In the mid-1950s, the Budd Company developed a series of full-length bi-level dome cars, offering a panoramic view for all passengers seated on the upper level, while the lower level featured a lounge area. A fleet of 14 "Big Domes" were delivered to the Santa Fe Railway in 1954, while 6 similarly configured "Great Domes" were delivered to the Great Northern Railway the following year. A number continued in revenue use into the 1990s under Amtrak®, with “Ocean View” remaining in service on the railroad until 2019. Others found further use as excursion cars on tourist railroads, while some were converted for use on corporate business trains. This model represents one of Great Northern's "Great Dome" cars in the "Empire Builder" scheme the cars wore on delivery in 1955. Several of these cars have been restored to this scheme in the 21st century for operation on tourist railroads.
