Uniq. Eqpmt Sightings: Private Varnish (PV's), Charters, etc

Gilbert B Norman wrote:... just observed #4 (16) with FRA Tuscan Red, former CN CARBON Steel Sleeper Lounge on the head (before the V-Bag) of the normal consist.

That car is the former CN 1083 CAPE BRULE, 2 double bedroom 2 compartment lounge, a 1954 product of Pullman.

Currently known as DOTX 221,an automated,unmanned Track Geometry car...

file photo of DOTX 221

Encountered DODX 221 at San Antonia several years ago. For some reason maintenance could not get the markers to work. So Amtrak added a Fred on it to the end of the Eagle #22.

Gilbert B Norman wrote:Messrs. Backshop and Deasy, thanks for your immediate history of the FRA.Geometry Car.

In the discussion of the former Metroliner now Geometry car, there was mention this CN car was of Stainless construction. Pullman was very late in the game with Stainless construction, as distinct from sheathing. I defer to Mr. Deasy to report any such cars of which he has knowledge.

Possibly Pullman stainless cars included the "jinxed" order the KCS placed, and which proved to be the final order of intercity cars placed by a Class I. If I properly recall, those cars were being delivered as the KCS was petitioning to get out.

The former CN "CAPE BRULE" was part of CN's large purchase of cars from Pullman in 1954. All of these were alloy steel cars.

As Mr. Norman notes, Pullman did build some cars with greater stainless steel content, "late in the game."

I know the MKT 1202R coach (now the private car J PINCKNEY HENDERSON) was Pullman stainless over stainless construction. When the L&C Railway owned the car, their passenger shop manager attested to that fact.

I'm told the 6-4-6 BEACH series sleepers and STATE series 6 bedroom lounge cars Pullman built at Worcester for New Haven circa 1954-1955 may be stainless over stainless construction.

I wonder about the cars Pullman built for SAL in 1956, the coaches and the three Sun Lounge cars. Mr. Norman has made reference to the coaches Pullman built for KCS circa 1965, some of which later served CNJ, NJ DOT and now have been more or less "remanufactured" for NC DOT.

It comes down to a question of how much stainless steel content was used in the car's construction -- side sheets, end sheets, roof, side sills, end sills, vertical and horizontal structural members??

Between it's "life" between CN and DOTX eras as part of VIA RAIL's fleet.
The Via era was not well documented/"missing in action"

Of course, there is one series of cars that P-S built completely of stainless - our venerable Superliner 1 fleet. I so enjoy travelling on the Superliner fleet. For some reason it feels a lot more welcoming than Viewliner. And I like have the bathroom downstairs rather than in my roomette.

Tadman wrote:Of course, there is one series of cars that P-S built completely of stainless - our venerable Superliner 1 fleet. I .

But is the draft gear stainless or carbon steel. have never noticed.

Couplers and draft gear are always carbon as far as I'm aware. What I was implying is that the structural steel of the car was stainless. P-S mostly made cars of carbon structure.

That could be a game changer.
Does that mean that At least the draft gear can be replaced ? Now the next question are Amfleets and V-1 & 2s have any carbon steel as part of the frame or floor ?

NEW YORK CENTRAL 38 is on train 51(04) to Huntington.

WARRIORS REST was supposed to be on 79(04) from WAS to CLT, but apparently bad-ordered at WAS ... to Ivy City for repairs.

Five by five: 5 Viewliners on the head end of train 98(03) ... 1 baggage 3 sleepers and diner INDIANAPOLIS ... 5 private cars on the rear, which will come off at WAS.