Virginia City Rail Charter Corner

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This is only a history of our flagship car the Virginia City. Though the Virginia City is only one of the railcars we offer, it is our namesake and therefore we find it fitting that we should provide a detailed account of its history. To learn about the other railcars available through Virginia City Corporation please click on the “ Tour the Cars ” link. The Pullman Years 1928 - 1954 The Virginia City was originally built by Pullman Standard Company in 1928, and was first christened as the Crystal Peak. Originally, the car was designed as an open platform, observation-lounge car with sleeping accommodations for ten, complete with a ladies, lounge and shower. It was first assigned to the Overland Limited which ran between Oakland and Chicago. In 1936 the car was removed from service and air conditioning was added and the interior was updated. In 1938 the car was renamed the Golden Peak. From that time until the beginning of World War II, she served passengers on the Golden State Limited. During World War II, the car was removed from service. After the war, she returned again and ran on the Empire Builder for a brief time. In 1950, the Golden Peak was still listed as a Pullman-owned pool service car, and was available for charter and later, for purchase. The Bebee Years 1954 - 1984 In 1954, Lucius Beebe and his partner Charles Clegg, purchased the Golden Peak directly from Pullman Company's Calumet Shops for $5,000. From this point, the car was moved to the shops of the Western Pacific in Sacramento, CA, where she was reconfigured and mechanically overhauled. As part of the reconfiguration process, two of the sleeping compartments were removed to make room for the dining room; the ladies, lounge and shower then became the car's kitchen and crew's quarters. Charles Clegg hired his long time friend Robert Hanley, a Hollywood set designer (known for designing the sets of, "Auntie Mame") to redecorate the car's interior into the style now referred to as "Venetian Renaissance Baroque." Hanley purchased approximately $375,000 in antique furnishings. When completed, the Virginia City became the most lavish and expensively outfitted car in the United States. The parlor of the car is an unbelievable site, it has been richly decorated in furnishings imported from Venice, Italy, and other European cities. Two Murano glass chandeliers light the parlor, and between them is a painted reproduction from the Sistine Chapel. Heavy gold silk draperies hang over brass framed windows with mahogany sashes and sills. Richly upholstered furnishings, including a curved brocaded velvet sofa, offer a comfortable place to sit for weary travelers, and all but hide the beautiful wood parquet paneling that was original to the car as the Crystal Peak. A solid marble gas log fireplace cannot escape your gaze, and conjures up visions of evenings spent in the company of the rich and famous. Atop the fireplace are two cornices which were originally from a 14th Century altar in Spain, and above that hangs a mirror which dates back to the late 18th century. To the right of the fireplace is a fully stocked wet bar.

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