Original 1955 artwork from Union Pacific's famed City of Los Angeles streamliner will be preserved in Cumberland.
CUMBERLAND, MD — The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad is pleased to announce the acquisition of a complete set of historic Union Pacific Railroad Astra-Dome lounge murals, originally created for the railroad's renowned City of Los Angeles passenger train in 1955.
The colorful, multi-panel artwork once adorned the back wall of the cocktail lounge bar aboard Union Pacific's luxurious dome-observation cars, offering passengers a visual tribute to the railroad's history as they traveled between Chicago and Los Angeles.
The murals depict several significant moments and developments in American railroad history, including the completion of the first transcontinental railroad at Promontory Summit, Utah, in 1869, Union Pacific's pioneering M-10000 streamliner, diesel passenger locomotives, and the railroad's powerful gas-turbine locomotives. Scenes of the American West complement the railroad imagery, creating a sweeping depiction of Union Pacific's history and technological advancement.
A Piece of Streamliner History
In 1955, Union Pacific introduced a fleet of 15 new Astra-Dome observation-lounge cars constructed by American Car & Foundry in St. Charles, Missouri. Five of these cars, numbered 9000 through 9004, were assigned to the railroad's prestigious City of Los Angeles, one of America's premier passenger trains.
The dome-observation cars offered passengers panoramic views from their elevated glass-enclosed seating areas, along with comfortable lounges and cocktail service on the main level.
Located directly beneath the dome was an intimate cocktail lounge featuring a bar and seating for passengers. The rear wall of the bar displayed an elaborate mural commemorating the driving of the Golden Spike and the development of the Union Pacific Railroad.
Historical documentation also identifies the City of Los Angeles cocktail lounge's distinctive "Gold Quartz" interior design, incorporating green and gold tones against a beige background. This decorative treatment complemented the railroad's distinctive streamlined passenger equipment.
In 1956, Union Pacific modified its dome-observation fleet for mid-train operation. The cars' rear observation windows were covered, and their end-of-train warning lights were removed, transforming them into dome-lounge cars while retaining their passenger amenities.
Preserving an Original Piece of Union Pacific History
The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad acquired the surviving murals through Rail & Road Auctions following their preservation in a private collection in Nashville, Tennessee. The artwork had previously been offered for sale in the auction company's October 2024 Railroadiana auction.
Although the specific Union Pacific car from which the artwork was removed has not yet been identified, historical documentation confirms that this mural design was used in the City of Los Angeles dome-observation fleet.
The acquisition represents another addition to the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad's growing collection of historic passenger railroad equipment and artifacts.
The railroad is currently undertaking restoration and development efforts involving its own Union Pacific Astra-Dome car, No. 7000, Denver, which arrived in Cumberland in September 2026.
While No. 7000 originally served as a dome coach rather than a dome-observation lounge, the acquired artwork represents an authentic piece of the same era of Union Pacific passenger service and offers an opportunity to preserve the railroad's distinctive mid-century interior design.
With the complete mural now in the railroad's possession, the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad looks forward to preserving this remarkable example of 1950s passenger-train artwork for future generations.