A specialized passenger car built with a raised, glass-roofed observation deck sitting above the standard roofline. Passengers sit in the elevated section to get a 360-degree view of the scenery. Originally built for scenic long-distance routes through the mountains, many are now preserved on heritage railways or used in luxury excursion trains.
Heard on the job
They tacked a vintage dome car onto the rear of the excursion train for the VIP guests.
Also heard as
- vista-dome
Related terms
Observation car
A passenger coach featuring enlarged windows or an open platform to provide an unobstructed view of the passing scenery.
Passenger car
A railcar specifically designed and equipped to carry people.
Heritage railway
A preserved or restored railroad operated primarily as a living history exhibit or tourist attraction.