HEADS UP to any midwestern Amtrak fans !! I believe that the PV former SP "AIRSLIE" **IS** on Amtrak train 4 SW Chief of June 21, 2010 (MONDAY). This is according to this discussion thread from westcoastrailforums dot com: http://www.westcoastrailforums.com/thread-3390.html
I just heard the BNSF 32.0 Detector at 7:49PM PDT 6-21-10 give a 5-0 or 50 AXLE count for Amtrak Train 4 on Main Track 2. This milepost 32.0 location is between ESPERANZA and PRADO DAM in the Santa Ana Canyon area in the Los Angeles Basin (Socal). The usual axle count for Amtrak train 4 is normally 44 Axles. If you add two 3 axle sets (6 total axles) to the regular 44 axles you get 50 axles. This radio traffic was heard via the "ORANGE COUNTY" feed at www.railroadradio.net.
So happy trails to you Airsle !! It was very enjoyable knowing you here in California !! --- Daniel
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
The third of three magnificent business cars ordered in the 1920's from Pullman which were the acme of the then car builders art. #100 Airslie was delivered 5/29/1926 at a cost of $81,592.03 (lots of money for 1926) and assigned to the Board Chairman Henry Wheeler DeForrest (with offices in New York). The car was regularly stationed on the private car tracks of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York while the Board Chairman's offices were in that city. DeForrest had the car named for his family's hunting lodge in Scotland, "Airslie". -- Bob Pecotich
It appears that no one at the other discussion site referenced addresses if the car is on the head or rear of #4(21) consist and if the latter, properly pointed or otherwise.
Oh well, guess I'll just have to get trackside tomorrow to find out for myself.
Posted by Dakguy201 (Member # 10360) on :
Pictures now have appeared of the train. It is on the rear, and orientated properly
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
Doesn't the Niles Canyon Railway have a car very similar to this? (Niles Canyon is located near Fremont, California).
Posted by daniel3197 (Member # 27) on :
Does anyone know which TRAIN the AIRSLIE will interchange to in Chicago IL????????????? Pretty PLEASE--PLEASE--Please (with sugar on it !!! ) I understand that this car is enroute to someplace in the state of South Carolina. That would of course, require another Amtrak move BEYOND Chicago IL.
By the way the similar looking former SP Business Car at Niles Canyon Railway is the former "SP 141 OAKLAND. This webpage from GGRM has more photos:
This is the best info I can find at this point on the internet about the "SP 141 Oakland" . I do hope that many SP historians and other folks get to see this car TOMORROW (TUES 6-23-10) as it passes thru the states of MO, IA and IL.
This historic car should be visible on the LA PLATA MO Trainweb Railcams just after 9:40 AM CENTRAL TIME early Weds 6-23-10. This will require a rather early morning for those us in California tomorrow 6-23.
---- Daniel
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
Thanks for the information, Daniel. The interior of the SP 141 looks to be in beautiful condition.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
At another site, there is a report that Airslie is consigned to the Lancaster & Chester. The report further states that #79 Csrolinian would be used to handle the car Wash-Charlotte; thence as freight by NS to Chester SC.
There was no report regarding which train, 30 or 50, would handle the car CHI-WAS.
I've seen the car in the past; however I just may make it my business to be trackside (.02mi from my home) for the passing of #4(21).
Posted by palmland (Member # 4344) on :
The L&C shops are just up the road. Might have to check it out. Bob Willetts, manager of L&C's niche business of passenger car repairs was on the AARPCO (Private Car Owners) special that came through town a few months ago. I believe he was a speaker at the AARPCO convention in Savannah.
The L&C bought a portion of a NS branch line that goes from Charlotte to a paper mill. South of that mill (no L&C access), the L&C acquired the line down to the small towns of Lancaster (where it connects back to their original line to Chester - NS, CSX I/C) and Kershaw. About 30 years ago, the line continued through my town of Camden then reconnected to the mainline south of Columbia.
While they handle many private cars into their facilities, including charter trips, all passengers must board in Charlotte - a freight move L&C Lancaster-Chester-NS-Charlotte. I suspect that's more than you want to know.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
When L&C completes the work on Airslie, will Gypsy Rose Lee be there for the "unveiling".
Last time I checked, she was Vice President-Unveiling for the L&C.
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
Okay, dumb question, but....is the name of the car pronounced like it looks? Or is it "Ar lyle"?
Posted by daniel3197 (Member # 27) on :
Hmmm I just saw Amtrak Train 4 depart LAP La Plata MO at 10:46 AM CT (8:46 AM - PT here in CALIF) 6-23-10. The SP PV - AIRSLIE has been REMOVED--REMOVED--PULLED from the consist. DARN IT!!! I was hoping the AIrslie would continue with the train into Chicago but NO I presume this AIRSLIE PV was PULLED from Amtrak Train 4 (21) in Kansas CIty MO KCY.
--- Daniel
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Thanks for the heads up, Daniel. Maybe some of our KC area residents can get a heads up if Airslie is sitting at KCUS. I can't imagine that they will be handling the car in consist of a River Runner to St Louis, which leads me to speculate if the car was Bad Ordered and had to be set out. If that be the case, there is no assurance it is in KC.
Airslie = Airs'LEE
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
quote:Originally posted by Gilbert B Norman:
Airslie = Airs'LEE
Okay...I was WAY off.
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
Here is the routing of the Airslie (copied off another website):
<<<The routing is Kansas City, St. Louis, Chicago, Washington DC, Charlotte NC.>>>
Posted by daniel3197 (Member # 27) on :
Smitty I saw that routing off of that other well known website the other day. That routing does not seem to make sense to me. Why pull the Airslie OFF in Kansas City to run thru St Louis (RETURN) to (THRU) Chicago then east to Wash DC then North Carolina. I would think if that routing was accurate the point would be to AVOID Chicago for some reason. Perhaps someone needs to check (inspect) the Car in KC or St Louis before it goes any further ???? There has got to be more to this story than we know now. I hope the full story about this move and routing can be told publicly sometime. I would certainly find it very informative and enlightening. --- Daniel
quote:Originally posted by smitty195: Here is the routing of the Airslie (copied off another website):
<<<The routing is Kansas City, St. Louis, Chicago, Washington DC, Charlotte NC.>>>
Posted by daniel3197 (Member # 27) on :
An FYI for those still following this historic Amtrak train , this SAME Amtrak Train 4 of the 21st just cleared the Defect Detector at MP 27.2 at 1:27PM PT (3:27PM Central Time) on the BNSF CHICAGO Subdivision (RACETRACK). This is the same train that HAD the former SP PV AIRSLIE on the rear: "BNSF Detector milepost 27.2 - MAIN 3 - NO DEFECTS--NO DEFECTS Total Axles 44 " !!!
At 1:30 PM PT (3:30 PM CT) the BNSF DS told Amtrak Train 4 they will arrive CHICAGO Union Station on Track 18 for EAST side unloading.
---- Daniel
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Observed #4(21) passing MP 18.32 today and running about half hour late; Airslie was NOT in consist.
Posted by amtrak92 (Member # 14343) on :
quote:Originally posted by Gilbert B Norman: At another site, there is a report that Airslie is consigned to the Lancaster & Chester. The report further states that #79 Csrolinian would be used to handle the car Wash-Charlotte; thence as freight by NS to Chester SC.
I know Bob who runs the restorations in Lancaster. Maybe I can shoot him an email and ask him which cars they have on the property.
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
From that same website I copied/pasted from earlier, here's more confirmation of the route that the Airslie is taking:
<<<SP "AIRSLIE" was the last car on AMTRAK 316 through Lees Summit, MO, Wednesday. Great looking car! Headed on to St.Louis, then on the Chicago and finally to North Carolina for rebuild.. >>>
I can't believe they're doing this during the hot/humid days of summer with no a/c!! It must be boiling hot inside that car.