Much confusion and a long history regarding the terms Bilevel, Hi-Level, Double-Decker, Duplex and Gallery prevails but all those tags refer to passenger cars with two levels. References into this subject state that this concept was experimentally tested in France in the 19th century. Interest in the US was tepid ironically until the bleakest periods of the American economy, The Great Depression. While the earliest versions facilitated daylight coach travel, the first US entry into the field of two-level passenger cars was pitched to first-class, overnight travel.
In 1933 the Pullman Company rebuilt two standard Pullman sleepers into “double decker” cars Eventide and Nocturne. Both featured sixteen, private bedrooms, private lavatory facilities in each bedroom and ice-activated cooling. The beds were the size of a standard lower berth and were positioned lengthwise within the car body, ensuring a more comfortable sleep. A November 5, 1933 news article stated that the cars were assigned to a Pennsylvania Railroad overnight, Washington to New York train. Reviews were mixed and when confronted about passenger reaction, a Pullman conductor volunteered that passengers seem to prefer the upper rooms, perhaps out of “the public’s habit of going upstairs to bed”. No additional cars of this design were built.
The main feature of the car, potential for increased passenger capacity, did not go unnoticed by the PRR and in the late 1930s, PRR Altoona Shops built a set of self-propelled multiple-unit, double-deck cars for its Long Island Railroad subsidiary. By the 1930s the LIRR was more of a bleeder than feeder and the PRR wanted to increase passenger revenues by using fewer cars that offered greater seating. The first class MP70 were built between 1939 and 1940 followed by an additional 60 cars in 1947 and 1949. The cars were not comfortable and were disliked by commuters.
In 1950 the Burlington built what is considered to be the first new-age gallery, bilevel commuter cars for its Chicago-area commuter lines. But it was the Chicago & North Western that pioneered with the concept of system-wide application of bilevel design. In 1955 St. Louis Car completed 16 bilevel cars for the CNW commuter pool. Management was so impressed they placed repeat order of 32 cars with Pullman-Standard in 1956 for additional commuter cars but also cars with more comfortable interiors for long-distance travel. Included in that were mix were food service and parlor cars. The CNW eventually amassed a fleet of 292 cars – the long-distance cars were later retrofitted for commuter service. The cars were extremely durable and all were sold to the Regional Transit Authority in December, 1977. Santa Fe copied the long-distance application of bilevel design in 1956 with the Hi-Level El Capitan. The Santa Fe car designs later served as a base by Amtrak during early equipment planning.
Passenger exodus and the total lack of a national transportation policy between 1956 and 1971 hampered further development of new, bilevel commuter equipment and the private railroads continued the age-old practice of assigning older, displaced passenger equipment to commuter assignments. Infusion of government subsidies and eventual annexation of government ownership of commuter services prompted a new age of bilevel passenger equipment. Bombardier was an early player starting in the 1970s with advanced concepts for Toronto’s Go Transit and later, adaptions of those designs found popularity in the US including the multi-level coach and double-deck coach; the former are designed for Northeast Corridor operation.
That brief history serves to announce our current promotion of Rapido pre-order Bilevel, Commuter and Gallery cars. Additionally, were currently offer in-stock bilevels and Amtrak Superliners and with most importantly, locomotives to power those trains including F59PH and F40PHM-2. All of those models feature a high-level of design and detail that carry the impressive qualities the unique prototypes. Those options are supported by competitive prices, fast shipping and our popular hold and consolidate option. Take this opportunity to “take the plunge” or upgrade your commuter operations, and add an intriguing element of railroading to your model railroad empire.
Frank Wrabel
Modeltrainstuff.com