I figured that since its been a couple years since I posted this question, I would dig up this old qeustion of mine, scrape the mold off, and ask it again.

Does anyone have any information on the typical consist (Typicle Locomotive, Coach, Dome, ect. assignments) of Great Northern Railway's 1968 Empire Builder in the Sky Blue and White paint scheme? I am trying to put a consist together and am having trouble finding the right arragment of cars.

In Frailey's "Twilight Of The Great Trains," it lists the 1966 Empire Builder consist as being Storage mail, RPO storage mail, Storage mail, Baggage/Dormatory, 60 seat coach, Dome coach, Dome Coach, 48 seat coach, Coffee shop/ lounge, 48 seat coach, Dome coach, Sleeper (4-7-3-1), Sleeper (6-5-2), Diner, Full dome Bar/Lounge, Sleeper (6-5-2), Sleeper (7-6-1), Sleeper (6-4-1) (p. 116, Frailey, " Twilight of the Great Trains").
On p. 112 of the same book, a chart shows the following consist between MSP & CUS: Baggage/Mail, 5 dome coaches, Full Dome Bar/Lounge, Diner, 2 Sleepers (6-5-2), Sleeper (7-6-1-1), Coach, 2 Dome coaches, Diner, Slumber coach (24-8), Dome sleeper (4-4-2), Dome sleeper bar/lounge (4-2-4), Sleeper (8-6-4). I think that E units were used most often.
I understand this wasn't exactly what you were looking for, but I thought it might help.

PS: Challenger: I've noticed that Rivarossi has had the Big Sky Blue pass set out for a while now. Have you heard or noticed anything good or bad about that set?

[This message has been edited by CG96 (edited 09-11-2003).]

Thank you very much for your assistance on this. 1966 gets it close eneugh. As the Big Sky Blue Era was 1967-70 It finally clarifies some of the things I had been guessing at off of photos. This will be invaluable to me. I will share pictures of my model when I get it done.

As for the second part between Miniapolis and Chicago, I believe the chart you refer to is the combined North Coast Limited/Empire Builder train that CB&Q routed over their line. The consist you described fits that arrangment pretty well.

As for the Rivorossi Set, Yes I have taken notice of it. I am just looking for a deal on it, be it via E-bay or train show. (One of my personaly rules: Never pay list price for anything)

They are descent cars, but need a little work to make look right. Their primary problem is that they sit to high. That problem is fixed by sanding down flush the bolster on the car floor.This will give you a call that is a few scale inches taller than standard but I can live with this comprimise becasuse the truck due to its excess hight kingpin, is still able to rotate freely and thus be used on my less than desirable 22" radius curves.

I have rivorossi's UP Excursion Set [From when it was under the IHC name} Thats how i know about these modifications. I suspect that with Rivorossi presently working on retooling their passenger line as per Walthers Direction that this problem will be remidied.

Most people once the car is riding at about the right hight would be leave it at that. However the other big glaring thing about the Rivorossi cars is their overscale interiors. From their size the seats appear to be almost S scale. And they are in an HO scale car. I have not yet corrected this in my UP excursion cars. But when I get all the parts gathered to do it, I will remidy that.

Since Rivorossi has retooled their cars and has reliesed City of Los Anglelas and City of Portland (The one in the gray hound) consists as well as a new excursion set to look into. I might have to buy the City of Portland consist and evaluate the new tooling.

Kind of a long winded answer. But thanks for reading.