 converted to coach-dorm 2783 [ with a different window pattern, 6 sections ], 429 streamlined to coach 528 in 1950, 430, 431 converted to coach-dorm 2784, 2785 [ different window pattern, 8 sections ], 432 not changed, 433,434 streamlined to coaches 529 and 530 in 1950 and 435 converted to coach-dorm 2786 [ different window pattern, 8 sections ].

"I don't know what additional modifications may have occurred on these cars after the dates given."

So, cars 432, 424, 426, 427, 429, 433 and 434 were still in heavyweight coach appearance through 1949. During 1950 changes to all but 432 occurred. The appearance of these cars prior to 1950, unfortunately, includes an AC duct on one side of the clerestory and, interestingly, the door on the left end of the side as one faces the side with the AC duct does not include steps. It appears to be plated over and inside there is a locker present. So...if one is clever and can arrange things so the non AC side never shows...the Walthers car is quite close to UP cars as mentioned above. If one is not clever enough, adding the AC duct, plating the door and removing the steps is a fairly simple alternative.

Comparing the 2006-release of the Walthers heavyweight diner, with the UP 1941 diagrams, the UP cars in 1941 that seem to be fairly close are:

The right side is defined in this analysis as the side with the kitchen to the left.

1. Cars 3602, 3603, 3604. These cars have AC ducts on both sides. The ductwork begins at the leftmost large window...as is the case with the Walthers model. There is a longer gap between the leftmost 2 and third small windows on the Walthers car as shown on their website.

2. Diner Coffee Shop cars 3668, 3669, 3671 and 3631 and 3634 have an AC duct only on the left side. Hence, it does not work well for the Walthers car with an AC duct showing on the right side.

3. Diners 3600-3601, 3676-3682, 3683-3688, 3693-3696 and 3690-3692 all have...in 1941...an AC duct on the left side only.

4. Diners 3605-3614 have AC ducts on both sides. The ducts, however, begin to the right of the first large windows.

5. Diners 3615-3624 have AC ducts only on the left side.

6. Diners 3625-3629 have AC ducts on both sides...slightly to the right of the large windows.

7. Diners 3667, 3670, 3672, and 3674 have the AC duct in the clerestory.

In all cases, the gap between the 2nd from the left and third kitchen windows on the right side is larger on the Walthers model.