So....

Does anybody on this list have an email or phone contact at Amtrak so that a request could be made?

Thanks-

Matt Bumgarner

Amtrak usually doesn't outright "donate" equipment, since they are a quasi-governmental agency. They probably have to get some amount of money for it, maybe not full-scrap value, but more than a nominal dollar.

I've mused in the past about whether my skills behind the counter on Amfleet equipment would one day come in handy in my dotage for some museum operation. The F40's are already museum pieces, now it's time for the Am-cans to join them - "You want chips with that"? I'm guessing even a museum won't be able to charge prices for a "Chunky Chicken Salad Sandwich" we were getting in the mid-'80's :), (sandwich, chip, soda for $3.60).

Make sure you can get some of the original airline-style coffee makers for the counter, and some older "Radar Ranges" to complete the look. Also will have to get re-creations of the original "psychedelic" interior seat and wall-coverings.

While we're talking about retiring things at Amtrak, received word that Amtrak spokesman Cliff Black will be leaving soon. I think most here know that the fans and preservation community had a low-key friend in Mr. Black at Amtrak. Certainly, the news reports concerning Amtrak may well become even less intelligent than they are now without his vast knowledge of the industry and operating practices. First the Washington Post lets Don Phillips leave, now this...

AEM-7s...some clueless noob dreamers out there might see them as a pile of parts for a homebrew 11 kV @ 25 Hz power supply...

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Will

According to the plan, Amtrak states that it concluded the best course of action is to hold a number of cars in reserve after retirement from service but then "to scrap the vehicles rather than sell them, with the possibile exclusion for museum requests". Thus, any museum that has a certain car or cars in mind should make it known at Amtrak what cars are of interest to them.

One would hope that all the heritage cars are saved and at least a few examples of Amfleet and Superliner cars to go with the preserved F40's. I suppose the heritage coaches turned into baggage cars (anyone know how many were done?) could be rebuilt into something interesting with a bit of work...

Rob

I have long been disappointed that some of Amtrak's "failures" were not preserved - like an SDP40F, P30CH, and one of the UA Turbo Train sets. They were part of Amtrak's history. Those deriding the AEM-7's should remember that after the E60's turned out to be dangerous at higher speeds, Paul Reistrup made a bold and correct decision ordering the "meatballs", and they became a very reliable mainstay of NEC service for over 20 years. And come to think about it, an E60 is already preserved.

If we're going to tell railroad history, we need to tell the whole story. Aviation museums have examples of unsuccessful aircraft in their exhibits. We have a chance here to tell a more complete story of how Amtrak managed to overcome it's political and financial obstacles and hang on for almost 40 years. That means that in addition to an F40, we also need one of the converted "Cabbage" control-baggage cars.

One piece that should not be overlooked in making requests for preserved cars is Conference car #9800. It's usually kept at Ivy City. They had high hopes for producing revenue with this car, but it never panned out. Amtrak tried numerous innovations attempting to meet Congress' unreasonable revenue expectations. Preserving something like this car helps tell that essential story.

You're forgetting about the SDP40F, Amtrak 644, that was saved in Portland, Oregon......

Curious, as I was not in the game at the time - what was the process like amongst the railroad preservation community when the E60s were being retired? Was it what I suspect the feeling will be now, with the AEM-7s having their turn? That of interest only an inch deep, with maybe one getting saved (with a bunch of kicking and screaming)?

Count me as one that wants to see an AEM-7 or two get cared for in a museum. Honestly, I do not have my hopes set very high.

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Will

Guess I'm too parochial an East Coast/Midwesterner. Didn't know about that one, and I'm glad it's there.

While I'm at it, I was thinking about Amfleet examples that should be preserved. Aside from a regular coach and a conventional cafe car, a half-coach/half-club from the Boston 170 series trains should be preserved, as should a table car, and some type of locomotive-hauled Metroliner equipment. Maybe a display with an AEM-7 and Metroliner equipment, and one with an F40 and conventional equipment. Hey, and there would be nothing wrong with having an excursion set somewhere with F40's and Amcans. It would be fairly reliable. As many connected with ongoing excursion/tourist programs sometimes point out, most people just want a comfortable train ride, and don't care what's pulling the train, or the full story of the car they are riding in. Two F40's back-to-back and 15 - 20 Amfleets would make for a reliable excursion consist that could barnstorm the country like Flagg Coal #75, running fund raising excursions for museums.

I've also thought that Amtrak should keep a reserve fleet of older cars in good condition that could be brought out to run emergency service for situations like hurricane evacuations, and rescuing people from snow shutdowns at airports, like is happening right now for the second time in a week on the East Coast.

I'm betting that 100 years ago, nobody thought that 100 years later there would be a collection of wooden passenger cars assembled into a display at the RR Museum of PA.

But it there now, and I think is a wonderful part of their collection.

While out of the scope of my Conrail crew, I'd love to, in 30 years, be able to stage a photo shoot with some SD40-2s meeting a period Amtrak consist.