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Post by backshophoss on Jun 14, 2017 22:52:41 GMT -5
As the state owned SC-44's go on line for the Cascade service,figure on the Cascade branded F59phi's to be cycled down to
the Amtrak- Ca services,or working as 3rd units on the Builder out of Seattle,or the sole power on the Portland-Spokane
section (# 27,28) of the Builder
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jwb
Member
Posts: 27
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Post by jwb on Jun 16, 2017 16:27:38 GMT -5
Some of the Michigan trains have run, and still do, with Superliner coaches and I believe diners, often with an NPCU. Some Superliner coaches were converted for push-pull service, and some may have been converted more recently. I think some Illinois trains may also have run, or currently run, with Superliners, including Chicago-St Louis.
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Post by backshophoss on Jun 16, 2017 18:30:14 GMT -5
Most of the Superliner coach fleet have been shopped a few times by now,1 of the mods done was adding the MU trainline.
Some of the Lounge Cars and maybe the "Cross Country Cafe" Diner Cars might have the MU trainline mod.
The Sightseer Lounges used(and leased) by Amtrak-Ca were setup with the MU trainline.
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jwb
Member
Posts: 27
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Post by jwb on Jun 17, 2017 9:24:02 GMT -5
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jwb
Member
Posts: 27
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Post by jwb on Jun 17, 2017 12:03:19 GMT -5
backshophoss, I'm curious about what you say re Sightseer Lounges leased to Amtrak California. As far as I can see, these would only be used in Surfliner or San Joaquin/Capitol consists, but I'm not aware of this ever happening. However, some Superliner I coaches were refurbished and repainted for both Surfliner and San Joaquin/Capitol trains. In addition, unrepainted Superliner coaches also fill in on Surfliners and less frequently Capitol/San Joaquins (those are normally shorter trains).
Also, a couple of Horizon food service cars were repainted for the single-level San Joaquin/Capitol consists that otherwise use refurbished Jersey Arrow trailers.
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Post by backshophoss on Jun 17, 2017 18:07:23 GMT -5
This was in the beginning of the "Surfliner" service to San Diego,and was done untill the 2nd Gen "Surfliners"(aka California cars)
went online in 2002 there were 2-3 Lounges that got the MU trainline mod
They may have worked a short time on the Capital Corridor as that service started to ramp up.
Both Surfliner Generations have their "version" of a "Food Service Car"
Accounts vary on which lounges got the mod.
Caltrans would "borrow" Superliner coaches on a regular basis
The Horizon/Comarrow consists used on low ridership trains on the San Joaquin/Capital Corridor.
There were never any "trailer" cars in the Arrow MU cars,believe the "extra" arrow shells were built to Comet III specs
for NY/MTA(now MN's WOH) service to Port Jervis were sold on to NJT,then Caltrans bought and had them upgraded at Beech Grove
for the San Joaquin/Capital Corridor services. Along with a pair of NPCU's done up in a retro "Caltrain" scheme
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jwb
Member
Posts: 27
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Post by jwb on Jun 18, 2017 10:42:09 GMT -5
The Arrow Is, though, were in fact de-motorized by NJT and used as trailers in consists with Comet cars. Some of these were refurbished at Beech Grove and repainted for CalDOT.
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Post by backshophoss on Jun 18, 2017 20:20:09 GMT -5
We might be thinking of 2 different car types,the cars I'm thinking of were using surplus Arrow III body shells.
(A/C hump on the roof near the center door location)
Have always understood it was the Arrow III shells that Caltrans bought up.
The Horizon Food service cars and the NPCU's were also on Caltrans dime.
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jwb
Member
Posts: 27
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Post by jwb on Jun 19, 2017 9:26:23 GMT -5
 Here's a single-level San Joaquin I caught a few weeks ago. It's pretty plain these are Arrow I cars with the center doors filled in a la NJT. But I'm still puzzled about the lounges. I was riding and railfanning San Joaquins/Capitols and Surfliners in the 1995-97 transition period to Cal cars. The F59PHIs arrived well before the Cal cars and pulled single level Amfleet/Horizon trains. The San Joaquins did not have cab cars at that time and were wyed. The Surfliners had ex Metroliner cab cars. But the lounges were high level and not compatible to run with single level cars -- but when the Cal cars arrived, they ran in unique sets, and I never saw a lounge in them. It must have been very rare, if it happened at all. |
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Post by backshophoss on Jun 19, 2017 17:41:41 GMT -5
The 1st gen Surfliners were based at Emeryville (near Oakland) before wandering over to the San Diego services
Never got the chance to see that yard whenever I was in Ca(worked as an over the road driver back then),
did see a Lounge on a San Joaquin set in an early am hour (mid winter) while heading to a warehouse near Hanford
for a load of tomato paste to Oregon.
Over time whenever I was near Downtown LA would pass over the Amtrak yard on I-10 toward the Inglewood area.
As the 2nd gen Surfliner cars went online,Caltrans would grab Superliner coaches at Emeryville and LA as needed.
Most of my trips into the San Joaquin Valley kept me on CA 99 and the SP/UP line to Sacramento
On the rare trips along the coast line(US 101) it was common to see Surfiner cars deadheading on the Starlight
between the power and the Baggage car,or tacked on the rear at times.
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Post by backshophoss on Jul 24, 2017 1:48:08 GMT -5
Amtrak has come up with some possible consists on a return to service plan for what was "Sunset Ltd" east routing.
All would have 1 P-42 or SC-44 as power.
As an extension of the "City of New Orleans" to Orlando/Tampa Fl,or as a standalone train,New Orleans-Orlando/Tampa train
Supeliner Coach/Bag,Coach,Cross-Country Diner,and Sleeper. Add a coach and Sleeper(Trans-Dorm) for peak season(Holidays).
To run Daily.
For a proposed New Orleans-Mobile Al Daily train,Superliner Coach/Bag,Lounge car, and Coach,or
Horizon Coach,Food service(Dinette configuration),and a Horizon coach,with a NPCU to handle baggage/bikes.
The NPCU allows for Push- Pull operations.
Orlando is close to the Auto-Train terminal,but requires a deadhead move to/from Sanford-Orlando.
Tampa as a terminal for this service,believed to be a "request" from the Florida committee members.
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Post by backshophoss on Jan 22, 2018 22:10:09 GMT -5
The ex "El-Cap Sky Lounges",aka the"Pacific Parlor Cars" have reached the end of their service life,they are to be retired.
Train 14 of Feb 2nd out of LAUPT will be the last NB run,Train 11 of Feb 4th out of Seattle will be the last SB run.
It is unknown if the cars will return to Beech Grove for storage and possible sale to private car owners/museum donation
As of Feb 19 2018,all 4 Pacific Parlors have gone east to Chicago/Beech Grove on the SW Chief,2 on #4(17) the other 2 were on #4(18).
It is unknown if the cars will be stored,scrapped,or sold off at Beech Grove.
AS of March 18,the Pacific Parlors have been sold to a new home: the Steam Railroading Institute in Michigan,the operator of PM 1225
and the "star" of the Polar Express movie
The "Parlors" will become the "Adult Section" of their Polar Express runs.
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coaststarlight
New Member
Posts: 1
Primary Railroads: Union Pacific, BNSF, Southern Pacific, Amtrak
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Post by coaststarlight on Mar 11, 2018 13:17:56 GMT -5
As a veteran of the Coast Starlight, back in the 80's and 90's, train #11 and #14 ran identical consists, or very close to....
Train #14 NB Power(2) sometimes just a single Baggage Sleeper sleeper Diner Lounge Coach-Baggage Coach Coach Coach
Train #11 SB Power(2) sometimes just a single
Baggage (Sometimes 2 baggage cars)
Sleeper
sleeper sleeper
Diner
Lounge
Coach-Baggage
Coach
Coach
Coach
Back then, more passengers went to Los Angeles than Seattle so a third sleeper was used on the Southbound runs.
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Post by backshophoss on Mar 11, 2018 16:36:33 GMT -5
Coaststarlight,welcome to the board.
Unfortunately, the Pacific Parlors were retired and sent to Beech Grove for storage and possible sale.
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Post by backshophoss on Sept 9, 2018 19:14:47 GMT -5
The ex-GN Great Dome,"Ocean View" is making it's last runs on the Downeaster and Adirondack,and will join the Pacific Parlor cars in storage
at Beech Grove soon enough,leaving a small bunch of Heritage Baggage cars used as consist fillers on the former IC lines,and as company service
cars hauling parts between Beech Grove and the shops out west and southeast US.
Mr Anderson has put 10001"Beech Grove" in storage at Bear Del Shop,refusing to use the car at all.
Theater car "American View" has seen Limited use,figure on the "staff Sleeper" being mothballed as well.
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