For those of use without the space for those long superliner consists, there is always the 1996 version of the Cardinal to Model.
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i like
That's every bit as realistic as a longer train, and a lot more do-able on a typical model railroad. Some of the double-deck commuter trains are like that too.
What is the current consist of the Cardinal? I thought it used Viewliners for sleepers and standard coaches & a snack car (rather than a real diner).
Currently it looks like its Viewliner Sleepers and a Lounge car with out real meal service. Runs three days a week.
Scotie
Model Railroader did an article titled "Pike-Sized Passenger Trains" featuring several passenger trains -- past and present -- that were short, either branch or commuter. For the older ones, all you need as an F-unit or 2-6-0 and two or three coaches and you're set.
Originally Posted by RJR:
What is the current consist of the Cardinal? I thought it used Viewliners for sleepers and standard coaches & a snack car (rather than a real diner).
1 Locomotive, a baggage car, 1 view liner, a diner-lite and 3 coaches.
It varies wildly though as sometimes Amtrak uses it to ferry equipment to and from Beach Grove.
See also - Heartland Flyer, Winter Capitol Limited (usually 5 cars), some of the regional services out of chicago, or if you want to go back to the early 90's the Desert Wind.
Not every train is long.
Heartland flyer is a nice example of this too. Typically 3 cars and a cabbage
This reminds me of the Texas Eagle when I first rode it in Jan. 1990. It was tri-weekly then, and I rode to San Antonio to connect with the Sunset LTD. for Phoenix. Got me a double bedroom SuperLiner...first time experience in one of these critters. Kinda like the El Cap, but with sleepers. Train was short, and the Mopac was rough ! Just awesome !
Caltrans runs some push-pull regional trains with double-deck cars related to Superliners, I guess. I think the train lengths varied from short to moderate. Sacramento appeared to be an end layover point for multiple trains. The Coast Starlight was just passing through, with me onboard. Second pic is at Emeryville. Both pics from 2006.
