Conference Car 9800

I have a question about the #9800 Conference Car with Control Cab (ex Metroliner). Is this Car used regulary as cabcar in the NEC or is it just used for special runs?

Thanks, Michael

No, the car is not used in regular service. To my knowledge it is only used on special trains when a conference car is needed or requested. Also, I doubt it is ever used as a cab car either, since not many NEC trains would need one.

I believe they use it for special trains as well as corporate affairs.

Can an every day traveller request (for a fee of course) a (the??) confrence car to use for their confrence? I think that this would be a very impressive way to get clients to a fro on the NEC and beyond.

If I remember correctly, as long as your willing to pay, Amtrak will put a train together for your use, but I'm not sure how specific you can get with the cars you want. For instance the Bridgeport Diocese here has had an Amtrak train for a few years now that takes passengers from this area down to Washington for the big anti-abortion rally. The only people on the train are those who have made arrangments, for instance school groups.

Cab car 9800 can only be used as cab car with the AEM7's and HHP8's not with diesels.
Amtrak does not use the car as cab car due to speed restriction in push mode.
It has been used in push mode on non-Reveneu moves like the HHP-8 test trains .

Forgot to post before, but saw that Amtrak "Business Coach" #9800 was on #67 in Boston Thursday night with the control-cab facing the rear of the AEM-7 that was pulling the train. What is this coach used for? Is it used for Amtrak personnel, or is it booked for groups such as business travelers?

The control cab is rarely used, if any,
Ive only seen it used on test trains.
The car itself is usualy used for group travel.
In other news I saw Corridor Clipper go east from Stamford 3 times in last two weeks. at about 1250 in afternoon.

The 9800 was used the day before to haul the chicago White Sox from NYP after beating the Yankees.

While working my overnight sift at SSYD on March 8TH one of my responsibilities was do do a Class One Brake Test on train #181. To my surprise , First class conference car # 9800 was D/H to WAS on the rear of the train. It is always nice to have a second set of airgauges to compare the accuracy of the ones in the locomotive up front...So I thought. After walking to the rear of the train to visually inspect that the whole train was taking brake I climbed aboard the 9800. I had made full service brake application in the lead unit and wanted to compare the brake pipe reading with the one in 9800 and put on the rear marker lights. When I got to the cab I was very surprised..The Cab Controls and the engineers seat were gone. After a closer look I noticed the horn and the strobe light bar from the roof were removed also. All that remained was an empty space and a small empty console. After completeing my other duties for the night I asked my Foreman about the 9800..He had no idea what the 9800 even was..I do not know why I was surprised to find that out. Eventually I asked a member of the tech training department and he said it was done as a cost saving measure. This car really gets around and it often goes places with stub end tracks. The train will now have to be wyed whenever it goes to a terminal with stub end tracks..The car is still really amazing on the inside but it lost a big part of what made it unique.....This is my last week at Amtrak..Its off to CSX I go

That's surprising, given that 125 mph push-pull operation is apparently no longer frowned upon by the FRA, as evidenced by current Keystone operation on the NEC.

This is Amtrak's Geometry car right?

no 9800 is Metro Liner Conference car.
http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?20030 ... 619172.jpg

only time I have known it to be used as Cab car was testing the HHP-8's on delivery.
here is other picture:
http://www.hebners.net/amtrak/amtGEOM/amt9800.jpg

Here's a slightly more recent photo showing the car in its current "Phase IVb" colors.

Does anyone have any interior pictures?