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. The four distinctly different lamps represent the four
corners of the earth: Asia,Greece,Africa, and the Pacific South Seas.The
writing desk has been recently restored, and probably provided a comfortable
place for Mr. Beebe from which he penned many a newspaper column for the
San Francisco Chronicle, New Yorker Magazine, and occasionally a review
for Gourmet Magazine. The bookshelves feature several of Mr. Beebe's and
Mr. Clegg's writings -- both collaboratively and separately. It is through
these books and their extensive writings that most people have learned
of Beebe and Clegg.
It is also noted that
Hanley was responsible for the creation of the interior of Bebee's and
Clegg's first private rail car, the "Gold Coast", which is now on permanent
display at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, California.
Between 1955
and the time of Beebe's death in 1966, the Virginia City routinely made
cross country trips to various destinations including Miami, New York City,
Chicago, New Orleans, and Denver. After Beebe's death, his partner Charles
Clegg inherited the bulk of his estate including the Virginia City. In
1976, Clegg reluctantly put the car up for sale. For many years the car
sat idle in San Francisco facing an uncertain fate. In 1979, Charles Clegg
passed away, and his sister, Ann-Clegg Holloway became Executrix of his
estate.You can learn more about Lucius Beebe at the Wakefield
Public Library.
The Birth of Virginia City Rail Corp 1984
The Virginia
City was purchased from the Charles Clegg estate by Wade Pellizzer on August
21st, 1984. He has since made every effort possible to restore the car
to its original 1955 condition; it is because of Wade Pellizzer that our
passengers are able to enjoy Lucius Beebe and Charles Clegg’s
Virginia City, and not a more modernized version of the car. Many of today’s
Private rail cars have been re-modeled to reflect their current owner’s
visions detracting from the historical and nostalgic appeal of the cars.
Virginia City Rail Corporation is committed to preserving this icon of
“Private Varnish”, as a testament to the Golden Era
of railroading.
While the Virginia
Cities interior has been preserved to the standards of its creators, its
mechanical components have been completely upgraded. These upgrades do
not detract from the historic value of the car but does give it the ability
to safely couple and travel with Amtrak passenger trains. This ability
makes it possible for our customers to travel along Amtrak passenger routes,
giving us the freedom to explore the countries coastlines and interior
wildernesses. Making the Virginia City “sea worthy”,
so to speak, was one of the primary reasons the car was acquired and restored.
We realize that private rail charters can be an expensive undertaking therefore
Virginia City Rail Corporation offers many fun and exciting alternative
packages to its customers.
Today the Virginia
City Rail Corporation makes it possible to experience the Virginia City
in a variety of ways. We strive to make private railcar experiences as
accessible and exciting as possible. Whether you’re touring the
rails in grand style, or hosting a private event at our waterfront stationary
facility, gaining access to historic landmarks like the Virginia City has
never been easier. Though the Virginia City will always be the flagship
of our fleet, we are proud to provide our customers with the opportunity
to explore many other private railcars. Please click on the “Tour
the Cars” link to see a comprehensive listing of the railcars
we offer. Also be sure to look at the different services we offer, they
can be found under the “Charter” link. Thank you for
taking the time to learn about the Virginia City, we hope this information
has cultivated a deeper interest and appreciation of this monument of Private
Varnish.
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Virginia City Rail Car Copyright © 2005-2015 |