I'm working on building an Amtrak push-pull set with an ex-metroliner cab car for the opposite end to the loco. (I'm still searching for a 2nd hand HO Bachmann Metroliner car to sacrifice it's cab, but that's another story!!) Anyhow, my question is, does anyone know wether I could use a "head end" fitted MHC in the consist (next to the loco) or is it coaches only on push-pull sets?
Martyn, the push pull amtrack I've seen on the west coast of the US are Talgo, however for the most part accross the country Amtrak runs push pull on intercity Commuter type runs ex:Chicago-Milwaukee WI or Eugene Ore-Vancouver BC Can. The consist for these trains have one power unit (F59s out west and I think AMD103s (P40/42s) in Chicago which power the trains electric systems. On the opposite end they use Rebuilt "Cabcar F40PHs) these F40S have lost their motor and have concrete as balast in the body to weigh it down. If you have ant more question, I'd be happy to help. Some of the F40s also have baggage compartment as well. [ 12 October 2001: Message edited by: BN9900 ]</p>
Have only seen Amtrak push-pulls in so. Calif. Usual consist w/ Amfleet/Horizon cars is F59PHI or F40PH, baggage car (not MHCs), business class coach, cafe car, then 2-4 coaches w/ last one a cab car (ex Metroliner). With Surfliner equip. it's F unit, biz car, cafe then coaches w/ last being cab car. Surfliner cab cars have a baggage compartment on cab end. Check ebay or other auction sites & swap meets for the ex Metroliners. Ended up getting mine from a club member. Good luck.
Thanks folks, I'm looking for a late '80s & early '90s look for this one, so it'll be an F40 & mixed amfleet/horizons... There were some of the ex-metroliner cars operating out of Chicago from what I can tell, but when I visited there last year it was just ex F40 "cabaggeges". I've also got a search running on Ebay for the cab cars, but most of what I've seen have been mint-in-box complete trainsets which have gone for waaaay too much cash for me to justify buying it to chop one of them up! I'm keeping looking though. Thanks again!
In the East the Vermonter routinely ran with the Metroliner cab car and a specially painted baggage car in the consist. Not sure about MHCs with MU cabling. I thought they didn't even have HEP capability.
Some are at least HEP fitted as demonstrated here, this is on a previous visit to the US back in 1994, the location is, erm, somewhere in Conneticut, I didn't make a note, sorry Didn't know if they were MU fitted as well though, I guess that was the basis of my question Anyhow, it seems nobody knows of MHC's being used in push-pull service, so I'll just not model one of them! Thanks again
I have never seen or heard of a MHC car in a push pull set. I can only speak for the PNW not Calif or back east. Most all of your push pull sets are commuter type runs which mean short and usally no express or mail. As for modeling the 80's era I beleive the only place you found push pull was commuter in Chgo,and Calif. and maybe east coast. MHC cars are equiped to run headend or rear where the amtrak box cars are rearend only, they have no mu or electrical cableing.
Martyn~I must have been dead while I read your post and didn't answer your question... NO MHC are on push pull trains because boxcars are not built for that constant push pull.
The Heartland Flyer runs from OKC to Fort Worth in a push pull congiuration. most of the time it has a P42 on one end, and a cabbage on the other. It has also had a combination of P42's, F40's and a P32 and any combination of the above. The normal consist is 2 ex Santa Fe hi-level's and a Superliner Coach/Snack Bar. A really cool train to model by the way.... Ron Herendeen rherendeen@mmcable.com www.theheartlandflyer.com
