The True Survivors - Missouri Pacific Equipment

Here's an invite from Jim Stephenson to drop by and see his car, T&P car #1. We've included something on his restoration with interior shots. If you visit him keep our web site in mind and perhaps for the non-web connected guys an article in the Eagle would be nice was well

- Charlie Duckworth

Houston, Texas

T&P #1 gets a facelift - Jim Stephenson photo

Texas & Pacific Business Car #1

HB&T aka Milby St. Roundhouse

"I own the T&P business car #1/ ex-MP #9 (not to be confused with car #2 which became MP #10 which now calls Sacramento home as UP #103). On my car, which is stored here in Houston at the old HB&T roundhouse aka Milby St., say good-bye to Jenks blue. I am painting the car back into "Eagle" colors. I hope to have the car painted by spring, unfortunately the car is stored outside and I have to work according to the weather. This was the MP business car that was stored for over 20 years in a shed in Belton Texas. I brought the car up to interchange conditions during the summer and moved it down on the UP. My plans are to have it up to Amtrak standards by fall of 2003 and running Houston to New Orleans as a first trip.

"The interior does not require any work at all. I do need all new windows and mechanical systems. I also own the Santa Fe sleeper "Pine Grove" and a CSX presentation car. Both cars will be joining car #1 soon. The CSX car will eventually be painted in eagle colors as well and serve as a daytime support car for the business car. For now the CSX car will serve as office and work room for the business car.

Currently, the car is still in Jenks blue. The roof is in primer grey, and will be painted in Imron Grey soon. All rot has been removed and repaired. The 2 roof leaks have been repaired. For 20 years water cascaded down on the extreme kitchen end. This caused a large area in the end sheet and bottom of the door to rot off. Water is like acid, it will find a way out. I have to be extreme on the paint project right now so that the structure is preserved -- Just like a house must have a good roof. So far I have over 300 labor hours in just the roof. Next will be the foundation or trucks. Seems the kitchen end has sustained some unusual punishment and definitely has some broken springs and bent parts.

The rotten door is going to be replaced with a MP porthole door off of a MP sleeper scrapped in Galveston many years ago. I am making arrangements with the Union Pacific to gain permission to apply the T&P name and logo to the car. Although not authentic, I would like to put the T&P diamond at the center line of the car, on both sides (where the MP buzzsaw was). The car will not be named but rather go by the simple number 1. I already have the drumhead rebuild with the T&P diamond. Again not authentic but rather dramatic, the T&P diamond backlit in a stainless steel drumhead. The original drumhead was removed by the MP when they changed the ironwork on the platform. The drumhead was not lit but was a bronze plack that was bolted to the rear gate.

The public is not invited to the property, since this is an active rail terminal, however in the future, should the MPHS sponsor a fund raising event, I will gladly supply my car to assist your endeavor. If someone from the organization would like to come visit the project and take pictures, I will gladly arrange for a meeting.

The interior is all original and beautiful, truly a work of art. This car was stationed in Ft. Worth for many years, Houston, and during the late 60's used by a Mr. M. L. Smith VP of Operations for the MP out of Marshall. It spent many years traveling on train # 23 between New Orleans and Marshall.

If you know of anyone that might have some color photos or any photos of the car while in service, storage or on the rear of any train, I sure would appreciate the information. I would like to have photos of the car on display inside.

The last official brake job on the car was done in 1974 at HB&T Milby St. how ironic! Thanks for your interest, please come visit me and my car. Drop me an email to arrange a visit sometime.

- Jim Stephenson

- Jim Stephenson photo

Restoration Update - July 2003
We removed the semi-permanent crews lower bed. I plan to put back in a full lower section. When removed I found old maps of the MP along w/ orders to the carÕs crew in proper etiquette. I also found 2 full dry chemical cans Òfor extinguishing hot box firesÓ labeled for both the MP & TP. My guess is that they kept this on stand-by in case of a grease fire in the kitchen.

The exterior paint job is nearly complete and soon we will begin the mechanical upgrade. Windows are being replaced 1 per day. All window jams and sills will have to be restored due to age and abuse.

Since this photo (at right) was taken, we have sanded with 1500 grit paper and clear coated the entire car body. Now it looks like an automotive finish.

- Jim Stephenson

T&P #1 before restoration work began - Jim Stephenson photo