Questions on train cars I saw in Florida and Washington

[Mystic River Dragon]

I arrived in Philly today on 98. I am writing up my trip report, but meanwhile, I have some questions on specific cars.

I saw the diner car Indianapolis go by when I was in Winter Park (I think on 91). Is that the prototype diner? If so, why was it in Florida? Is it going around the country so all the crews can have a chance to work on it?

Speaking of dining cars, we had the same one on 91 down and 98 up--a very nice dark green color for the seats and curtains, and very comfortable. Does anyone know the vintage of this? I managed to get the car number this time, if that helps--it is 8510.

Finally, across the platform from us at WAS was a car with the name Pacific Cape--does anyone know what that car is?

Thanks very much for any insights.

 

[CCC1007]

I believe that pacific cape is an executive sleeper, and a single level dinner can go on any single level long distance route.

 

[J-1 3235]

Amtrak Diner 8510 was built for Chicago, Bulrington, and Quincy, as number 193, in 1948. The CB&Q named the car "Silver Cafe", and at one point in it's life it served on the California Zephyr.

Thanks to the good people at OTOL and Chicagorailfan.com for posting this information.

 

[FormerOBS]

Most or all Amtrak cars with a "Pacific" prefix are 10-6 sleepers which Amtrak obtained from Union Pacific. Pacific Cape was built by Budd in December, 1949 or January, 1950. It is possible that the interior has been changed.

Tom

 

[Bob Dylan]

8400/Indianapolis is the prototype Viewliner Diner. It usually runs on the Lake Shore Ltd. Route, but is sent to Florida on the Silvers frequently! I'm not sure about the Crescent however?

 

[FormerOBS]

Very interesting that the new diner has a name. Superliner "State" cars and others have had names removed in recent years. Is Amtrak reinstating names?

Tom

 

[Mystic River Dragon]

Thank you all for the information--it is nice to know what I was looking at!

Tom--I think I read an article in Passenger Train Journal that all the new diners will have the names of state capitals. (It is a while since I read this article, so someone else please correct me if I'm remembering this wrong.)

 

[Acela150]

Sleepers will be named after rivers, Diner's after Capitals. Also bear in mind that the Viewliner's maintenance base is in Hialeah.

 

[Railroad Bill]

Sleepers will be named after rivers, Diner's after Capitals. Also bear in mind that the Viewliner's maintenance base is in Hialeah.

Then can hardly wait to ride in the Ohio River Sleeper and the Columbus diner

 

[FormerOBS]

What about sleepers that Amtrak already owns? Will their names be restored?

Actually, maybe we need a new thread 'cause we're drifting away from the original topic.

Tom

 

[Acela150]

The VL I's will be renamed after Capitals and Rivers.

 

[chakk]

I would assume that Amtrak will apply the names of rivers and state capitals through which it actually passes. Thus, no Annapolis or Santa Fe, for example.

 

[Bob Dylan]

The VL I's will be renamed after Capitals and Rivers.

When the bean counters @ 60 Mass get through with the "cuts", perhaps Amtrak can name a couple of the " new" Automat Cars after John Mica and Joe Boardman!

 

[FormerOBS]

Amtrak serves 25 State capitals. If diners are to be named only for the capitals Amtrak serves, Railroad Bill will be disappointed to learn that Columbus, Ohio won't be among them. Anybody know how many diners will be produced?

Tom

 

[afigg]

I would assume that Amtrak will apply the names of rivers and state capitals through which it actually passes. Thus, no Annapolis or Santa Fe, for example.

No, the proposed names of the Viewliner II diners was listed some time back and the names included Annapolis, Augusta, Concord. On Track On-Line posted the planned Viewliner names recently. The theme for the diners is eastern to Mid-west state capitols, not whether Amtrak currently has trains to the state capitol or not. OTOH, there is a decent chance that August ME and Concord NH could see Amtrak corridor service during the operational lifetime of the new diner cars. I'm pretty sure that this has been discussed before in the Viewliner II thread.

 

[Acela150]

I would assume that Amtrak will apply the names of rivers and state capitals through which it actually passes. Thus, no Annapolis or Santa Fe, for example.

Negative, see affiggs post.

 

[jis]

Eastern and mid western state capitals except Trenton for Diner names and eastern and mid western rivers for both VLI and VLII Sleepers. The exact names were listen in a recent issue of the PTJ.