I doubt that floors need to be strengthened to support more weight. These cars were built for crush loads, three-and-two dense seating with standees packing the aisle and areas around the doors in addition. Many of the cars, M-3's and on to M-6 are younger, and I am only recommending using the stainless steel shells, which can save a bundle of money. Of course, new trucks, brakes, air-conditioning, communications and HEP wiring, but unlike some other shells of the period, they are already equipped to have this stuff added.
Let's see what would need to be replaced: trucks, couplers and draft gear, removal of the MU controls and related equipment, strengthen the floor to support more weight, etc., etc., etc. Also, the M-1's and M-2's date back to the early 1970's and have a lot of mileage on them already.
See my post on the Viewliner thread on the Pasenger Forum. Some of the Metro-North, LIRR, and Conn-Dot mu cars now being retired would furnish excellent shells for Amrak baggage cars.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.