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This may sound like asking why the sky is blue, but I have always wondered why Amfleet cars are round, as opposed to rectangular like most passenger cars. It doesn't seem to have anything to do with better aerodynamics.
efin98 Member # 1943
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I read somewhere that it was Amtrak's attempt to emmulate the airliners of the late 70s(and to possibly steal some passenger from them too!)
rresor Member # 128
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Amfleet cars were designed by the Budd Company, not Amtrak. The body shell was originally developed for the self-propelled Metroliner equipment that entered service in 1969 between New York and Washington.
When Amtrak needed new cars *fast* in 1974, Budd had the body shells already designed, and so we've been looking at the 1967 prototype Metroliner for 35 years now.
Budd designed the cars as tubes for two reasons:
1) curved-side cars provide greater width where passengers need it -- at hips and shoulders -- while still fitting next to high level platforms etc.
2) Budd and Pennsylvania Railroad wanted something that looked different from existing cars.
That's all there is to it.
Mr. Toy Member # 311
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I rode Amfleet cars on the Metroliner once way back in 1976. As I recall, they had the same general layout as streamline coaches still in use at the time, including rest room layouts. But because of the curved roof they felt more cramped.
------------------ Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth. -Mr. Toy
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I remember hearing way back when that it was intentional to make them look like airliners also. Maybe that was just a reporter's imagination.
Konstantin Member # 18
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Those who have read this board for a while probably remember my complaints about the Lake Shore Limited over a year ago. I complained about the terrible service, but also about the poor quality equipment. The Lake Shore Limited still used Amfleet cars, and I did not like them at all. I will agree with Mr. Toy, they feel quite cramped. I don't know where the idea of small windows came from either, maybe also to be more like an airplane, but the small windows are bad. I am glad to be one of the people who live out west with the Superliners, they are far superior to the Amfleet cars.
------------------ Elias Valley Railroad (N-scale) www.geocities.com/evrr
atsf3751 Member # 1538
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The San Diegans used to be all-Amfleet equipped. I remember many a ride on the old Amtubes, and agree - they do seem cramped, especially when you don't get a window seat. They were also rather dark and never very clean. The new Surfliner cars are much lighter and arier, and more of a pleasure to ride.
The reason why I wanted to know why they are round is because it always struck me as odd that the railroad didn't stick with a tried-and-true design, but came up with supposedly more "modern" cars that looked strange on the outside and were not so well designed on the inside. Perhaps they wanted to give the passengers the full airline experience - a tubular body and a cramped interior!
john1082 Member # 2068
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The tubular design would give more room at the shoulders while staying within high level platform constraints. The small windows would be safer when up against urban pitchers (rock throwers) as there would be less surface area to break / damage. This was before the FRA called for windows made of Kryptonite - or whatever it is that is tougher than Superman! aka FRA glazing.
wheels of steel Member # 1332
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Hello, I really love the design of the amfleet, I wondered why they didn't make diner's and sleepers that would have look good on a full set on the earlier palmetto New York-Savannah and Silver Service of the late 70's and 80's peaceeeeeeeeeeee
Amtrak207 Member # 1307
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What's so bad about amfleet cars? Do you expect them to be scrapped just because they're cramped in the 84 seat configuration (compare to an airplane..) and ride on air springs? Sorry folks, you are spoiled out west with a state that pays for at least part of its corridor service. My comment on the LSL four years ago was that an amfleet II coach (with bigger windows, mind you) rides better than our family car at 79. Yeah, that was on CSX track too. Although my opinions of the track changed drastically this summer, the equipment soldiers on. How many miles do you think an amfleet coach has on it, being 25 years old? Superliners will inherently ride better because they weigh more and there is more space between you and the rails. Also, their suspension has been upgraded. They get the job done. Sure there are a lot of better railcars, but thanks to lawyers, we can't use heritage coaches anymore.
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