Apparently this thing is a five million dollar nightmare. The national forestry department bought it to move hikers and campers around, but it will not make the 3% grade by itself. Besides that. Its full of interlocking devices that go off constantly. Whether its doors, air or whatever else can cause an alarm. It also will not fit in any of their roundhouse stalls. Being almost 90 foot long, and 20 feet high has its limitations. And at that size, it barely makes it through tunnels. They still use it for forestry service. With a geep, baggage car, a couple coaches and the DMU at the end. It is equipped with a cafe on the lower level, and seating on the upper deck. Thats all I got. A unique concept. Kinda makes you wonder if this was designed for a different style of service. Sent from my Commando
gcav17, I was wondering the same thing. It certainly seems it wasn't designed for exactly what it's doing now. Now, with the obvious clearance issues, I'm wondering how it got to where it is !!! Kinda' glad I made the original post. Seems many people knew alot about this thing, but I just found out about it a couple days ago. I've enjoyed reading all the info. But, there is still one unanswered question. Why do I still want one of these things ???
There is something to be said about being the "first kid on the block" to have something unusual yet cool.
I am not sure it the partnership between the USFS and the ARR is correctly stated here. As I understand it, the ARR purchased the railcar in question. The USFS worked on the visitor sites/program side of things. This is a spectacular setting and a wonderful day trip. I hadn't heard that it is now used as a cab car. Here is a video a shot with my phone back in 2010 when it was still self-propelled. http://s291.photobucket.com/user/djs_ank_ak/media/ARR/IMG_0404_zps93f21f13.mp4.html Best wishes, Dave
As far as the operation of the car goes the ARR's order was in part based on the operation of the CRM demonstrator, which was stopped on the 3% grade with two ARR passenger cars in tow and was able to restart the train without any difficulties and I would expect that this car would be no different. ARR 751 usually operates on the Glacier Discovery train as a cab car when ridership is up and singularly when ridership is down, since it is a seasonal thing. As for its ability or lack there of to handle the ruling grade other people who have traveled in the car said it handled everything just fine, including this grade. At 90 feet long it is the longest passenger car operated in North America but is only a foot and 9 inches taller than the Holland America Super Ultradomes. As for the partnership between the ARR and the Forestry Service see this page on the Alaska Rails website... http://www.alaskarails.org/fp/passenger/751/index.html
