European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - November 10, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Magazine affluent the Peak in railway Chic by Bob Dvorchak associated press Liss for John Owen is sipping Champagne 1mm a Crystal Goblet on the brass platform of his private Railroad car As it Rolls through a Rocky Mountain Gorge or across the great Plains. It s the Only Way to go says Owen 62, a retired employee of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in Pittsburgh. It s like a year round Christmas gift. It s a big toy there s nothing like sitting Bach in the lounge watching the world go by. It costs some Money to what the Heck. It May sound ridiculous taut there s nothing Moree Fegal than  frills and extravagance Are mandatory for roaming in private cars most of which were originally built to pamper Railroad executives and plus corals. The affluent Call it land cruising. The Peak on Chic in status. A refurbished car today costs irom $300,000 to several million dollars or you can rent one for $3,000 a Day gourmet meals and Choice wine included. To haul private cars on its rails Amtrak charges s1 to $2,60 per mile depending on he length of the trip. The fee for the 3,155-mile trip from new York id los Angeles is $4.101.50. Fees to switch cars from one track to another Are extra and it could Cost $75 a Day in parking when the car is standing still. A gussied up coach will have Wall to Wall carpeting mahogany panelling crushed velour seats a fireplace stained Glass windows and a stainless steel Kitchen equipped to serve breakfasts such As baby Quail and eggs. Telephones and other amenities can be added. Despite the costs a National Romance is blossoming with private varnish the name Given private cars by railroaders. In the old Days Plush private cars were called varnish because of the amount of shellac on the furniture. There Are 175 owners who have 500 to boo private cars according to the american association of private rail car owners. When in was formed nine years ago members of the association owned 20 private cars. Amtrak expects to make $2 million in private car fees this year double the amount from last year. There s been a tremendous upswing in the usage of private cars this year says leak spokesman Flibort Black. More people Are buying refurbishing and running them. It s a popular Way to entertain do business or Lake a private cars usually Are put at the end of the train and owne