Noticed an interesting consist on the new "Heartland Flyer" between Ft. Worth and O.K. City--at first it appears to be about 3 cars set up push-pull, with an engine at each end, but then I noticed some type of baggage door cut into one of the units, and it's engine not operating (taken out?). Appears that this unit is used for control purposes only, with its insides used as a baggage car. Anyone else see this? Seems like an interesting prototype for modelers who lack turning facilities for their trains.
What you saw is referred to as a "cabbage car". It's a former F40 with the engine removed, most of these have baggage compartments in the former engine room and retain control stands for push/pull operation. Cabbage cars are a somewhat sad sight for those of us who are fans of the F40, but at least they are still around in some form. ------------------ Andy's Amtrak Photos
If you want to see lots of those, go stand by the tracks where the Hiawatha's run between Milwaukee and Chicago...Every train there has an operation locomotive and a cabbage car! Dave Serves the South Southern Railway
The locomotive you are refering to is #90229. This is a "cabbage" ex F40 229. Then engine has been removed and the fuel tank filled with cement. If you look real close at this and #358 & #374 you will see and Oklahoma flag on the battery box covers. For more information and pics of this guy, please visit my web site @ http://home.mmcable.com/rherendeen
The cab cars we use in the Pacific NW are different from these. Besides being painted in the cascade paint scheme. The units here have had the fuel tanks removed and just have side walls added plus they do not have the side doors for baggage. Maybe these newer cab cars are better riding, the ones we use are a Chiropractors dream. It's hard to stay in the seat being bounced all over the place.
