Great shots all! Mike - It looks like you caught another one today! I wish that I could have went out again but work just happened to get in my way. Ben
Amtrak #5 I was lucky enough to railfan with Mike this weekend. We set up for Amtrak #5 from a pedestrian bridge and here are some of my departure shots. Ok Mike your up! Ben
Compliments & question Those are useful shots, Ben & Mike ... has anyone ever noted the Material Handling Cars in a passenger consist? ... My Superliner set (N-scale) was bought w/pair of those ... after watching service through my home town, I noted that only the long, low baggage car is ever used ... how 'bout some Railfanning expertise to this issue ... thanks, any help ... :tb-wink:
Thanks! Thanks! I really do not have the expertise to answer your question but I am sure one of our other members will. Ben
Well I don't quite understand your question. As of right now all that are being transported in consist is the baggage cars. They are all old heritage fleet cars at least 50+ years old. Some are converted coaches with the roll up doors. The last car other than a baggage car to run on the zephyr was an Express trak and those stopped in 2006. The material handling box cars haven't been used since Amtrak got rid of the mail contract and they don't haul express really much any more. Some stations still accept express so they do have some in the baggage cars. SLC does not due to space limitations at the triple wide trailer they have for a station. Hope this helps. Also as note, the box cars were placed behind the engines, they had HEP run through them. The Express Trak reefers did not have HEP run through them so they were always placed on the rear.
:thumbs_up: Well, you certainly did understand my post ... my little MHC's are immediately banished to yard traks and my beat up old Con-Cor baggagers will be in their place right behind my P42's ... Could ask 100's more questions, but I am a "bear of little brain" and that's enough for today ...
I did get to play with one of the box cars back east in 2005. Great for training new hires on how to switch cars, tie down cars, etc...
Just thought I'd add these from the passenger point of view. These were taken last July (2009) at "smoker" stops on the westbound Empire Builder. First one at Havre, Montana, second at Wishram, Washington.
My first digital photo, and still one of my favorites. The F40PH, what an awesome locomotive, and one I have many great memories of growing up.
My "oldies" :teeth: pic #1 W/B Empire Builder, Shelby MT 1992 pic #2 N/B Mount Ranier, Tacoma WA 1995 pic #3 S/B Coast Starlight, Tacoma WA 1995 pic #4 N/B F40PH #254, Tacoma WA 1995 pic #5 E/B Empire Builder, Interbay WA 2002
I found this shot of an Amtrak Pepsi Can in service with MetroLink in the 1990's right after the line to Lancaster, CA was completed. Interesting paint scheme. :tb-biggrin:
