Budd–Michelin rubber-tired rail cars

While generally regarded as a failure, the Silver Slipper is sometimes credited as the "first true streamlined passenger train", although it has remained obscure in comparison with other competitors for the title, such as the Pioneer Zephyr and Union Pacific's M-10000.

During the 1920s, the American Budd Company, at the time a relatively obscure auto-frame supplier,[1] developed an extensive working relationship with the French firm Michelin, which was best known for its tires.

[3] Completed in early 1932,[2] the first of the Budd–Michelin collaborations was a 40-passenger, single-car demonstrator nicknamed the "Green Goose", which rode on 12 wheels and was powered by an 85-horsepower (63 kW) Junker diesel engine.

[3] Beginning in November 1932, the Reading operated its 47-passenger car (which measured 50 ft or 15 m long and weighed 12 short tons or 11 t) on its New Hope branch.

However, its numerous shortcomings, ranging from its bouncy ride and tendency to derail to its low top speed (reputed to be near 45 mph or 72 km/h) and steep price tag ($75,000), discouraged the Reading from ordering any more such cars.

They remained with the Pennsylvania until 1943, when they were sold to the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad, a Virginia short line that operated them for only a few months; they were ultimately scrapped in 1948.

[2][3] However, it derailed during a test run, and while the trailing coach was outfitted with new trucks, the power car also demonstrated reliability issues.

[1] Karl Zimmermann concurs, observing that while "the Zephyr and Union Pacific's M-10000 typically vie for the title of 'first streamliner'", the Silver Slipper is deserving of consideration for the honor.