I was in SF, California this week and at the Station at Fourth and King there was parked in the yard a single self propelled car. Though the station is Caltrain, Amtrak runs the SF-San Jose Commute service so I am guessing that this car was for Amtak's use. It looked like the old Budd SPV car with cabs at either end and the hump similar to the Budd Metroliner car but no pantograph. It had a blue strip down the side and was labelled for the Dept of Transportation. Anybody know about this car and what its use might be ? Thanks
Here's a pic of the car you mentioned. It's an inspection car used by the FRA. I think they have bought at least two new units built especially for inspection work, so it's days may be numbered. Dick
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=4315