Builder: Pacific Car and Foundry . Year Built: 1962

Southern Pacific 6717 is one of 200 "Economy" baggage cars (SP 6601-6800) built for the Southern Pacific in the early 1960's.

By the late 1950's, maintenance costs were catching up with the SP's older baggage and mail cars that were on the roster since the 1920's and 30's. To alleviate the situation, the SP purchased 100 new lightweight baggage cars from the St. Louis Car Co. in 1960. A second order of 100 similar cars was placed with Pacific Car and Foundry and delivered in 1962.

These cars were rather plain, hence the "economy" name, and built entirely of steel in conformity with American Association of Railroad (AAR) standards as well as U.S. Postal regulations. The cars were painted in the solid dark gray scheme with white (silver-gray) lettering.

Thirty-five of the 200 cars were built equipped for an on-board baggage master or express messenger. These cars were outfitted with a desk, pigeonhole sorting rack, drinking water, a lavatory, electric lights, a brake cord, and safety rod near the ceiling. One baggage master car was normally assigned to most trains to oversee passenger baggage, express mail, and company mail.

Many of these cars survive today in Maintenance of Way service for the SP. None of the cars were transferred to Amtrak.

Number 6717 was acquired by the GGRM in 1987 and transferred to the museum later that year.

Text by Roy Wullich