This is former CB&Q parlor-observation-diner "Silver Star". The car was built in 1939 for the General Pershing Zephyr. Each of the three cars "silver" name - Star, Eagle and Leaf - indicated a U.S. Army badge of rank. CB&Q 9908, "Silver Charger", was the last shovelnose built for the "Q" and was named after Pershing's horse, "Charger". 9908 resides in the MOT collection near St. Louis. The car was renamed the "Sundowner" after it was sent to Australia.
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This car appears to have originated as the CB&Q Silver Star on the General Pershing Zephyr, a train introduced in 1939 intended as a daily round-trip between Kansas City and St. Louis. It was sold to AMAX in 1974, and given to Mt Newman Mining (now part of BHP), and is apparently named the Sundowner.
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Looking at this car, I SERIOUSLY doubt that this an ex- Rio Grande car. Initially, it looks much more like an ex New York Central car, but I am glad to do some more research to try to determine its origins. Certainly looks to be a Budd Co. product, though.
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