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Hi again everyone. Thanks for all your replies on my other posts. Have one other question. Does anyone know how the SWC is laid out? Are sleeping compartments seperated by dining? Observatory cars are located where? Sleepers in front or back of train? Just curious. Thanks in advance.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Usual consist #3
3 P-42 locomotives (3rd unit sometimes B-32) Baggage T-Dorm in crew service Sleeper 0331 Sleeper 0330 Diner Lounge Coach 0310 Coach 0311 Coach 0312 2-3 Express Trak Cars
The Diner is always placed next to the Sleepers on the Chief
amtrakwine Member # 4265
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I thought that they were down to 2 locomotives since Amtrak got out of the express freight buisines. Do they still run the express trak cars?
PaulB Member # 4258
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Amtrak couldn't get out of a particular contract involving the ExpressTrak reefers. So you will see them in regular service for some time.
The Southwest Chief is usually 3 locomotives. With 2 locomotives, if one broke down, the other couldn't handle the train, and BNSF got tired of supplying rescue engines.
CoastStarlight99 Member # 2734
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Usually the westbound #3 Chiefs have about 3 ExpressTrak cars. I have never seen them on #4 eastbound.
George Harris Member # 2077
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quote:Originally posted by CoastStarlight99: Usually the westbound #3 Chiefs have about 3 ExpressTrak cars. I have never seen them on #4 eastbound.
Unless they are all making a one way trip to China until the last one is gone, they gotta get back east somehow.
sbalax Member # 2801
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On my last trip LAX/ABQ on the SWC my sleeper was the last car on the train, behind all of the coaches and in front of two or three freight cars. It was a long walk to the diner.
Frank in cool, sunny SBA
PaulB Member # 4258
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Yes, that's the 332/432 car if I remember correctly. Amtrak freed up a few sleeping cars, so they can run 3 sleeping cars on certain sets of the Southwest Chief. My mom and I were in that car on our way out to Chicago. It was a bit of a walk through 3 coaches and the lounge, but the good thing was it was isolated and quiet back there. It was also a Superliner I, which I like much better than the II's.
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