What was the normal Empire Builder Consist in the early 70's

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know what was the Normal Empire Builder Cosnsist in the early 70's before the Superliners came out?

Thanks

DOGGY

[Anonymous]

DOGGY--

After Amtrak took the train over in 1971 it usually had the following:

An ex-GN baggage-dorm
1, 2 or more Budd dome coaches (usually ex-CB&Q, ex-GN or ex-NP)
2 or more flat-top coaches (many of which were ex-Santa Fe or ex-Seaboard Coast Line)
An ex-GN Great Dome lounge
A diner (often ex-NP)
2, 3 or more sleepers. Most often the sleepers were 10-6s. Just about any other configuration then used by Amtrak also might be found.

Before the SDP40s were delivered, the train usually was hauled by combinations of ex-GN and ex-NP F units, several of which had been repainted into BN's Cascade Green and white passenger scheme. E8s and E9s (usually ex-CB&Q) also appeared in some engine consists.

--John

[Anonymous]

Thanks

DOGGY

[Anonymous]

Here's an update and a photo link....

During '71 and '72 the Builder was supposed to carry a Slumbercoach in its consist. Some photos I've seen show the train during that time period, but without the Slumbercoach.

A Slumbercoach is in the train, just behind the diner, in these July 1971 photos:

http://www.harbornet.com/folks/dougsdepot/amtk1971.html

--John