One of the Finest
20" x 30", Acrylic on Canvas, 2009
Hans Kleiner Collection
On a summer day in 1962 Northern Pacific train #26, the eastbound Vista-Dome North Coast
Limited is well into its journey across the Main Street of the Northwest as it makes its scheduled
stop in Livingston, Montana. A minor mishap with a boxcar in the yard has forced No. 26 to
make its station stop a little farther west then its usual "spot" by Martin's Cafe--not an
inconvenience to coach passengers. Sectionmen will have the problem cleared in time for No. 26
to depart on-schedule. Pausing only for a few minutes the train is quickly serviced and the
diesel locomotive units up front are exchanged for cleaned and fully fueled ones. In the midst
of all this activity Stewardess-Nurse Karen Walt, coach attendant Palton Robinson and
conductor Jimmy Quinn have a moment to enjoy a quick chat. Using a dome washing rig built
locally in the Livingston shops, two carmen or “car knockers” as they were known on the
railroad, make sure the windows on dome coach #556 are cleaned for the scenery to be
enjoyed by all. After finding his assigned car a young boy in one of the windows below waves
goodbye to his grandparents. Meanwhile more passengers board stainless steel Slumbercoach
#326 “Loch Leven”, all knowing they’re in the good hands of the men and women of the NP.
20" x 30", Acrylic on Canvas, 2009
Hans Kleiner Collection
On a summer day in 1962 Northern Pacific train #26, the eastbound Vista-Dome North Coast
Limited is well into its journey across the Main Street of the Northwest as it makes its scheduled
stop in Livingston, Montana. A minor mishap with a boxcar in the yard has forced No. 26 to
make its station stop a little farther west then its usual "spot" by Martin's Cafe--not an
inconvenience to coach passengers. Sectionmen will have the problem cleared in time for No. 26
to depart on-schedule. Pausing only for a few minutes the train is quickly serviced and the
diesel locomotive units up front are exchanged for cleaned and fully fueled ones. In the midst
of all this activity Stewardess-Nurse Karen Walt, coach attendant Palton Robinson and
conductor Jimmy Quinn have a moment to enjoy a quick chat. Using a dome washing rig built
locally in the Livingston shops, two carmen or “car knockers” as they were known on the
railroad, make sure the windows on dome coach #556 are cleaned for the scenery to be
enjoyed by all. After finding his assigned car a young boy in one of the windows below waves
goodbye to his grandparents. Meanwhile more passengers board stainless steel Slumbercoach
#326 “Loch Leven”, all knowing they’re in the good hands of the men and women of the NP.
