1912 Pullman Car

Wurlitzer Piano

Restored To Original Decor

Dining Room

Beautiful California Poppy China by Syracuse China Company

Clara's Sleeping Quarters

Beautiful Cuban Mohogany Now Extinct

The Bathroom

Servant's Room

Cook Stove

The Kitchen

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Pullman Palace Car Company in Chicago was founded in 1867 to build luxury sleeping cars for the railroads. Pullman's success in this venture dramatically changed rail travel worldwide. The luxuries of a private Pullman Palace Car included chandeliers, electric lighting, advanced heating and air-conditioning systems, complete bath facilities, silk draperies, luxury bedding and elegant furniture. In December of 1912, Clara Baldwin Stocker, eldest daughter of California pioneer E.J. "Lucky" Baldwin, took delivery of a Pullman railcar appropriately named the California. Lucky Baldwin's fortune came from mining shares, real estate, race horses, hotels and the world renowned Santa Anita Race Track. Clara and Anita inherited his fortune and both commissioned private railcars. Clara's car was beautifully decorated in a modern style with cream and gold painted staterooms, rather than the usual dark wood grained walls and ceilings. The railcar must have been an imposing and awe inspiring sight, resplendent in maroon, red, gold leaf striping and lettering with polished brass railings and grab handles. The California was a luxurious suite and can be likened to owning a private jet today. The California, as ordered by Mrs. C.B. Stocker, had a floor plan that was very versatile, spacious and comfortable. It has one double large bedroom and two smaller staterooms for two. The large combination dining and observation room was paneled in elegant Cuban Mahogany and the private rooms were painted in cream and gold. The servant's section, including the passageway, was quarter-sawed native oak, which was dramatically different from the beautiful mahogany used in the family section. Beautiful decorative leaded glass adorned every window in the California, except in the servant's quarters. Original manuscripts, photographs, Pullman build sheets and factory blueprints were used in the restoration of the California by the Nethercutt Collection. Details were faithfully reproduced over a three year period. Today the California appears as it did December 14, 1912. This restoration was dedicated to a more elegant way of life.

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The Clara Baldwin Stocker Home built in 1963 with funds provided in Clara's will is a home for women without support of their families and unable to care for themselves. Today the home does admit men. It is operated by the Stocker family.

1937 Canadian Pacific Royal Hudson Locomotive #2869

1937 Canadian Pacific Royal Hudson Locomotive #2869

The 1937 Canadian Pacific Royal Hudson Locomotive #2869 dubbed "The Silver Bullet" was built by Montreal Locomotive Works and is resplendent in its Royal maroon, gold leaf, gloss black and brushed stainless steel livery, is a testament to the grand era of steam locomotive engineering. The Hudson type is a 4-6-4 wheel arrangement and was a high-speed passenger locomotive with a top speed of 90 mph.The term Royal Hudson refers to a group of semi-streamlined 4-6-4 Hudson steam locomotives owned by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) and built by Montreal Locomotive Works (MLW). In 1939, King George VI allowed the CPR to use the term after Royal Hudson number 2850 transported the royal train across Canada with no need of replacement. These locomotives were in service between 1937 and 1960. Four of them have been preserved, and one is used for excursion service in British Columbia Royal Hudson 2839, once destined for a museum in eastern Canada, wound up being sold to a group of owners in Pennsylvania. After a restoration to full working order to full CPR livery (with Southern lettering), the engine was leased to the Southern Railway for their steam excursion program in 1979–1980, but was found that the locomotive was not powerful enough for their excursions. During her brief career with the Southern, 2839 earned the nickname "beer can" due to the Royal Hudson's Cylindrical streamlined design. After being returned from the Southern, the engine was stored on Blue Mountain and Reading Railroad before being stored near Allentown, PA. The Blue Mountain and Reading Railroad attempted to restore and run her on excursions, but ultimately #2839 was sold. After a series of owners, the engine was shipped on a flat car from Pennsylvania to the Nethercutt Collection in Sylmar, California, where it has been cosmetically restored and put on display outside the museum with a Pullman car.

Tomorrow I will post photos of the 1912 Pullman Car.

Nethercutt Museum

Rows and Rows of Autos In Pristine Condition The Only Car I Could Remember Being Driven. It is a 1955 Packard.

Click on Photo To Enlarge 
To Read Information Card.

Nethercutt Museum

Anyone who has any interest in history of transportation should put the Nethercutt Museum on their list of things to see before they meet St. Peter. All of the cars are in a glistening restored original condition and all are in running condition. The cars are never sold but occasionally used in The Rose Bowl Parade for The Grand Marshall.

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I did not have my camera with me when we entered the Grand Salon, the beautifully appointed room with the most fantastic and the rarest collection of J.B. Nethercutt. A camera flash interferes with the security cameras so we were asked no cameras with flash. I have previously shut off my camera's flash and on occasion it continues to flash. I did want to respect the house rules.

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Several of the cars were entered in the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance car contest and needless to say were 1st place winners.

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The museums contains the collections of J.B. Nethercutt, the nephew of Merle Norman and his wife. The collections in the museums are the automobiles, hood ornaments, fire trucks, musical instruments, dolls, and so much more. One floor of the museum called "The Grand Salon" is a duplicate of a automobile showroom dating back to the 1920's and 30's.

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I would like to add that if you should go to visit the museum, also add L'Affair Cafe, 11024 Sepulveda Blvd. Mission Hills, CA 91345 which is a wonderful French Bistro with freshly prepared very delicious meals in the itinerary. My highest recommendations!

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I will blog next on the Canadian Pacific Railway engine and train cars.