Amtrak long distance train configuration from 2001-2010

Any historical questions can be posted here. Answers would certainly help as well :)
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David Collins
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Amtrak long distance train configuration from 2001-2010

Unread post by David Collins »

I just recently acquired a whole bunch of HO scale superliners, these cars have the big superliner letters on the side but are painted in Phase IV, so these cars were used a while back. I’d like to know how amtrak configured their long distance trains back in that time, like car order, etc. Thanks!

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Re: Amtrak long distance train configuration from 2001-2010

Unread post by Dan Cluley »

There was some variation depending on what train, but what I remember as a typical consist from the '90s would be 3-4 mail cars behind the power, a heritage fleet baggage car, 2 to 4 coaches, a sightseer lounge, the dinner & 2-3 sleepers on the rear.

For a while in the late '90s-early 2000s they started putting express boxcars on the rear. The mail and/or baggage may have moved to the rear as well.

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SD80MAC
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Re: Amtrak long distance train configuration from 2001-2010

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It depends on what train you’re modeling. The California Zephyr and Empire Builder, for example, have sleepers and coaches in different spots throughout the train because some cars are set out and or the train ends up splitting enroute (so does the Lakeshore Limited). That being said, in the Phase IV era you’d usually see Power-Bagagge-Coaches/Sleepers-Diner-Coaches/Sleepers-Crew Dorm-Buffer Car-MHCs/Express Track cars-Roadrailers.
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Re: Amtrak long distance train configuration from 2001-2010

Unread post by David Collins »

SD80MAC wrote:
Wed Nov 16, 2022 11:14 am
It depends on what train you’re modeling.
Capitol Limited mainly, I may make something up since my layout is mainly fictional

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Re: Amtrak long distance train configuration from 2001-2010

Unread post by Standard Railfan »

David Collins wrote:
Wed Nov 16, 2022 11:58 am
SD80MAC wrote:
Wed Nov 16, 2022 11:14 am
It depends on what train you’re modeling.
Capitol Limited mainly, I may make something up since my layout is mainly fictional
Have you tried an internet search? I tried one

https://www.amtraktrains.com/threads/c ... ist.21132/

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