Montana Ranch Train Cars: A Celebration Of The American West

Western art showcasing branding irons from Montana cattle ranches.
Photo courtesy of Tim Manus Photography.

Montana Ranch Train Cars: A Celebration Of The American West

Just the thought of road trips by backroads and two-lane highways gets our blood pumping, and Montana certainly ranks near the top of our favorite road trip states. Big Sky Country offers enchanting landscapes from the Rocky Mountains to the rolling hills of the Great Plains. Imagine how train travelers felt during the 1950s when passenger trains were popular for cross-country excursions. 

I am a big fan of how railroads shaped America during the Gilded Age (roughly 1880-1910). During this time, the Great Northern Railway built a famous route connecting Chicago to the Pacific Northwest. It became known as the Empire Builder, one of the most scenic routes in America. Furthermore, the Great Northern Railway built the infrastructure that would become Glacier National Park.

Needless to say, I was ecstatic when I heard that the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad had obtained a rare 1950s-era Montana Ranch Car. Although the railroad near Spooner was closed when we stopped by, General Manager Greg Vreeland asked if we wanted to see it. Of course! I was beyond excited to see the historic railcar, but Greg might have been more excited to show it.

If you’re a fan of railroads and the American West, you’ll love this. 

Only six Montana ranch-style lounge cars were built for the Empire Builder. Photo courtesy of Tim Manus Photography.

About The Montana Ranch Train Cars

The Montana Ranch Train Car is a unique and innovative piece of railroad history and one of the most symbolic images of American passenger train travel. It helped celebrate the American West and gave passengers a unique way to experience American cowboy culture.

Built in 1951, the Montana-themed lounge car, White Pine Lake, was one of six added to the Empire Builder, Great Northern Railway’s flagship passenger train, whose inaugural journey steamed ahead in 1929. The Empire Builder was named after the Great Northern Railway’s owner, James J. Hill, whose railroad empire connected Chicago to Seattle and Portland. Passengers enjoyed views of Midwestern landscapes, Glacier National Park, and the Cascade Mountains along the route.

The Ranch Cars were a popular attraction on the Empire Builder. Passengers relaxed in its lounge cars, which resembled a combination of a coffee shop and cocktail bar while enjoying beautiful scenery traveling across America. 

Great Northern Railway used Ranch Cars until Amtrak undertook responsibility for all passenger rail service in 1971, but several organizations have restored and preserved some of them. Near Spooner, the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad now owns one of the six Ranch Cars, #1244, White Pine Lake. Passengers can now experience Western train travel from the railroad’s headquarters in Trego, five miles north of Spooner. The Ranch Car is available on the railroad’s Bed & Breakfast train, where passengers can experience the American West while traveling through Wisconsin’s scenic Northwoods.

For more on how the Great Northern Railway shaped Glacier National Park, read:

Glacier National Park: Its Splendor In A Colossal Train Empire

Western art and culture aboard a Montana Ranch Train Car. Photo courtesy of Tim Manus Photography.

History Of The Montana Ranch Train Cars

Six Ranch Cars were built in 1951 by American Car & Foundry. The Ranch Cars were the first cars on the Empire Builder to be designed with a Western theme to resemble the Montana ranchlands on the route. They represented the state’s rugged beauty and deep Western heritage. The Ranch Cars were a departure from the traditional design of passenger railcars. They were built with peeled cedar logs, random-width oak paneling, and Pinto Pony-patterned upholstery. The lounge cars also featured branding irons, a large mural of a Montana roundup behind the counter, and many Western motifs.

Unfortunately, the Ranch Cars increasingly became expensive to maintain and were retired from service in 1971. They were replaced by more modern cars that were better suited for the changing needs of passengers. However, the Ranch Cars remain popular with railroad enthusiasts and history lovers. Several of the railcars have been restored and preserved, and they are now used on excursion trains and special events. Hidden Lake, #1242, is being restored by the Niles Canyon Railway in Sunol, California. Likewise, the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad near Spooner acquired the White Pine Lake.

The retirement of the Ranch Cars was a sad day for many railroad enthusiasts and history lovers. The railcars were a unique piece of railroad history that celebrated the American West. 

Western artist Nick Eggenhofer created The Ranch, a sixteen-foot cowboy roundup mural behind the bar.

Take An Excursion To Experience The Empire Builder

The Ranch Cars were configured as a coffee shop and lounge. Western artist Nick Eggenhofer(1897-1985) created The Ranch, a 16-foot mural of a Montana roundup. The railcars also had branding irons in the shape of GN, representing the Great Northern Railway, a long counter, and featured a jumbo-sized coffee pot that looked similar to those from cattle roundups.  

The Ranch Cars were a popular place to relax and socialize. Passengers could enjoy a cup of coffee, a snack, or a drink at the bar. They could also play cards, read, relax, and enjoy the scenery.

People and organizations passionate about railroad history have restored several Ranch Cars. Some of these railcars are now used on excursion trains. The restoration of Ranch Cars is a testament to the love and dedication of railroad enthusiasts. These particular railcars are a valuable piece of railroad history and will continue to be enjoyed by railroad enthusiasts for many years. For railroad fans, riding on a restored Montana Ranch Car is a must.

The White Pine Lake’s Floor represents Blackfeet motifs. The Blackfeet southern reservation border runs along the Empire Builder’s route East of Glacier National Park. Photo courtesy of Tim Manus Photography.

Western Decor Of The Great Northern Railroad’s Montana Ranch Cars

The Great Northern Railroad’s Montana Ranch Car was designed to recreate the atmosphere of a Western ranch. The Western decor on the railcar is a unique and authentic representation of the American West.

The cowboy-themed design of the Ranch Car is a striking feature. The smooth, barkless cedar logs on its walls create a rustic atmosphere reminiscent of a Western ranch house. The variable-width oak paneling adds to the wrangler-style interior of the car, and the Pinto Pony leather patterns on seat backs are reminiscent of Montana’s cowboy heritage. Leather seats throughout the train car are inviting, and GN branding irons on the walls add a touch of a bygone era where cattle ranches were significant in the American West.

The large 16-foot-long mural created by renowned Western artist Nick Eggenhofer hangs on the wall behind the bar. The mural is the centerpiece of the Ranch Car’s Western decor and illustrates a Montana Roundup, with cowboys herding cattle and branding horses. The mural is painted in a realistic style and captures the spirit of a Western roundup.

Originally, Blackfeet Indian motifs decorated the floor, and some of the decor was an affirmation of the region’s Native American history. The Blackfeet, located in northwestern Montana and Alberta, Canada, were a powerful tribe at the beginning of the 19th century, and their symbols are a reminder of their presence in the region. A variety of Blackfoot motifs remain on White Pine Lake. 

Fun Tip: See Great Northern Railway china from the largest public display of dining car china at the Colfax Railroad Museum—seventeen miles northeast of Menomonie in Colfax, Wisconsin.

Historical brochures from the Empire Builder’s glory days hang behind Pinto Pony-styled bar stools. Photo courtesy of Tim Manus Photography.

Riding On The Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad’s White Pine Lake

The Western decor of the Montana Ranch Car is a feast for the senses. The rustic atmosphere, authentic branding irons, leather art, a realistic mural, and Blackfoot motifs combine to create a unique and memorable experience. The Ranch Car is a time capsule that transports passengers back to the days of the Wild West.

In addition to its Western decor, the Montana Ranch Car has many features that make it a unique and enjoyable train car. The White Pine Lake has a dining area with wooden tables and chairs, a bar with spotted Pinto Pony-patterned stools, and a lounge area for drinks. The dining area is spacious, comfortable, and the perfect place to enjoy a meal with friends or family. The bar and lounge are a laid-back place to relax with a cocktail or a cup of coffee or tea.

The Montana Ranch Car is a great way to experience history and culture from the American West, and its amenities make it a comfortable and enjoyable place to travel. If you are looking for a unique and memorable train experience, the Montana Ranch Car is the perfect choice.

For something different, try renting a pontoon boat for an unforgettable sightseeing journey through Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area in Southeast Montana. Most travelers miss this opportunity on the way to Yellowstone or Grand Teton National Parks, but they shouldn’t. It’s just as good. Read about an uncrowded xxx, floating restrooms, and bears with bad habits here. 

Road Trips And Pontoon Boats: How To Make Memories In Montana Bighorn Country

An oversized chuckwagon-style metal coffee pot connects passengers with the spirit of the American West. Photo courtesy of Tim Manus Photography.

The Coffee Pot: A Symbol Of Hospitality On The Montana Ranch Train Cars

An oversized chuckwagon-style metal coffee pot sat behind the bar on the counter on the Montana Ranch Train Car. It was a significant symbol of the Empire Builder’s hospitality and unique Western heritage. Similarly, it was a reminder of the importance of coffee in Western culture and a way for passengers to connect with the spirit of the American West. As part of a Western experience, the coffee pot was a crucial part of contributing to the lounge car’s ambiance. 

Likewise, the coffee pot was a source of comfort and familiarity for passengers. When they boarded the Ranch Car, they could smell the aroma of fresh coffee brewing. It was a reminder of home and a way to relax and unwind on their journey.

Coffee has been a staple of Western culture for centuries. Coffee was seen as a symbol of hospitality and friendship and often offered to guests as a sign of welcome. The coffee pot on the Montana Ranch Train Car was a reminder of this tradition. It remains the centerpiece behind the bar and sits prominently in the middle of Nick Eggenhofer’s mural in White Pine Lake. The pot was always full of fresh coffee, ready to welcome passengers throughout their scenic rail journey.

Connecting With Cowboy Culture

The coffee pot on the Ranch Cars was also a way for passengers to connect with the spirit of the American West and each other. The Ranch Car helped create a social gathering place and camaraderie for passengers on the Empire Builder. Riding in the lounge car allowed passengers to relax and enjoy the journey. Passengers often sat at the counter and discussed their travels, families, and jobs. It was also a comfortable and inviting space where passengers could come to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Passengers would often gather in the lounge car to chat, play cards, relax, and enjoy a cup of coffee. 

During the era when trains were the primary mode of transportation for long-distance travel, rail passengers came to know the Montana Ranch Train Car’s signature coffee pot as a symbol of the Great Northern Railway itself. It was a vital part of the experience of riding on the Ranch Car since it was a symbol of train travel through the American West. It is no wonder that it remains a popular topic of conversation among railroad enthusiasts today.

Final Thoughts

We often take day trips to Washburn County, Wisconsin. Spooner, the largest town, is only an hour and a half away from Eau Claire and the perfect distance for a day trip. Fishing is excellent, and our son caught the first musky in our family there. Fun festivals like the Stone Lake Cranberry Festival celebrate Wisconsin’s famous fruit the first weekend of October. Even if you’re not into fishing, we recommend visiting the world’s largest musky fish hatchery, also in Spooner. The Governor Tommy G. Thompson State Fish Hatchery is unlike any you’ll see. 

Check out Why You Need To Visit The Outstanding Spooner Fish Hatchery

Furthermore, the Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum is a unique, top-notch museum that will surprise you. It’s one of our all-time favorites, yet hardly anyone knows about it. In our book, Secret Wisconsin, we wrote about the fish hatchery and canoe museum.

The Ranch Cars are a reminder of a bygone era and one of the most symbolic images of the American West. Because only six were built, they continue to be wildly popular with railroad enthusiasts. Now, the Montana Ranch Car is among our favorite things to see and do in Washburn County.