Greenbrier Express: NO STEAM (at least for start-up)

big-bad-2666 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 21, 2011 7:26 am

Found a link to another forum that states which cars were to be used in the Greenbrier Express. http://railroadfan.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=20311. Here is the info for people not wanting to go to another webpage:

Quote:

Many of the American Orient Express / American European Express / GrandLuxe Rail / American Railway Explorer cars have found yet a new owner.

On Saturday morning 22 January fifteen of these cars are suppose to leave Denver for their new home at the Greenbrier Express shop in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Some of the cars are still painted AOE/AEE/GLR blue-and-white, some are in gray primer, and a few are in American Railway Explorer green-and-cream.

Here is the proposed consist. The AOE/AEE/GLR names have been included; but some of the cars had been renamed by ARE, and some probably won't have any names.

800109 - sleeper VIENNA - nee UP 11DB 1510 PLACID WATERS
800246 - crew sleeper MONTEREY - nee C&O 5DB/buf/lng-obs 2507 WOLVERINE CLUB
800231 - sleeper MONTE CARLO - nee B&O 10-6 7045 OPEQUON
800757 - sleeper MONTREAL - nee UP 5DB/buf/lounge NORTH PLATTE
800310 - lounge SEATTLE - nee UP 14S sleeper ALPINE MEADOW
800753 - sleeper BAR HARBOR - nee UP coach 5539
800754 - sleeper CHARLESTON -nee UP coach 5494
800668 - crew sleeper GRAND CANYON - nee UP 11DB 1506 PLACID SCENE
800297 - sleeper ISTANBUL - nee SP 4-4-2 9119
800298 - sleeper PARIS - nee SP 4-4-2 9120
800768 - sleeper SANTA FE - nee UP 5DB/buf/lounge CHEYENNE
800740 - sleeper DENVER - nee UP coach 5490
800741 - sleeper SAVANNAH - nee UP coach 5500
800311 - lounge ROCKY MOUNTAIN - nee UP 14S sleeper ALPINE VIEW
800301 - diner ZURICH - nee UP diner/lounge 5004

The train should be powered by a pair of AMTK P42's and the route should be:

Denver-Chicago - CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR route
Chicago-Pittsburgh - CAPITOL LIMITED route
Pittsburgh-Harrisburg - PENNSYLVANIAN route
Harrisburg-Pottstown - NS Harrisburg Line

Departure from Denver is scheduled for 08:00 Saturday and from Chicago for 11:00 Sunday, with arrival at Pottstown at 06:00 Monday. Bear in mind that trains such as this seldom run on schedule, and the train could be postponed for any number of reasons. There are no speed restrictions on the movement of these cars.

co614 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 21, 2011 9:07 am

The info posted above is basicly correct. The 15 car Amtrak Deadhead Special will depart Denver Sat. (1/22) at 0800 running as Amtrak 940 with an eta Chicago of 0500 (1/23)

It will then depart Chicago as Amtrak 942 at 1100 Sunday (1/23) with an eta in Reading,Pa. of 0600 ( 1/24).

As this is a Deadhead Special most other trains enroute will have priority so it is very likely that the above schedule will not be kept.

I'm hopeful that if it should be running behind the above schedule and thus end up going around Horseshoe Curve in daylight on Sunday that somone will get a good pic as most of the cars are beautifully painted in the rich green&cream paint scheme we intend to keep.

Thanks, Ross Rowland

bory2502 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 22, 2011 12:16 pm

Glad to hear Ross that you have picked up the bulk of the AOE/GL train set for the Greenbrier Express. Do you plan keeping the current interior configuration of the cars or just updating interiors?

Christopher Edwards
Batavia & Ohio Railway Services, LLC.

co614 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 22, 2011 10:36 pm

Glad to report that so far the Amtrak Deadhead Special is running smoothly and close to the estimated schedule.

If you're interested in details&pics please see the Trainorders Western board.

We intend to redo the interiors as the GBX will be a day train made up mostly of ultra luxury Parlour cars.

Ross Rowland

J3a-614 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 23, 2011 5:36 am

Thanks for the updates, Ross. I can't begin to tell you how glad I am that this is not "vaporware."

Now, if only some people in Jacksonville could have a change of heart about some of their own "older family members" that are roller bearing equipped, even if they do have "special dietary needs," specifically a high-carbon diet and plenty of fluids. . .yes, I know they can be cranky and loud, but we love them anyway. . .

co614 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 23, 2011 9:05 am

Thanks for your expression(s) of support.

We fully understand and respect CSX's no antiques policy as they have a hyper busy railroad to run safely and profitably so as to maximize their returns to their shareholders ( of which my family investment trust is one ), and in todays ultra competitive world wherein if a high dollar train ( think UPS,JBHunt,APL etc.) is even a few minutes late it costs them HUGE penalties, the risk of allowing unknown older equipment out there to potentially cause problems is a risk they can NOT assume.

Also, the Greenbrier Express project is all about providing several hundred high end guests per week an ultra luxurious way of getting to the resort and trust me those guests will not be on board based on what's pulling the train!!

I am not now, nor have I ever been ashamed nor reluctant to state my love for steam which has only grown over time and today is stronger than ever. Perhaps someday we'll be able to figure out a way to include steam into the GBX program that satisfies the concerns and needs of all parties and I will do my patient best to help that day come.

However, I can say that taking CSX to task in the public arena is the best way to ensure that steam NEVER has a chance, and I would strongly suggest that all concerned be so advised.

Thank you, Ross Rowland, President& CEO
Greenbrier Express Company, Inc.

co614 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 24, 2011 1:00 pm

The Amtrak- Greenbrier Deadhead Special encountered numerous delays in the Omaha area on account of extreme cold which caused frozen switches, crews on the law etc.

The great news is that the 15 cars ( which underwent substantial running gear work in the ARE Denver shop) are performing flawlessly and were upgraded to track speed from a previous 60 mph limit.

Ass't. CMO Mark Baehm is aboard and reports that the wind chills in Nebraska last night were around minus 20, but he is warm and comfortable thanks to the new 50kw generator underneath the rear coach in which he's riding.

Now estimated to arrive Chicago noon today where they will recrew,refuel, change out 2nd. Amtral diesel etc. Estimated to leave Chicago at 1800 hrs. today which if things go ok east of Chicago should put him into Reading,Pa. sometime mid day tomorrow 1/25.

More later.

Ross Rowland

Richard Glueck · **Posted:** Mon Jan 24, 2011 3:14 pm

Nice of you to keep us in the loop, Ross. Thank you.

co614 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 25, 2011 9:53 am

As of 0730 est, A942 the Amtrak-GBX- special is by Elkhart,Ind. and is estimated at Pittsburg at 1530hrs., Harrisburg at 2130 hrs. and Rdg. at 2330 hrs.

These ETA's are all guesstimates and are subject to substantial change based on developments enroute.

A 942 is a deadhead special and thus the lowest priority train out there so he's subject to getting stung by anything that might go wrong ( frozen switches,bad signals etc.) due to the harsh weather.

Again, the important news is that all 15 cars are running perfectly with no problems.

More later.

Ross Rowland

co614 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 25, 2011 4:41 pm

As of 1530 hrs. est he's running very close to the above posted times.

Railroad looks in good order from Alliance,Ohio east so he should arrive Reading around midnight tonight. Maybe.

More later.

Ross Rowland

PaulWWoodring · **Posted:** Wed Jan 26, 2011 12:02 am

A942 passing New Milford Rd. South of Ravenna, OH this afternoon.

Link: http://www.railfan.net/lists/listphoto. ... nBrier.jpg

co614 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 26, 2011 2:58 am

Pleased to report that the DHS arrived NS Reading Yard at 00:41 1/26.

All equipment operated without incident at track speed.

Many thanks to everyone on the Amtrak, BNSF and NS teams for a job very well done.

Also, kudoes to CMO Mark Baehm and his crew for an excellent rebuild job on all the running gear which performed flawlessly.

Ross Rowland

daylight4449 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 13, 2011 6:47 pm

So, has the two other steamers been identified yet? I wonder if the 4460 and the LNER A4 at NRM are available.

wilkinsd · **Posted:** Wed Apr 13, 2011 8:42 pm

daylight4449 wrote:

So, has the two other steamers been identified yet? I wonder if the 4460 and the LNER A4 at NRM are available.

Neither are available. NRM management, inspired and impressed at your previous post of breaking the record held by Mallard has begun an intensive overhaul of the Dwight D. Eisenhower to break the record on the NEC, hauling the two ex LNER sleepers that were displayed with it in Green Bay. The test runs will begin in March, with the record breaking run set for April 1, 2012.

At the same time, the 4460 has been selected as the new locomotive to haul the "Yellow Ribbon Express."

/RunsForCover /Sarcasm

daylight4449 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 13, 2011 9:22 pm

wilkinsd wrote:

daylight4449 wrote:

So, has the two other steamers been identified yet? I wonder if the 4460 and the LNER A4 at NRM are available.

Neither are available. NRM management, inspired and impressed at your previous post of breaking the record held by Mallard has begun an intensive overhaul of the Dwight D. Eisenhower to break the record on the NEC, hauling the two ex LNER sleepers that were displayed with it in Green Bay. The test runs will begin in March, with the record breaking run set for April 1, 2012.

At the same time, the 4460 has been selected as the new locomotive to haul the "Yellow Ribbon Express."

/RunsForCover /Sarcasm

WOW! That's awesome ;)
Figured I'd add my opinion, considering that the engines are sitting doing nothing.