3 Vtg Union Pacific UP Railroad The 49er Blue & Gold Shenango Pickle Side Dish

Description

Set of 3 Vintage Union Pacific UP Railroad “The 49er” Blue & Gold Pattern Shenango China 7 5/8″ Pickle Trough Relish Side Dishes
Marked on Base: SHENANGO CHINA NEWCASTLE, PA along with the Indian trademark. The backstamp used will date these as being manufactured from 1937 to the early 1950s.
Per research this “Blue and Gold” stock pattern was used by the Union Pacific and two other railroads on “The 49er,” train which ran just under 2,000 miles between Chicago, Illinois and San Francisco, California from 1937 to 1941. Following the ending of the train service, the UPRR continued to use this pattern in its station restaurants and other operations.The Blue & Gold is listed in the books with Union Pacific patterns, since the UP initiated the original train service for which it was purchased. These are produced by Shenango, but Lamberton Scammell produced some of this pattern as well for the UP.
According to “Dining on Rails,” because of the great distance involved, the UP shared operations of “The 49er” trains with two other railroads. They were unable to agree on a shared china pattern, and at last compromised on Blue and Gold. The final arrangement was no railway markings at all on any of the dining car ware, because they all refused to use china aboard their trains that was marked for one of the other lines – hence the reason this pattern was never marked with any specific railroad identification.
Set is in EXCELLENT CONDITION ~ No nicks, chips, cracks, flea bites, or damage.
Measures approx. 10 5/8″ long x 5″ wide x 1 3/4″ tall.
Great collectible for the railroad buff, or restaurant ware collector!
If you have any questions please ask.
Thanks for Looking!