In the "old days", these so-called 'Bunk Cars' would be called by the correct name :
'OUTFIT CARS' ... Because the gang of men living on board, whether track workers, signal folks, welders or whatever, were considered the "OUTFIT" ...

For many, many years the Southern Pacific had a prohibition on individuals or families living on "OCC" trains while being physically moved. The "OCC" designation stood for "Occupied Outfit Cars" ... My parents lived aboard these gypsy camps, usually out in the boondocks of nowhere, for some TEN years after getting married in December-1932.

The Editor of "Classic Trains" is encouraging me to write a story about their life on these cars as he says they have never covered this side of railroading. I hope to do so in the near future. You guys "might" enjoy some of their tales.. My Mom died in 1998 at the age of 84.
While still somewhat healthy, she wrote down a LOT of her RR memoirs and included several photographs. After getting married in Oakland, in 1932, the SP sent them to Arizona where they mingled with the Navajos.. It's quite an adventure. My Aunt Irene (SP W.O. Signal Shop-35 yrs) was 20 years old at the time and was invited to go to Arizona with them on their 'honeymoon'.. In addition to my Mom's memoirs, Irene kept a daily "Diary" about her adventures with them. After Irene passed away in 1977, I got her Diary.
So--- we shall see what I can put together in the next few months. By the way, their Outfit Car was an old wooden coach from the late 1800's that was retired at Sacramento in 1931 and converted to MOW service... Just perfect for a newly-married young couple.. (grin)
The cars number was MW 465... Watch for their story someday in 'Classic Trains" ...

Cheers.

KRK

p.s.-- And, YES-- my Mom did correspond for a while with "Kay Fisher" at Emigrant Gap...
Two old, wonderful Outfit Car ladies....
Ken...