Pride of the Northern Pacific Railway, the eastbound vista-domed North Coast Limited, Train # 26 is drifting down the Yakima River Valley near Easton, Washington.  This 1962 shot was taken from an open vestibule by the late great photographer Jim Fredrickson.  The nose of the leading unit is under the Milwaukee’s line crossing to the other side of the river.  In less than a mile it will bridge back to this side of the river.

The NCL left Seattle at 2:45 PM and has tunneled under Stampede Pass and descended into the scenic valley.  It will follow the river for over a hundred miles, and will slip into Chicago Union Station the second afternoon out.  

So, if this is the center-piece of the NP’s passenger fleet, why didn’t they paint the third car..?  That car is a Slumbercoach, sort of a mini-Pullman, but not a Pullman requiring first-class ticket. Rather, the budget-minded sleeper was available for a reasonable price to coach-class passengers.  Imagine 24 single and 8 double rooms, with sinks and toilets in each room, all put into less than 850 square feet of railcar.  Accommodations were tight, but you had your privacy, a bed, your own bathroom for a decent price.  Justine and I travelled to Butte in 1969 on a house search utilizing the NCL and a double Slumbercoach.  Very adequate.

The stainless-steel Budd-built cars were left unpainted so they would stand out prominently. Sort of a “look what we have – that you don’t,” to the other railroads.  Slumbercoach space was sold-out more often than not.  Amtrak?? Take note.