Barry's Model Railroad: Info about Pere Marquette Passenger Service

Walthers Published the following regarding its named train release for 2012:

"Speeding travelers from Chicago to Detroit, the Pere Marquette was the pride of C&O postwar streamliner service! Updated with new cars from Pullman-Standard in the 1950s, the trains offered a wide range of comfortable accommodations whether traveling for business or pleasure.

C&O's Pere Marquette had the distinction of being the first all-new American streamliner to enter service in 1946, running between Grand Rapids, and Detroit, Michigan. Based on its initial success, service was soon extended to Chicago. A variety of new Pullman-Standard cars were assigned in the 1950s, as the trains were kept fresh and modern to attract riders. Providing convenient service for business travelers and tourists, the trains also handled large volumes of mail into the 1960s. While the C&O had opted to join Amtrak, the Pere Marquette was one of many smaller trains that faded in history on May 1, 1971.

The C&O Pere Marquette service operated between Chicago and Detroit carrying passengers through the hub of Grand Rapids. While through-service tickets were sold, the route was handled with two separate trains, meaning through-service passengers changed trains in Grand Rapids.

Actual consists varied as demand changed but C&O usually ran a minimum of two and regularly up to four Pullman-Standard 52-Seat Coaches per train. Originally put into service with side skirts attached, as maintenance was required skirts were removed and one could often see both versions of the car operating on the same train.

Between Chicago and Grand Rapids the 85' P-S Diner Coach was employed for food service, while the Lunch Counter Lounge served patrons traveling from Grand Rapids to Detroit. The remainder of the consist typically included one of each ACF RPO-Baggage Car, P-S Baggage Car, and P-S 10-6 Sleeper, all pulled by an EMD E7A."

I currently have collected all of the cars produced by Walthers but I am still waiting for the two EMD E7A locomotives they are producing for this set. The consists for my train are as follows: