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Amtrak Rainbow-era heavyweights

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  • Member since
    February 2010
  • 399 posts
Amtrak Rainbow-era heavyweights
Posted by sandusky on Friday, November 16, 2018 9:00 AM

I have been seeking examples of the above, only finding streamlined equipment. Heavyweight were off the menu from the start?

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: SE Minnesota
  • 6,845 posts
Posted by jrbernier on Friday, November 16, 2018 10:24 AM

  When Amtrak went inspecting existing passenger cars for possible purchase, the priority was:

  • Budd stainless steel cars
  • PS and ACF cars

Modeling BNSF  and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin

  • Member since
    February 2015
  • 869 posts
Posted by NHTX on Friday, November 16, 2018 10:37 AM

     The railroads had gone through a large passenger train reduction in the decade of 1955-1965.  Almost all heavyweights other than some in commuter service met the torch and a lot of the pre-WWII lighweights followed.  When Amtrak went car shopping there were almost no heavyweights for consideration, and I would say none went to Amtrak.

  • Member since
    May 2004
  • 7,500 posts
Posted by 7j43k on Friday, November 16, 2018 10:49 AM

So, I did a quick thumb-through of Craig Anderson's Amtrak 1978-1979 Annual.

Three heavyweights (RPO):

1800, ex-PC 6523

1801, ex-PC 6536

1802, ex-PC 6546

1801 and 1802 never got their Amtrak numbers.  All three built by PRR in 1907.

 

I know I'M surprised!

 

Ed

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