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Want to see the most bizarre RDC ever? See "Trains" 2/89 pgs 26-29. NYC converted an RDC3 built in 1953 (and the first of three RDC3s purchased by the NYC) to jet power using two GEJ47 engines mounted on the roof, streamlined the rear of the train with a 'shovel nose- like' fairing and ran the unit 'backwards' -pass. compartment became front of car. Engines were at new 'front' of RDC and the nacale they were mounted in looks for all the world like it came right off a B47. NYC built this contraption for $30,000 as a response to the US Commerce Dept. push for the RR industry to explore hi-speed rail as an alternative to the highway system as a better people mover. The 'Metroliner M.U. cars developed by Budd and the PRR, as well as the gas-turbine 'Turbo Trains' developed by Pullman and United Aircraft, were projects driven by the US Commerce Dept.'s reaction to a mid '60s MIT study group's report. Consensus of opinion believes NYC"s participation was more to prove that existing Northeast Corridor track/roadbed was okay for high speed service and that there wasn't any serious thought given to actually use a jrt powered railcar. Others felt it was but a publicity stunt. And this was in an era at the NYC when they wanted out of the people hauling end of the business. Go figure. On July 23-24, 1966 the NYC tested this 'railcar' on a 24 mile long straight and level stretch of 'barely adequate 26 year old 127-lb non-welded rail slated for replacement' according to NYC engineering. Test site was between Butler, Ind. and Stryker, Ohio. This wierd bugger ran a verified 183.7 mph! This RDC was numbered M-497 and nick-named the "Black Beetle". The test was considered a success, in that it proved that the US rail system could operate high speed trains safely over conventional rail (and even through switches) that weren't even up to 1966 NYC mainline standards. M-497 was converted back to an RDC3 (with the obvious removal of the twin J47 engines), was returned to commuter service out of Harmon, N.Y. and was retired in the late '70s. For yet another bit of trivia, the NYC used similar J47 engines that were mounted on flat cars for snow removal service in the same timeframe. According to the "Trains" article, early RDCs were powered by a pair of underfloor Detroit Diesel 6V-110 engines rated at 275 hp each that drove the inside axles of each truck thru Allison torque converters (like that component in an automatic transmission that enhances acceleration, etc.), short drive shafts and Spicer gearboxes. These were probably adapted from large highway trucks or buses of the era. RDC production units starting in 1956 were upgraded to 300 hp engines through the end of the 398 unit production run in 1962.
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