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

Train 49 had Private cars Kitchi Gammi Club and Pacific Island out of NYP on Friday September 6, 2024.
I caught it at Phlipse Manor Train Station in Sleepy Hollow, New York.

Extra 879 with two diesels (Siemens Charger) and an Amfleet came out of Penn Coach Yard heading "towards Baltimore". Should have gone through Philadelphia - 30th Street by 8:20PM.

The Amfleet was probably so the 2 engines could run at faster Passenger Train speeds instead of slower Light Engine speeds.

JimBoylan wrote: ↑Sat Sep 14, 2024 6:18 pm The Amfleet was probably so the 2 engines could run at faster Passenger Train speeds instead of slower Light Engine speeds.

Now I understand why they do that. I thought it was for measurement or a place for crew to sit.



A Charger-Amfleet-Charger set is running as KP2022 and headed out of Penn Coach Yard "to Ham for testing".

~7:57PM KP2022 to CETC-5: heading up to Ham for some testing.

8:13PM - KP2022 pulled up on the Schuylkill bridge and is a Charger-Amfleet-Charger set.

I believe it went behind #656 just before 8:20PM.

Somewhere around 8:30PM it sounds like they got a speed sensor issue and they're stopped near North Philadelphia. They just got permission east at 8:37PM.

8:40PM KP2022 is at MP 83.5; test run is cancelled and they're turning around and heading back to Philadelphia.

https://www.sleeponatrain.com/public-trips

Some Berlin trips, including two positioning trips and the Autumn AAPRCO trip.

KP2022 is running again "up to Ham for testing" as a Charger-Amfleet-Charger set. Just passed over the Schuylkill at 8:27PM.

KP2022 Charger-Amfleet-Charger is doing the same thing tonight: "to Ham for testing". Just passed by Torresdale at 8:01PM. Last night it did get up to County but I'm not sure how many round trips it usually does.

JuniusLivonius wrote: ↑Tue Sep 17, 2024 7:18 pm

JimBoylan wrote: ↑Sat Sep 14, 2024 6:18 pm The Amfleet was probably so the 2 engines could run at faster Passenger Train speeds instead of slower Light Engine speeds.

Now I understand why they do that. I thought it was for measurement or a place for crew to sit.

I recently realized they don't have this rule in the UK so they let light power haul ass wherever, unless I grossly misunderstood a couple british railroaders. But this was also the country that didn't have brakes on freight trains until 1960. Woof...

But this was also the country that didn't have brakes on freight trains until 1960.

Just to nitpick here - the train had brakes (on the engine and brake van on the rear) it was just the wagons that didn't have brakes. These were low speed and relatively short trains. Hey it worked for them for 130 years.

TheOneKEA wrote: ↑Sun Jun 16, 2024 3:47 pm 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?

As a rule, Amtrak will not handle private cars on Northeast Regional trains between NYP and WAS, with the exception of the overnight service once known as The Night Owl; it must be a BOS - WAS thru move, no on/off at NYP. They will handle them on long distance trains 19/20, 50/51, 79/80, 89/90, 91/92 and 97/98. Also between NYP and PHL on 42/43.

Train2009 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 11, 2024 9:25 pm Train 49 had Private cars Kitchi Gammi Club and Pacific Island out of NYP on Friday September 6, 2024.
I caught it at Phlipse Manor Train Station in Sleepy Hollow, New York.

They are heading out to the Midwest to operate multiple trips with steam locomotive NKP 765. I understand PACIFIC ISLAND will hibernate for the winter out there, despite the lack of ground power to keep the car on layover heat during the winter season.

Jack, they should bring it down to Kansas City, unless KC Union Station and Amtrak have made Tracks 27/28 too expensive to use.

jhdeasy wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2024 10:33 am

TheOneKEA wrote: ↑Sun Jun 16, 2024 3:47 pm 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?

As a rule, Amtrak will not handle private cars on Northeast Regional trains between NYP and WAS, with the exception of the overnight service once known as The Night Owl; it must be a BOS - WAS thru move, no on/off at NYP. They will handle them on long distance trains 19/20, 50/51, 79/80, 89/90, 91/92 and 97/98. Also between NYP and PHL on 42/43.

Thank you for the information! I had never paid close enough attention to the few private cars I'd spotted to note that they were never attached to a Regional service, so I appreciate being educated on Amtrak's policy for handling them on the NEC.