hmmm...about those Superliner passenger cars.........

[Kozzie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jeaton

I am taking the SW Chief for a ride this weekend and will take a closer look.

It is possible that a transition car was at the back of the train. Normally the consist is engines, bagggage (usually single level heritage cars), transition car, sleepers, diner, sightseer lounge, coaches and then those damn express boxes or roadrailers that only block the view from the rear window of the last passenger car. I have seen a Superliner consist reversed and that does not pose any special problems. However, the express cars always have to be at the rear as they aren't equiped to handle HEP.

Jay

Hey Jay - all I can say is I'm jealous...a ride on the SW Chief sounds like a good weekend. How far will you go on the trip? (Does the SW Chief connect LA with Chicago?)

Dave

[jeaton]

I am taking the SW Chief for a ride this weekend and will take a closer look.

It is possible that a transition car was at the back of the train. Normally the consist is engines, bagggage (usually single level heritage cars), transition car, sleepers, diner, sightseer lounge, coaches and then those damn express boxes or roadrailers that only block the view from the rear window of the last passenger car. I have seen a Superliner consist reversed and that does not pose any special problems. However, the express cars always have to be at the rear as they aren't equiped to handle HEP.

Jay

[M636C]

Dave,

The Dash8-32BWH looks like a Dash8-40BW, but has a 12 cylinder engine instead of a 16 cylinder, and has a HEP generator to provide train power. It is modelled by Walthers in their Trainline series. The "Pepsi can" scheme had broad red and blue stripes on a black and silver body.

And I can't find the Amtrak planbook!

Peter

[Kozzie]

Peter, was a Dash 8-32BWH a loco of that class specifically configured/designed for passsenger service?

Jay and Kevin, thanks for the info. So I wonder what car that is at the end of the "Coast Starlight" in that photo....maybe some of the California people on the Forum that have taken that train might help us....

Dave

[FThunder11]

I took some pictures (not online sry) of the california Zephyr this weekend, and I have 2 pics specifically of the Diaphragm, and these ones were only connecting the upper level

[jeaton]

Dave

The Superliners with the step down are called transition cars, and have sleeping accomadations for the on board crews and the step downs on one end. I think the rooms are in the Superliner Standard Bedroom configuration but I could be wrong. I also think I read somewhere that some of the rooms are being sold to passengers when the regular sleepers are sold out.

Jay

[M636C]

My model is supposed to be the "Desert Wind", which I saw running over Cajon Pass a couple of times. I have an Dash8-32BWH in "Pepsi Can" colours and an F40PH in Phase III. My train is all in Phase IV colours, but my photos show a mix of III and IV.
None of the Canberra Newsagents stock air mail copies of Trains. I pick those up in Big Cities like Sydney, when I'm there! I'll check my Amtrak car plans, though!

Peter

[Kozzie]

Thanks Peter. As a fellow Aussie, now you know I splurged and bought the Airfreight copy of the Nov issue..I'm busted! (Confession: heh heh.....I first had a browse at the newsstand, then asked Ed some questions about the map of Houston. To help me get the full import of Ed's replies, which were very informative, I decided to buy the airfreight copy so that I could study the map of Houston.)

If you have a browse at your local newsagent you'll see the photo I'm referring to...

Peter, it sounds like you're running an ex-Santa Fe name passenger train?

Dave

[M636C]

Dave,

Superliners have to couple to standard cars sometimes. A few of them were built with steps at one end and a standard height corridor connection. Walthers make a model of this, so I bought one so I could use the Bachmann full length Dome until I found a Superliner lounge. My HO passengers have to be able to go between cars!

I don't recall the diaphragm arrangement you describe, but I'll check it out and get back to you.

This arrangement would prevent damage to the diaphragm of a standard baggage car coupled to a Superliner, if access to the baggage car wasn't necessary, and a "step down" car wasn't available.

Some Santa Fe "High Level" cars were built with step down ends, as well by the way!

Peter

[Kozzie]

This question would probably only come from someone not living in the U.S. but...up until now, I had assumed that access between Superliner cars was only through the full height doors in line with the upper levels. However, after looking at the photo of the Coast Starlight pausing at San Luis Obispo station (on page 13 of Nov Trains Mag), I was wondering, [:I] (here he goes again!...[:0] [;)] [:)]) , it looks like there is a reduced height connecting door (maybe for crew access?) below the upper level door. The diaphragm continues down to just above coupler height, so that helped me wonder about this.....[:I][:I]....hmmmmmm.........[;)][:)]

Dave