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I saw a train with the presidents colors on the point locomotive. It was painted like Air Force 1, President written on the side. And George Bush written on the side. well?
Southwest Chief Member # 1227
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It's a specially painted Union Pacific locomotive. See this link: UP Loco
CG96 Member # 1408
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Presidential movements are referred to as POTUS trains, with the First Lady being referred to as FLOTUS. Right now, there are no special train cars set aside for Presidential use. During the past twenty years, Presidential trains have used cars from museums, such as the former POTUS car Ferdinand Magellan, now the property of a museum in Florida, and cars from the business fleets of the freight railroads.
There is a book you might be interested in, titled "The President travels by Train: Politics and Pullmans," by Bob Withers (TLC Publishing, Lynchburg, VA, 1996). That will have information in which you might be interested.
gp35 Member # 3971
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quote:Originally posted by Southwest Chief: It's a specially painted Union Pacific locomotive. See this link: UP Loco
Yes, that is exactly what I saw today.
CoastStarlight99 Member # 2734
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I was actually just thinking about this the other day...
During Chris Guenzler's million mile slide show i recall a modern railcar apparently belonging to the President of the United States.
Can anyone confirm this? This is the first time I have seen this UP loco.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Anton, President Bush has no connection with that Private railcar even if it is painted in a livery similar to that of the B-747 that is usually designated Air Force One.
RRRICH Member # 1418
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The last Presidential train I saw was back in 1974 in Lansing, MI, when then-President Ford made a "whistle-stop" campaign tour around the country. But the cars on that train were mostly Amfleet (which were brand new then) -- I'll have to check my old slides, but the rear car had an observation platform where the President and First Lady came out to address the crowd, but I don't recall whether that was also Amfleet, or possibly one of the "POTUS" cars.
BTW, eventually (after my home computer comes out of the shop), I'll be adding some "Railroad Rich archive photos" of old trains from the 70's and 80's (including the presidential train) to my web site.
OK, so that was cheap and tacky way to plug my still under construction web site!!!!!! Please forgive me!......
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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quote:Originally posted by RRRICH: The last Presidential train I saw was back in 1974 in Lansing, MI, when then-President Ford made a "whistle-stop" campaign tour around the country. But the cars on that train were mostly Amfleet (which were brand new then) --
Likely you mean 1976 vice 1974, Mr. Rich.
President Ford ran unsuccessfully for election during 1976; first Amfleet revenue service was during October 1975.
CoastStarlight99 Member # 2734
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After some research on another forum I was able to locate this thread which contains a bit of info on the car which has been nick-named "Rail Force One".
I would guess by now the Presidential livery has been replaced with FEC's rather generic Blue.
RRRICH Member # 1418
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Gilbert - I stand corrected -- yes indeed the "Presidential train" I saw in Lansing was in 1976, not 1974.
--Railroad Rich
notelvis Member # 3071
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quote:Originally posted by RRRICH: Gilbert - I stand corrected -- yes indeed the "Presidential train" I saw in Lansing was in 1976, not 1974.
--Railroad Rich
I have a colleague who was a graduate student at Michigan State at that time. Being a history buff, he went down to the station and got pictures prominently showing President Ford on the rear platform. In the picture that hangs on my colleague's wall, the rear car is clearly an older business car from the era of what was not yet called 'Heritage Fleet'. The business car was painted platinum mist with the phase I Amtrak red and blue stripes.
Admittedly this photograph interested me for the business car in Amtrak livery rather than for the President of the United States.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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During the "Pioneer Days" era, which included when Gerry Ford was in office, Amtrak had an edict in place that any private car, including railroad owned business cars, WOULD be painted in Amtrak livery in order to be handled on Amtrak trains. This was even when Amtrak's own fleet still resembled a 'circus train'.
Obviously, they have since recanted from that position.
RRRICH Member # 1418
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David - your friend is probably in one of my slides.............
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