| This beautiful silver fluted car was built by the Budd Company in 1948 for the Burlington Railroad as a dome coach car on the California Zephyr. When the California Zephyr route was first introduced, the Silver Lariat’s priority was for woman and children meaning that unescorted ladies and mothers with young children occupied the forward end of the car where the mural is located. The mural was painted by Mary Louise Lawser in 1948. Titled Pony Express, it is one of the very few original California Zephyr murals extant. The car remained on the California Zephyr for 22 years until discontinued in 1970. It is now in private ownership after its purchase from Amtrak. |