Did Amtrak Use a Caboose?

[txstars15]

I will be running a Phase III Amtrak line but have never seen an Amtrak caboose. Did they run any kind of a caboose, or just end the train with the last car? Also, would baggage/material handling cars be at the front or rear of the train?

Thanks.

 

[Trucula]

try this:

http://www.trainweb.org/mdamtrak199/amtpp/14033caboosewilm.html

 

[txstars15]

Thanks Bob, but there is sure one ugly stick caboose! A big orange box on wheels-no style at all. It looks totally out of place but proves the point. Now if I can just find one.....

 

[Trucula]

That was a transfer caboose...and yeah...UGLY!

heres another type
http://www.trainweb.org/railpix/a14000s1.jpg

 

[FunValleyLine]

Ohhh!!!! Yuck

 

[DirtyD79]

I think those bright orange cabooses were probably used on their MOW trains. As for the material handling cars I think the green railbox looking boxcars are always at the end and mail handling boxcars are at the front. Sometimes they also like to tack on some US mail roadrailers at the end. Many times though I've seen them just end the train with the last passenger car especially on commuter trains.

 

[bnsf sammy]

Also, would baggage/material handling cars be at the front or rear of the train?

If you are using the MHC cars (ex. http://walthers.com/exec/productinfo/932-6021 ) they can be placed either at the front of the train or the end. The baggage car is almost always placed as the first car after the locomotive. However, if you are using the Box cars (ex. ExpressTrak, Road Railers, http://walthers.com/exec/productinfo/932-6045 ) those need to be placed at the rear because they are not equiped with HEP components that transfer the HEP from the locomotives to the passenger cars.

Are you modeling a specific Amtrak train? (i.e. Coast Starlight, SW Chief, etc)

 

[sushob]

What is correct would depend on the specific train you're modeling, but any of these might look nice behind your passenger cars:


Bowser #55013 HO N-5 Caboose ~ AMTRAK (ORANGE)


Bowser #55014 HO N-5 Caboose ~ AMTRAK (ORANGE)


Bowser #55510 HO 53' RoadRailer® ~ PLATE WALL AMTRAK


Bowser #55521 HO 53' RoadRailer® ~ SIDE DOOR AMTRAK


Bowser #55531 HO 53' RoadRailer® ~ DURAPLATE AMTRAK EXPRESS TRAK


Bowser #55701 53' RoadRailer® ~ SMOOTH WALL AMTRAK