I was surfing the internet the other day and I found this picture. With the second thru the forth car being in a amtrak paint.http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2260634. Do you know what numbers they are. Thanks
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Secondly, "I don't know". Now I realize that is not exactly an answer anyone wants, but at first glance I would have thought ex-PRR "Congressional" Coaches, but those cars had number plates over each truck in the PRR tradition. They also appear to be heavily rebuilt with a window configuration other than "as delivered".
Posted by amtrak92 (Member # 14343) on :
Yes, I can't figure out the number. I know a few heritage coaches were in operation in 01. And this picture was taken a few days ago. These cars would run thru your area if they are based in Chicago, so do you think you might see them. They might be ex-congressional as they would look close to the same, except the windows. I couldn't explain the windows, but they might e ex-PRR.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
I'm next "going in' for the Symphony on Sat Oct 23 (the Bulls have lost Boozer, the Bears have lost Cutler; we've lost Muti), so I'll keep my "eyes peeled' passing 14th St as I always sit on the Engineer side inbound just for possible sightings that I can share here.
Posted by MDRR (Member # 2992) on :
I thought Amtrak had retired/disposed of all that equipment..My guess is this equipment is owned by museum and/or leasing company, thus I "doubt" you will see any of it in the 14th st yard.
Posted by Ocala Mike (Member # 4657) on :
Gil, you left out that you've also lost "Sweet Lou" Piniela. Don't worry, you've still got the Stanley Cup (Black Hawks), Deep Dish Pizza, and a reputation as the "Second City" that will never die.
Posted by Southwest Chief (Member # 1227) on :
They kind of look like the "Coach Handicapped" in the 7000-7005 series.
So they are likely now private cars.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Bingo, Mr. Doti; thanks for the more thorough research that I omitted.
Here is a photo of a PRR P-85 ("Congressional") Coach as delivered. Note that all windows, save the potty, are of uniform size.
Posted by amtrak92 (Member # 14343) on :
Nice, I have figured out these cars. They are owned by Arizona Transit Assembly, but leased by Amtrak, one is a sleeper, one is a coach, and one is a lounge.
Posted by MDRR (Member # 2992) on :
Amtrak92, I don't suppose you know what the Amtrak roster (car) numbers were for these cars, do you?
Thanks.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Apparently, the ex-PRR Coaches have now been liveried in Amtrak Phase IVb.
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
In the above link, if you click on "ATAX 800275", this is the PV "Sierra Hotel" (Dome). I suppose I'm a bit confused. Why is a PV listed in there?
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Give any of the other ATAX 800XXX cars a try, Mr.Smith.
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
Not sure I follow, Gil. I see that there are other cars with the same maroon stripe down the side. What am I supposed to be seeing?
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
The oversized window configuration as appearing in the photo links submitted by Amtrak 92.
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
Okay, I'm completely lost. That's okay. I see the PV Sierra Hotel in there, and a bunch of other cars. Beyond that, I guess the discussion has gone over my head.
Posted by MDRR (Member # 2992) on :
Thanks for the link Mr Norman.
Posted by ehbowen (Member # 4317) on :
Smitty - the "800XXX" number series is assigned by Amtrak to private cars which have been certified to operate in Amtrak trains. The "ATAX" is the AAR designator for Arizona Transit Assembly, which registers the car. You may also see these cars with "RPCX" or "PPCX" AAR designators, which are designators for the Railroad Passenger Car Alliance or the American Association of Private Railroad Car Owners , respectively.
In order to operate on the North American rail network, each piece of rolling stock must bear a registered reporting mark (and an UMLER tag and its accompanying electronic info, which I won't go into here). Since the hurdles (and costs) are high to establish your own private (non-railroad) reporting mark, most private car owners contract with one of these agencies to register their cars officially. As I said above, Amtrak assigns an "800XXX" number to cars which meet their standards for operation in an Amtrak train, so these car registrars normally use that number for Amtrak-certified cars. If your private car is not Amtrak certified you may still register it with a number of the registrar's choosing. Then it can be operated in interchange service, although not in Amtrak trains.