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I have recently found out how I can own a private Coach with out going Bankrupt,, so I need some info about the policy Amtrak has for a Private Coach, so far I know that it has to have HEP, and it has to be "Amtrak Certifide", what does that mean, and how would you do that, It will be years before the money can be saved to perchase a Coach, but I am told that checking long before time on this subject is a good Idea, if anyone knows anything useful please post,
-Thank You-
------------------ JONATHON D. ORTIZ
Posts: 989 | From: DIAMOND BAR CA. U.S. | Registered: Nov 2003
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It's not just the cost of buying the coach, you also need to: (a) maintain it (b) pay for storage (c) pay $$$$ each time you want it tagged on the end of an Amtrak train
Keeping it Amtrak-certified means maintaining it to a high standard or rail-worthiness - it has to meet certain minimum standards. Just one example, the wheels need to be round. Easy? No - a bit of heavy braking, wheels lock up, and you have a flat tire that needs reprofiling. Mr Harris might be able to give more details.
Many private coaches are owned by groups of people for this reason. They organize several trips a year for paying guests in order to fund the cost of the car. You might want to look down this avenue as a cheaper alternative.
Geoff M.
Posts: 2426 | From: Apple Valley, CA | Registered: Sep 2000
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geoffm, All good points. I might add, JONATHON, that if you get a set of flat wheels on a coach, it cost $10,000 to replace one set of trucks.
Posts: 100 | From: Sacramento,CA | Registered: May 2003
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Current tariff is $1.25 per mile, plus various fees for switching etc.
Posts: 614 | From: Merchantville, NJ. USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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Coach (running) is 10 Grand at best! I think Amtrak charges a certain amount per mile like $2 or so (obviously you have to go far enough) also you must pay for storage in a yard. And it must be very safe for Amtrak to haul it.
------------------ --Anton L. pillsbury09@excite.com AIM: pillsburyMN
Posts: 1082 | From: Los Angeles, CA. USA | Registered: Aug 2003
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Unless you are VERY well to do, you CAN'T own a private car without going bankrupt. It is sad, but it is VERY expensive as others have talked about. I would say the insurance alone would put a lot of us in the poor house. If the car reaches the "40 year overhaul" point.... I hope you have a few houses to sell to pay for it.
good luck
Posts: 7 | From: San Diego, Ca, USA | Registered: May 2004
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You can rent! Still very expensive, but then the expenses listed above regarding ownership (e.g. storage, etc.) become a moot point. Go to www.aaprco.com and you can daydream about renting one of the privately owned cars someday. (AAPRCO = American Association of Private Railroad Car Owners) Remeber that the dome cars can't run in the east (into NYC anyway) and Amtrak won't switch except at a very limited number of cities. Daydream a little smaller and you might have a better shot of making your dream happen, especially if you can get a group together to share the cost.
Posts: 72 | Registered: Jul 2000
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There must be some that own private RR cars because there are at least 7 of them parked on rails (siding) next to Kingsley Avenue in Orange Park, Florida south of Jacksonville which I pass many times a month by car on errands. It always intrigues me that the private cars are so well maintained and downright beautiful. Access to the siding is not permitted except with permission. Anybody else know about it?
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Posts: 287 | From: Palatka, FL, USA | Registered: Feb 2004
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When I was on the Starlight I saw a car called, "Palm Leaf" pullman...What was this it was hauled on the end and when I woke up the next morning I decided to walk all the way through the coaches from my sleeper to see if it was still there but it was gone. Must have ditched it in Emmeryville.
------------------ --Anton L. pillsbury09@excite.com AIM: pillsburyMN
Posts: 1082 | From: Los Angeles, CA. USA | Registered: Aug 2003
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You will have to have away to contact with the crew like a radio or PA and another thing is Amtrak just put a newthing out saying that you "must" supply your own generator. Amtrak crews dont want to deal with it and it makes the train late and screws alot of s*it up.
Posts: 98 | From: Bakersfield, CA, USA | Registered: May 2004
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quote:Originally posted by CoastStarlight99: When I was on the Starlight I saw a car called, "Palm Leaf" pullman.
The Palm Leaf is an American Car & Foundry 10-6 (10 roomette, 6 bedroom), built in 1951. It was once part of the Super Chief, and was one of two ex-Santa Fe cars coupled to the LA-Seattle Coast Starlight when I took it two years ago.
During our "smoking stop" at San Luis Obispo, I wandered back along the platform to take a look. The cars were heading north with a group of tourists aboard, and were scheduled to be coupled to the rear of the Empire Builder for the run to Glacier Park.
The car's private conductor invited me onboard for a quick tour. Two of the roomettes had been converted to a shower and tiny galley. But the car was otherwise intact.
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