This August 2004 release models Santa Fe sleeper observations in the Vista Series. They are PS Plan 4115, 1947. They had one double bedroom, four drawing rooms, and an observation lounge. The correct names are Vista Canyon, Vista Cavern, Vista Heights, and Vista Valley. A further Vista, the Vista Club was built in 1950 by ACF and has a different appearance. In 1956 these cars were rebuilt with a squared off end for mid train use, so this model is prototypical for 1947-56. They were used on the Super Chief and in occasional special service. Photos in Boyle show then in special service in Tulsa in 1949 sans drumhead and in Topeka at another with with the Santa Fe logo as a drumhead.

The attached photos are of the car straight out of the box. The metal grabs have not yet been added.

For those modeling the interior, this car had Venetial blinds and draperies, not shades. The drumhead on the model is the later version. Photos show an earlier drumhead in 1937 and the one on the model was used by 1947 and lasted until 1968.

Also see the prototype in The Pullman-Standard Library, Volume 1, Santa Fe, by W. David Randall, RPC Publications, 1986.

Boyle, Jonathan J. Jr., Santa Fe Streamlined Observation Cars. Forest, VA: TLC Publishing, 2004.

Railroad Model Craftsman, April, 1969, p. 26-27, p. 34-37