I know what superliners and bi-levels are... but what are "step ups" please?
The car I am looking at is
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/85-4811
It looks like it would be compatible with bi-levels... is this correct?
TIA
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Dave,
Here are the different technologies:
Bi-Level - This is the 'gallery' commuter cars popular around the Chicago area, The upper level is not floored all the way across the car, as there would be no headroom clearance for folks walking in the first floor isle. These cars have standard height diaphrams for passenger pass-thru.
Hi-Level - These are the ATSF cars developed for the 'El Capitan' train. Full upper level, long distance service, and the diaphrams are on the second level. Coaches, diners, lounges, and Step-Up coaches were built.
Step-Up - These cars have 2nd level diaphrams on one end, and a stairs down to a a standard height diaphram on the other end. This allows tha cars to be an interface between Hi-Level and older single level cars. I believe Amtrak's order of SuperLiner II cars included some 'Step-Up' variations of their SuperLiner II coach.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
jrbernier wrote: Dave, Step-Up - These cars have 2nd level diaphrams on one end, and a stairs down to a a standard height diaphram on the other end. This allows tha cars to be an interface between Hi-Level and older single level cars. I believe Amtrak's order of SuperLiner II cars included some 'Step-Up' variations of their SuperLiner II coach. Jim
I believe all the Superliner "Step-ups" are Sleeping Cars, usually used as crew dorms. Called Transition Sleepers or Transition Dorms. This shot shows a good view of the different levels. The rest of the Superliner fleet has the car-to-car doors at the higher level. The lower door will align with the door height of the pre Amtrak streamlined cars.
http://www.hebners.net/Amtrak/amtSUPER/hiandlo0914.jpg
Nataraj wrote:csmith9474, all the transitions are used by the crew.
I actually have actually ridden on a coach dorm on the Sunset Limited. This was in the early 90s. About 1/3 of the car had crew accomodations, and the rest of the car had revenue pax seating. I am speaking purely of the ex Santa Fe hi level cars.
THE SANTA FE 'STEP UP' (or transition) HI-LEVEL CARS allowed Santa Fe crew members access to lower level 'Dormitory' cars, or later; for conductor access. to'combined' El Cap.- Super Chief's sleepers.
AMTRAK uses the ATSF HI-LEVEL cars for crew accomodations on the 'head end' of their western 'Super liner' consists - Since they don't use 'low level' Dormatory cars.
Don Gibson wrote: THE SANTA FE 'STEP UP' (or transition) HI-LEVEL CARS allowed Santa Fe crew members access to lower level 'Dormitory' cars, or later; for conductor access. to'combined' El Cap.- Super Chief's sleepers. AMTRAK uses the ATSF HI-LEVEL cars for crew accomodations on the 'head end' of their western 'Super liner' consists - Since they don't use 'low level' Dormatory cars.
I know as of a couple of years ago, hi level coaches were being used in Oklahoma in revenue passenger service (are they still being used there?). If you take a look at this link and scroll down towards the bottom....
http://www.hebners.net/amtrak/amtHILEV.html
...you will see photographs of Coach/Dormitories. I distincly remember riding in one of these because the ride was much better than the Superliners, and they had the swing doors instead of the sliding doors that the Superliners use. You also had to step down into them a bit because the hi level cars are lower than than the Superliners. I am not sure of the current disposition of the hi level transition cars, I was simply stating past experiences. I wasn't even aware that the hi level transition cars were still being used on long distance Superliner trains.
Thanks all for great help!
Am I right in thinking that the grills on the lower side/ends of these cars mean that they have HEP generators on board?
Dave-the-Train wrote: Thanks all for great help! Am I right in thinking that the grills on the lower side/ends of these cars mean that they have HEP generators on board? TIA
Speaking to the Superliners, no, the head end power generators would be in the locomotives. The area above the trucks on the lower level would be where you find the car's utilities such as air conditioning, water storage, power converters, etc. At least the air conditioners would require external grilles.
TomDiehl wrote: Dave-the-Train wrote: Thanks all for great help! Am I right in thinking that the grills on the lower side/ends of these cars mean that they have HEP generators on board? TIA Speaking to the Superliners, no, the head end power generators would be in the locomotives. The area above the trucks on the lower level would be where you find the car's utilities such as air conditioning, water storage, power converters, etc. At least the air conditioners would require external grilles.
The hi level cars did have generators in them. In the era of the car that you showed in the link (the Intermountain/TSP step up coach), the genset would have still been in place thus the exhaust stack on the car end. They were eventually removed. And same as mentioned about Superliners above, there was also the utilities, water, brake equipment, and so on.