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

I have not observed any private cars attached to any Northeast Regional weekend services on the NEC in Maryland this year. Have there been any private cars running at all on the NEC in MD this year?

On the LDs, yes they run in Maryland, but I'm unaware of any Regional with private cars lately.

jhdeasy wrote: ↑Sun Jun 16, 2024 10:46 am

Railjunkie wrote: ↑Sun Jun 16, 2024 9:57 am

John_Perkowski wrote: ↑Sat Jun 15, 2024 1:39 pm Nice to see PROMONTORY POINT (nee LOBLOLLY PINE IIRC) Running again.

Had a chance to chat with who I think was the owner last week while we were running around the car and spotting it. Complimented him on how well things were working. Being an engineer I like when things stop, some of the varnish fleet can be questionable at times. Conductor liked that the pins dropped on either end of the car and the hand brake held. Again in dealing with private varnish you just never know.

You may be aware that Amtrak certified private cars are subject to an annual inspection. The inspection covers many things, and braking/stopping functions (single car air test, and hand brake apply/release test) are part of the annual inspection. I have always believed that many PV's have had their braking pressure adjusted to use a lighter force (for example --- a J16 relay valve on 26C or 26CDW air brake system) when braking. That seems to reduce problems (such as shelling and spalling) with wheel sets.

When I operated 800708 MOUNT VERNON (now renamed PACIFIC ISLAND by the new owner), I never had a problem with handbrake application, but at times I had problems getting a full release on my handbrake. I learned that it released properly after it had been fully applied. However, a partial setting of the handbrake would hold the car in position, but it might not allow a full release. Thus I would reapply it fully, cranking down all the way, then I would pull the release handle and get a complete release.

Thank goodness I did not have a mouthful of coffee while reading this, I may have launched across the room. While yes I am fully aware of the inspection process, Rensselaer will do and has done the inspection on many cars. They have also rebuilt trucks and completely re piped air brake systems. The shop just finished Blue Ridge Club and she handles like a dream.
However in handling in what has to be somewhere close to 50 pieces of varnish in my career, some of those multiple times. While doing a running brake tests there are times I begin to think, are they or are they not going to slow down. Or perhaps placing them in the storage yard and my conductor tells me handbrakes applied give them a test. I release my independent and away we go. This normally followed by a bit of foul language and the getting of the chalks to hold the car or cars in place before I cut away.
So while you may never have had any issues. Trust me when I say in typing this up, I can think of five cars off the top of my head when we see them we know there will be issues. As you know varnish is an expensive hobby and upkeep even more so.

Railjunkie wrote: ↑Mon Jun 17, 2024 9:46 am
...my conductor tells me handbrakes applied give them a test. I release my independent and away we go. This normally followed by a bit of foul language and the getting of the chalks to hold the car or cars in place before I cut away.
So while you may never have had any issues. Trust me when I say in typing this up, I can think of five cars off the top of my head when we see them we know there will be issues. As you know varnish is an expensive hobby and upkeep even more so.

This jibes with the information I have from a family member that works for a big railroad and has experience handling such private cars. This is why I was totally not surprised when Amtrak put heavy restrictions on private varnish a few years ago. According to my source, they did quit a bit of unbilled work on PV's just to get them over the road. That info must've trickled upstairs after enough regional folks got impatient with PV's. Senior management must've looked at the big picture and said "No more of this".

$880k. VIRGINIA CITY


https://ozarkmountainrailcar.com/railEq ... temId=3700

Virginia City has been on the block for months.

I just observed an ACS-64 pass Leaman Place Junction going eastbound with another ACS-64 in tow, pantograph down, plus an FRA inspection car.

At Boston's South Station yesterday, I saw Pacific Union and Babbling Brook. I wonder where they were headed.

charlesriverbranch wrote: ↑Sun Aug 11, 2024 6:38 am At Boston's South Station yesterday, I saw Pacific Union and Babbling Brook. I wonder where they were headed.

Left on 449 today with the pepsi can P42

CSRR573 wrote: ↑Sun Aug 11, 2024 12:40 pm Left on 449 today with the pepsi can P42

Interesting. They must have been taken off at Albany, because they weren't on #49 when it passed the VR Webcam at Elkhart this morning, although the Pepsi can P42 was.

Extra 848 requested testing up to New York from Penn Coach Yard. Passed by Cornwells Heights at 8:46PM. Looked like a Charger-ACS64 or Charger-Charger with one or two Amfleets.

The 2024 American Autumn Explorer V from AAPRCO is coming up: https://www.aaprco.com/single-project

Tickets to ride: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/american ... c-26126229

Jeff Smith wrote: ↑Thu Jun 20, 2024 7:56 am $880k. VIRGINIA CITY

Although it has a unique and interesting history, the $880K asking price is way out of line with current PV market pricing.

I am not knowledgeable in that market, but I assume prices went way up when Iowa Pacific bought anything that rolls and a lot that doesn't, and then the bottom dropped out when they had to fire sale everything. Is this reasonably accurate?

Jeff Smith wrote: ↑Wed Aug 21, 2024 2:11 pm The 2024 American Autumn Explorer V from AAPRCO is coming up: https://www.aaprco.com/single-project

Tickets to ride: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/american ... c-26126229

I'm hearing six to eight cars currently, I'm pretty sure on a couple three of them. Myself, I just hope Amtrak gives us a Geep to switch the train with, the 32s and 42s can be jumpy at times.