"Cedar Rapids" brings up the rear of a Train Festival 2009 excursion pulled by SP 4449. In 1948 it was built with three siblings by the Milwaukee Road. CMO K.F. Nystrom supervised the building of the cars created by industrial designer Brooks Stevens. In 1970, the cars were withdrawn from service and one scrapped. Two other's were supposed to be part of a Great Lakes restaurant but eventually all but the observation ends were scrapped. Only "Cedar Rapids" rolls on. Having been privileged to ride in it, I proclaim it the finest observation car ever.
