The Plaza Santa Fe was built by Pullman in 1950 as Pleasure Dome-Turquoise Dining Room (a favorite of film stars and other notables) - bar lounge 503 for the Santa Fe's premier "Super Chief" streamliner. It was acquired by Amtrak in 1971 and renumbered to 9353. California Rail Tours, who added the car's originally intended Plaza Santa Fe name, has owned this dome car since 1986.

The Plaza Santa Fe features a glass domed observation deck, with large swiveling chairs. Downstairs are two lounge areas with a full bar and an elegant dining room. Every seat is adjacent to a picture window to insure that all passengers have an unparalleled view of the world as it quietly glides by.