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Reported at "another site" that Amtrak Single Level Heritage Diner 8554 is about to be released from Beech Grove after refurbishing.
#8554, ex-NYC 450-466 Budd 1948.
Likely the oldest car in Class I revenue service within North America; maybe even the World.
This series of cars was configured as Diner Grill; Kitchen A-End, 8 2-place Banquette Tables Center, 6 4-place Tables B-end. The final NYC assignment was that of the Coach Diner for The Century.
Unless replaced during the current refurbishment, the distinctive "tunnel" of NYC overhead incandescent lights and the distinctive overhead vents is the "giveaway" when anyone encounters this car in their travels.
After learning this news, one will possibly react, in much the same manner as did "Steamboat Bill' (Frank and Miss Vickie, there's a mag for you both to subscribe) when they reported the s/s (NOT m/v) Ausonia and Oceanic are still sailing, "long may they sail', or does one react "get this museum piece where it belongs".
Ocala Mike Member # 4657
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It's shameful! Amtrak is to its rolling stock what Cuba is to its motor vehicle fleet. 50-60 year old equipment held together with duct tape, baling wire, and homemade spare parts.
dns8560 Member # 15184
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I like the old refurbished Heritage cars!
Ocala Mike Member # 4657
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I like the 1955 Buick too, but it belongs in an antique auto show, not driving down the interstate along with GBN's Lexus.
dns8560 Member # 15184
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Hahaha! But seriously, you don't think they tightened up the sprockets and re-spruced the inside and how but good?
20th Century Member # 2196
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They probably added high speed trucks. BUT I hope they replaced the neon tunnel lighting. To me they don't look like antiques. They show style and speed with character. Too many new designs (especially in Europe) look too sterile. Besides the Heritage design(inherited from pre Amtrak)seems to offer more space and comfort.
palmland Member # 4344
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I wonder if they will be confined to LSL or used in the LSL/Crescent/Silver Service loop.
While old, look at what Canada has done with their almost as ancient Budd cars on the Canadian.
I'll take a Budd built rehab over an Amfleet car any day.
20th Century Member # 2196
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I second that Palmland!
PullmanCo Member # 1138
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If we had sufficient stock to have a decent parts line, the Budd equipment would still be pretty dang good.
I would rather sleep in a Budd, ACF, of P-S Pullman than any current Amtrak sleeper. Period.
Remember, Super Chief-2 (the first streamlined edition) was all-Budd, and it held a 39 45 timetable Chicago to LA over Raton and Cajon.
Ocala Mike Member # 4657
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So is the bottom line the fact that NOBODY in the WORLD is building suitable state of the art passenger rolling stock for Amtrak to purchase or the fact that Amtrak has no money to purchase same?
Is it that Budd, American Car & Foundry, and Pullman were never replaced? What about overseas car builders?
palmland Member # 4344
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Classic Trains' 'DreamTrains 2' has an artcile on the Budd Co. It says that when Budd-Thyseen (a German steel maker) threw in the towel on the railcar business 'they sold it to Bombardier (the Canadian company). The sale, which included Red Lion (Budd's plant in PA) and all of Budd's designs, was completed on Sept. 18, 1987." Red Lion was subsequently sold and is now a country club.
So my vote would be for Bombardier to design and build the next generation of Amtrak cars. Budd lives.
amtrak92 Member # 14343
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I agree with you Palmland. I really could handle Budd sleepers, instead of Viewliners
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