RAILforum: Questions about Train Numbers

This is topic Questions about Train Numbers in forum Amtrak at RAILforum.

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Posted by skinsfan31 (Member # 910) on :

Does anyone know how Amtrak assigns train numbers? Are they randomly picked, or do they have historical or geographical significance?

What is the origin of the Texas Eagle and Kentucky Cardinal styles of numbering, where a train has number 21, as an offshoot of train 1, the Sunset Limited, or 850, an offshoot of 50, the Cardinal?

Does anyone know of anywhere where there is a complete list of Amtrak train numbers from its entire history. I know of very few uncurrent train numbers, amounting to:
15, Lone Star South
16, Lone Star North
25, Pioneer West
26, Pioneer East
35, Desert Wind West
36, Desert Wind East
819, Gulf Breeze South
820, Gulf Breeze North

All these trains were discontinued by 1997, when the Desert Wind made its last run.

Would anyone be interested in a database of all Amtrak trains by number, termini, routes, typical consist, or some such thing? Perhaps one could be set up.

Chuck

Posted by Eric (Member # 674) on :

Chuck,
Amtrak train numbering, I suppose, is more "geographical" than anything else.
Trains travelling North and/or East are even- numbered.
Trains travelling South and/or West are odd- numbered.

A few examples:
Train 3 (SW Chief) runs Southwest.
Train 4 (SW Chief) runs Northeast.

Train 7 (E Builder) runs West.
Train 8 (E Builder) runs East.

Train 14 (C Starlight) runs North.
Train 11 (C Starlight) runs South.

I'm not sure about your other question, but I hope this helps!

Eric

[This message has been edited by Eric (edited 11-07-2001).]

Posted by Steve Dunham (Member # 924) on :

The transcontinental routes west of the Mississippi were numbered south to north--that is, the southernmost route, the Sunset Ltd., was given numbers 1 and 2; the Southwest Chief, 3 and 4; the San Francisco Zephyr, 5 and 6; the Empire Builder, 7 and 8; and the North Coast Hiawatha, 9 and 10.

Many numbers were inherited from the previous operating railroads, and others followed one system or another--for example, the Metroliners were given numbers in the low 100's, and connecting trains usually got numbers in the 400's.

Amtrak: The First Decade, by Bruce Goldberg, contained a 19-page list of train names and their numbers up to 1981. I have a copy of the book, and if you can't find it yourself I could copy those pages for you. If your screen name indicates that you are Washington Redskins fan (my condolences) maybe you aren't that far away, and I could lend you the whole book. I live in Spotsylvania, VA, and work in Arlington.

------------------
Steve Dunham
Literalman@aol.com
http://www.stevedunham.50megs.com/

Posted by Geoff Mayo (Member # 153) on :

I'm in the process of compiling a database of train consists, more for tracking particular cars to see where they go, but this could be extended as it's a standard database. A *very rough* start has been made on http://www.simsig.co.uk/amtrak

Geoff M.

Posted by Eric (Member # 674) on :

Good luck Geoff!

Posted by CHATTER (Member # 1185) on :

>>Would anyone be interested in a database of all Amtrak trains by number, termini, routes, typical consist, or some such thing? Perhaps one could be set up.<<

Such a page alradu exists, at least to a considerable extent.
http://www.railforum.com/cgi-bin/postings.cgi?action=reply&forum=Amtrak&number=11&topic=000216.cgi&TopicSubject=Questions+about+Train+Numbers

Posted by thedaytheystoppedthetrain (Member # 1115) on :

Chatter, when I click on the link, it takes me to a "Reply" page for this thread.

Posted by CHATTER (Member # 1185) on :

Sorry, I entered the wrong link. Here is the correct one:
http://broadway.pennsyrr.com/Rail/Amtk/routes.html