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Phase 2: #502 Pleasure Dome Exhibit

Listed under our “Future Exhibits” is the #502 “Pleasure Dome,” one of six 1950 Pullman cars made for the Santa Fe Super Chief, a luxury rail that ran from Los Angeles to Chicago, and of course, passed through Winslow, Arizona.

In 2015, the Winslow Arts Trust purchased the #502 thanks to generous donations from the Candelaria Fund and Allan Affeldt, and the BNSF moved the car from Lamy, New Mexico to Winslow.

Phase One

Phase One began in 2016.

After bringing the car to Winslow, Glenn Blake did some cleaning and repair to the exterior, as well as a bit of work to the interior with the plan of restoring the car to open to the public as part of the museum, but first, the 1930 Depot needed to be rehabilitated into a museum. Next, the interior exhibits took center stage, including our most recent installation of Paul Ruschá LIFE MASK this past October.

Phase Two

We are now ready to turn our focus back to the #502, starting with this platform.

#502 Pleasure Dome

Our hope for early this year is to get the viewing platform accessible to the public so they can see the rail car up close instead of through the fence. That will require replacing the chainlink with a proper railing around the platform to keep visitors safe.

502 Pleasure Dome

Planning the Platform

In January 2025, Allan met with Winslow’s city manager David Coolidge to walk him through our plans for the platform viewing area so we can move forward with the project.

#502 Pleasure Dome

Also on hand, metal artisan John Suttman, who will design a functional yet attractive railing around the platform. John is the artist responsible for the ornate gates and lanterns at La Posada, and his sculpture is featured in our Arcade Gallery. While this project is more utility than art, it will do much to further our plans for opening the #502 to the public.

Inside the #502 Pleasure Dome

Allan also gave Dave a tour inside the railcar, showing him the star-patterned ceiling in the lounge.

#502 Pleasure Dome

Allan walked him through the “Turquoise Room” which was the private dining room and namesake for our restaurant at La Posada, seen in its heyday in the ad below.

#502 Pleasure Dome Turquoise Room

And of course the Pleasure Dome, the magnificent windowed upper portion of the car, with the original swivel chairs. David agreed having this car open to the public would be a wonderful asset for Winslow.

#502 Pleasure Dome

Next Steps

Once we get guidance from the city, we hope to get to the design and installation of the railings completed right away so guests can exit out the WSA Gallery and onto the platform to see this spectacular stainless steel beauty. If you are interested in helping with this project financially in conjunction with the Winslow Arts Trust (a 501c3) or interested in volunteering your skilled labor, please contact us or donate via the buttons below. At checkout, you can add a note for a specific project.

Then the real fun will begin: PHASE THREE, opening the #502 for visitors. We have been acquiring some original furniture we will share in our next post.

#502 Pleasure Dome

STAY TUNED!

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Off Season Hours:
Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Location:
La Posada Hotel Depot
303 East 2nd St.
Winslow, AZ 86047

Contact:
info@ammwsa.com
(928) 289-4366

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