posted
Does anyone know how Amtrak assigns train numbers? Are they randomly picked, or do they have historical or geographical significance?
What is the origin of the Texas Eagle and Kentucky Cardinal styles of numbering, where a train has number 21, as an offshoot of train 1, the Sunset Limited, or 850, an offshoot of 50, the Cardinal?
Does anyone know of anywhere where there is a complete list of Amtrak train numbers from its entire history. I know of very few uncurrent train numbers, amounting to: 15, Lone Star South 16, Lone Star North 25, Pioneer West 26, Pioneer East 35, Desert Wind West 36, Desert Wind East 819, Gulf Breeze South 820, Gulf Breeze North
All these trains were discontinued by 1997, when the Desert Wind made its last run.
Would anyone be interested in a database of all Amtrak trains by number, termini, routes, typical consist, or some such thing? Perhaps one could be set up.
posted
Chuck, Amtrak train numbering, I suppose, is more "geographical" than anything else. Trains travelling North and/or East are even- numbered. Trains travelling South and/or West are odd- numbered.
A few examples: Train 3 (SW Chief) runs Southwest. Train 4 (SW Chief) runs Northeast.
Train 7 (E Builder) runs West. Train 8 (E Builder) runs East.
posted
The transcontinental routes west of the Mississippi were numbered south to north--that is, the southernmost route, the Sunset Ltd., was given numbers 1 and 2; the Southwest Chief, 3 and 4; the San Francisco Zephyr, 5 and 6; the Empire Builder, 7 and 8; and the North Coast Hiawatha, 9 and 10.
Many numbers were inherited from the previous operating railroads, and others followed one system or another--for example, the Metroliners were given numbers in the low 100's, and connecting trains usually got numbers in the 400's.
Amtrak: The First Decade, by Bruce Goldberg, contained a 19-page list of train names and their numbers up to 1981. I have a copy of the book, and if you can't find it yourself I could copy those pages for you. If your screen name indicates that you are Washington Redskins fan (my condolences) maybe you aren't that far away, and I could lend you the whole book. I live in Spotsylvania, VA, and work in Arlington.
------------------ Steve Dunham Literalman@aol.com http://www.stevedunham.50megs.com/
posted
I'm in the process of compiling a database of train consists, more for tracking particular cars to see where they go, but this could be extended as it's a standard database. A *very rough* start has been made on http://www.simsig.co.uk/amtrak
Geoff M.
Posts: 2426 | From: Apple Valley, CA | Registered: Sep 2000
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posted
>>Would anyone be interested in a database of all Amtrak trains by number, termini, routes, typical consist, or some such thing? Perhaps one could be set up.<<
posted
Chatter, when I click on the link, it takes me to a "Reply" page for this thread.
Posts: 5 | From: Avon, IN USA | Registered: Oct 2001
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