I would like to personally welcome you to the Silver View website. This website will be the official site for updates and information about the Silver View restoration progress. This site will also have historical data concerning the Silver View and the Twin City Zephyr Trains. Please check back often, for restoration updates, progress pictures and information about this spectacular railcar from the 1940’s.
The Silver View arrives in Charles City, IA on May 24, 2012
We have installed brand new electronic ballasts, sockets and lamps in the ceiling of the dome. This is one of at least three trips to Silver View this year to continue her restoration. The hinged lens covers will be installed hopefully in July. We are working on locating material for installing the step lights, pedestal lights, and hand rail lighting also. These lights will be LEDs, to save on power consumption, last longer, and be able to run on 12 volt DC power. They will also be part of the emergency back-up lighting system.
We have finally resumed the demolition of the lower level under the dome. This was one of the first projects we started on when Silver View arrived in Charles City back in 2012. The walls have finally been removed and part of the old sub flooring from under the bathrooms. The radiators and there control valves and plumbing pipes have been removed. There is still plenty of clean-up to do in this area, but work is progressing at a good pace.
I had a couple of opportunities in 2014 & 2015 to work on Silver View’s dome area. The seat frames are now welded back in place and complete. I am still working on trying to make up to half of the frames convertible, so that the seats can be turned in the reverse direction. All of the carpet and paint that was on the walls of the dome, has been removed. The seat pedestals have been cleaned, acid washed, and re-installed. All of the original fluorescent light fixtures from the ceiling of the dome, have been gutted of all old parts and we are re-installing the fixture housings back into the ceiling.
After a long period of little or no activity, Silver View restoration is back on track. I have made only a few trips to work on her in the last couple of years. The owner of the car, Mike Abernethy, has been working on acid washing the stainless steel exterior of the car and it is looking fabulous. I have to admit that the car is 67 years old and it shows its many years of service, but the acid washing brings back such a beautiful shine, that it almost seems ‘factory new’. Mike has also been caulking and sealing the windows and the peer point panels around the windows, to keep out as much moisture out of the cars interior as possible.
We have decided to start this year in the dome area of the Silver View. Since we found out last year that the dome glass was in great shape and was able to remain in the car, we decided to finish the dome restoration this year. I have included a short video of the dome area and what we have finished so far. Enjoy!
This is the best news we have had about the Silver View in some time. Our car inspector has told us that the glass panels in the dome are in great shape and intact and we will be able use them instead of replacing them like earlier thoughts. Only two panels were found to be plastic and in poor condition, so they are the only ones that will be replaced. This is an incredible savings for this restoration and really motivates us to keep pushing ahead.
We were introduced to a new acid wash/cleaner that works so well, we now cannot wait for the springtime weather to come, so we can clean the entire car. This is the acid wash we are suppose to use on cleaning the side sills, to get them ready for inspection, but it will work for the whole car body. This product does not remove paint, which must be stripped prior to using the acid wash, but will work on all stainless steel surfaces.
These are re-upholstered chairs that will be used for dining service in the front and rear parlors.
The old bathrooms are going to become the new galley.
Former storage locker, soon to be new bathroom
Gerald, Mike, And Jim, The restoration crew for the Silver View.
Silver View 