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Amtrak could use those Barnum and Bailey Circus Cars right now, Perfectly Good Shape

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Amtrak could use those Barnum and Bailey Circus Cars right now, Perfectly Good Shape
Posted by CandOforprogress2 on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 12:21 PM

Lets see we just suddenly have a 45 passenger and sleeper cars on the market that are Amtrak Compatible...Hmm

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Posted by D.Carleton on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 8:55 PM

Those cars were tunneled by the circus and were physically and mechanically modified to meet their needs. They are not Amtrak compatible nor comply with 49CFR238. They will make for a good supply of parts for heritage cars but that's it.

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Posted by CandOforprogress2 on Thursday, January 26, 2017 4:54 PM

As far as understand it they either where dorm cars or had private rooms...So using them as Crew Transition cars might work too... I am looking for a documentry that i saw on the Circus Train and living on it but my computer is acting up

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Friday, January 27, 2017 8:00 AM

When you consider the number of Heritage fleet cars that are still in service, it would appear that Amtrak does not a real need for that big of a parts supply.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
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Posted by Phoebe Vet on Friday, January 27, 2017 8:27 AM

They would need to be totally gutted and rebuilt.  They have been customized, as cheaply as possible, to be traveling homes for hundreds of densly packed people and animals.  Probably not fiscally feasable. 

The flat cars might be useful to a low budget short line.

Dave

Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow

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Posted by CMStPnP on Friday, January 27, 2017 8:56 AM

I am not a RR engineering expert but I have my doubts you can make the assumption that the RB&BB Cars HEP is the same Amtrak uses.    I would guess the RB&BB train has a greater electrical draw than your average Amtrak train.

Also they are just shells and would need significant interior changes as well as probably window realignment as well.    Both are pretty expensive.    And after spending all that money you still have 50+ year old cars.

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Posted by D.Carleton on Friday, January 27, 2017 3:32 PM

CSSHEGEWISCH

When you consider the number of Heritage fleet cars that are still in service, it would appear that Amtrak does not a real need for that big of a parts supply.

Amtrak is not the only owner of heritage (little h) cars.

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Posted by BaltACD on Friday, January 27, 2017 4:08 PM

D.Carleton
CSSHEGEWISCH

When you consider the number of Heritage fleet cars that are still in service, it would appear that Amtrak does not a real need for that big of a parts supply.

Amtrak is not the only owner of heritage (little h) cars.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by D.Carleton on Friday, January 27, 2017 4:44 PM

BaltACD
D.Carleton
CSSHEGEWISCH

When you consider the number of Heritage fleet cars that are still in service, it would appear that Amtrak does not a real need for that big of a parts supply.

Amtrak is not the only owner of heritage (little h) cars.

I would add that RBBB has a comprehensive shop with tools and parts that car owners should be getting in line for.

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Posted by oltmannd on Saturday, January 28, 2017 7:42 AM

Amtrak is expanding their pet services.  Maybe they should expand to pet elephants?

 

-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/

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Posted by ROBERT WILLISON on Saturday, January 28, 2017 4:31 PM

I don't think Amtrak has any plans on keeping its remaining heritage fleet on the road. But their are hundreds still operating on short lines and in private car fleets that could use a part supply or perhaps additional cars. Just my thoughts.

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