Train of Tomorrow

Artist's conception of the Moon Glow observation car from a promotional brochure distributed by General Motors describing the Train of Tomorrow, a demonstrator built by GM and Pullman-Standard

In 1947, General Motors ordered four domes ("Moon Glow" lounge, "sky view" diner, "star Dust" coach and Dream Cloud" sleeper) from Pullman for a new publicity train known as the "Train of Tomorrow".  The idea was meant to showcase the latest in rail travel accommodations following WWII.  After touring cross-country the equipment was purchased by Union Pacific.  Today, "Moon Glow" is the only surviving piece though in need of restoration.  Unfortunately, the other cars were scrapped in the 1960s.

The Train of Tomorrow was an American demonstrator train built as a collaboration between General Motors and Pullman-Standard between 1945 and 1947.  It was the first new train to consist entirely of dome cars ("Astra-Domes").  It is said the idea was conceived by vice president of GM and general manager of (EMD) Electro-Motive Division Cyrus R. Osborn. He retired from GM in 1962 after 45 years of service. 

Cyrus R. Osborn 

1897-1968

After GM built a 45-foot scale model of the train for $101,072 ($1,680.280 in 2025 dollars) and displayed it to 350 officials from 55 different Class I railroads in 1945, the Train of Tomorrow was built by Pullman-Standard between October 1946 and May 1947. 

"Moon Glow"

The last remaining car from the General Motors Train of Tomorrow is in deperate need of preservation.  The immediate need is to raise enough interest and funds to move the car across town (Ogden, UT) to a more secure location and stop its relentless deterioration. Only then can efforts turn to restoration. 

The car included 24 seats in the dome and 44 seats in various lounge areas below.  The car also with its sister cars toured North America to promote diesel-powered streamliner trains.  While the other three cars were scrapped in the 1960s, "Moon Glow" was purchased by Union Pacific and was eventually rescued from a scrapyard and remains the sole survivor. The entire train was designed to showcase futuristic, comfortable and fast travel powered by GM diesel engines with speeds up to 100 mph. 

Speeds up to 100 mph in the 1940s is almost unimaginable, by rail.