Hello everyone! I was wondering what are the shortest Amtrak trains that you have heard of. Also, what is this train at the top of the TRAINS site and where does it run. Thanks in advance!
The Washington DC section of the National Limited apparently ran a lot with one engine and one car from Harrisburg to Washington DC. Many times the engine was even a GG1.
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
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How about a two car RDC or SPV2000 train from New Haven to Springfield? That's the shortest I've seen. The shortest I've ridden was the 9PM departure from GCT to Albany-Rensselaer in the mid-70s. Two coaches and an E8.
-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/)
I've always assumed that the train in the Trains banner was the Portland section of the Empire Builder. Bit don't know for sure. Could it have been the Pioneer?
oltmannd I've always assumed that the train in the Trains banner was the Portland section of the Empire Builder. Bit don't know for sure. Could it have been the Pioneer?
I asked Trains Customer Service to identify the train in the banner. The answer that I received in an email is the Seattle section of the Empire Builder.
It seems to me that TRAINS told us, at the time the banner went up, that it was the Portland section of the Builder. Four cars -- two coaches, a sleeper and the lounge -- would be consistent with my experience on the Builder.
dakotafred It seems to me that TRAINS told us, at the time the banner went up, that it was the Portland section of the Builder. Four cars -- two coaches, a sleeper and the lounge -- would be consistent with my experience on the Builder.
I rode the Builder from Milwaukee to Portland in 2007. The train split at Spokane. The Portland section was as you described it. My train had two locomotives from Chicago to Spokane. Only one locomotive ran through to Portland, whilst the other ran through to Seattle.
Shortest Amtrak train that I've seen was the "Loop" between Springfield and Chicago, ex-Metroliner cab coach, coach and F40PH. Longest train that I've seen was the "Pennsylvanian" at CUS at Christmas time, two coaches, snack bar, followed by lots of express boxes and Roadrailers. It was on track 28/19 waiting for its 6:00 AM departure.
Do specials count, or only scheduled?
http://youtu.be/X2jU5sSt3io
I was on this train. 3 engines and 25 cars.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
The photo in question is the Portland section of the Empire Builder, westbound, in eastern Washington. It more commonly runs with just one unit and three cars.
In the early days of Amtrak, occasionally a single RDC, later a single Budd SPV, was used as a train between New Haven and Springfield, connecting with Boston - Washington or Boston - NY trains at New Haven. On a few occasions, the RDC or SPV actually provided through service cutting off from the back of the Boston train at New Haven. I saw this.
What about the 1941-1942 Budd-built Rio Grande Prospector? It was not the shortest (obviously it's hard to beat 1 car like a solo RDC or SPV-2000!), and was a not-terribly-successful predecessor to Bodd's RDC. But I think it is one of the most interesting trains ever, because it had nearly everything a railroad has to offer, in a 2-car package.
It was a 2-unit DMU (as we would call it today). If I understand it correctly, the lead unit unit had the cab, propulsion, a baggage/RPO section, and coach seating. The trailing unit had sleeping accomodations (both sections & compartments), a diner section with galley, and a round-end lounge/observation.
In the 1970s I rode the Charlottesville-Newport News section of the James Whitcomb Riley, which was one locomotive (probably E8?) and one coach. It split from the main section of the train which ran between Chicago and Washington on most of what is now the route of the Cardinal.
But the locomotive and one coach is still longer than one self-propelled Budd car/ And the Prospector diesel set did not make it to Amtrak, but was retired near the beginning of WWII and replaced by a convenitonal train. Also it was a two-car set.
Quite right, Dave, on both counts! (A) You can't beat ONE as an answer, as in the RDC (unless "UPTeen23" meant the question to be about conventional locomotive + cars consists, at which point the 1-car trains described are also interesting answers.
(B) Of course the Prospector didn't come anywhere near Amtrak days. But when talking about short trains, I was just so struck by it as a very short all-in-one train, I just felt I had to throw it into the discussion!
When Amtrak started SOU did not join. They ran the Southern Crescent, also an Asheville - Salisbury train with 2 or 3 coaches including their dome, and a continuation of the Birmingham special WASH - Lynchburg.(LYNCHBURG -Bristol died on Amtrak day) The Lynchburg train was run with 1 FP and a single heavy weight coach (coach was a 70 footer and FP was not too long. Probably the shortest train after AMTRAK started although not run by AMTRAK. Southbound left WASH about 3:00 PM.
If my memory serves me, the Lynchburg train operated on most of its run buried between the power and cars of a scheduled freight. It operated separately only between the yard and the passenger terminal.
I recall seeing a photo of the "Heartland Flyer" in Oklahoma a few years back with one locomotive (can't recall type) and two hi level coaches (former Santa Fe, not Superliner).
CSSHEGEWISCH If my memory serves me, the Lynchburg train operated on most of its run buried between the power and cars of a scheduled freight. It operated separately only between the yard and the passenger terminal.
Rode train twice from Wash - Charlottesville, . It was the short FP-7 with single 1001 series heavy weight coach. no other cars . Somewhat shorter than CVS - Norfolk Amtraker with E unit and stainless steel coach. Even if it had been a mixed it would only have been from POT yard south.
Any chance there is a train with a P42 followed by a coach, a diner, and lastly a lounge?
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