They were the first dome cars operated in the Eastern United States, following on the success of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad's "Vista-Domes" in the west.

The Budd Company had built these cars for the Chessie, a Washington, D.C.–Cincinnati, Ohio luxury streamliner which was cancelled before it entered service.

Each of these had 24 dome seats, with 3 drawing rooms, 5 roomettes, 1 bedroom in the lower level.

[2]: 55 In 1952 the B&O mounted floodlights on the Strata-Domes to enable viewing the passing scenery at night.

[2]: 83 The B&O modified the two dome coaches to include a snack bar in one of the lower-level lounges.

Both cars later ran on the final Capitol Limited run April 30, 1971 when the train was discontinued at the start of Amtrak.