Heritage Fleet
Encyclopedia
Heritage Fleet was a program started by Amtrak in 1977 to convert its older, mainly streamlined
, cars from steam heating
to head end power
. Head end power
conversions were performed at Amtrak
's heavy repair center in Beech Grove, Indiana
, outside of Indianapolis
. The program was completed by the mid 1980s.
Most Heritage Fleet cars have been retired from Amtrak service.
s, diners, and sleepers.
The "Pacific Parlour" Hi-Level lounges
are still used, primarily along the Pacific Coast between Los Angeles and Seattle. One former Great Northern Railway full-length dome car is occasionally used on special trains.
Most of these cars are intended to be retired by the Viewliner order that was placed in 2010 for delivery starting in 2012.
Streamliner cars (rail)
The streamliners are a class of streamlined railway cars built in the forties and fifties of the twentieth century for long distance passenger railservices in North America.-Predecessors:...
, cars from steam heating
Steam generator (railroad)
Steam generator is the term used to describe a type of boiler used to produce steam for climate control and potable water heating in railroad passenger cars...
to head end power
Head end power
Head end power or electric train supply is a rail transport term for the electrical power distribution system on a passenger train. The power source, usually a locomotive at the front or “head” of a train or a generator car, generates all the electricity used for lighting, electrical and other...
. Head end power
Head end power
Head end power or electric train supply is a rail transport term for the electrical power distribution system on a passenger train. The power source, usually a locomotive at the front or “head” of a train or a generator car, generates all the electricity used for lighting, electrical and other...
conversions were performed at Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
's heavy repair center in Beech Grove, Indiana
Beech Grove, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 14,880 people, 6,085 households, and 3,839 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,462.5 people per square mile . There were 6,506 housing units at an average density of 1,513.9 per square mile...
, outside of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
. The program was completed by the mid 1980s.
Most Heritage Fleet cars have been retired from Amtrak service.
Usage
Several Heritage cars are still in use, mostly baggage carBaggage car
A baggage car or luggage van is a type of railway vehicle often forming part of the composition of passenger trains and used to carry passengers' checked baggage, as well as parcels . Being typically coupled at the front of the train behind the locomotive, this type of car is sometimes described...
s, diners, and sleepers.
The "Pacific Parlour" Hi-Level lounges
Lounge car
A lounge car is a type of passenger car on a train, where riders can purchase food and drinks. The car may feature large windows and comfortable seating to create a relaxing diversion from standard coach or dining options...
are still used, primarily along the Pacific Coast between Los Angeles and Seattle. One former Great Northern Railway full-length dome car is occasionally used on special trains.
Most of these cars are intended to be retired by the Viewliner order that was placed in 2010 for delivery starting in 2012.
Heritage Fleet roster (including baggage cars)
Fleet numbers | Type | Builder | Year built | Number built | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1000–1006 | Baggage | NSC | 1957–1958 | 7 | |
1127 | Baggage | ACF American Car and Foundry Company American Car and Foundry is a manufacturer of railroad rolling stock. One of its subsidiaries was once a manufacturer of motor coaches and trolley coaches under the brand names of ACF and ACF-Brill. Today ACF is known as ACF Industries LLC and is based in St. Charles, Missouri... |
1950 | 1 | |
1126, 1128–1136, 1175–1177 | Baggage | P-S | 1947–1957 | 13 | |
1137–1138 | Baggage | ACF American Car and Foundry Company American Car and Foundry is a manufacturer of railroad rolling stock. One of its subsidiaries was once a manufacturer of motor coaches and trolley coaches under the brand names of ACF and ACF-Brill. Today ACF is known as ACF Industries LLC and is based in St. Charles, Missouri... |
1956 | 2 | |
1139 | Baggage | StLC St. Louis Car Company The St. Louis Car Company was a major United States manufacturer of railroad passenger cars, streetcars, trolleybuses and locomotives that existed from 1887–1973, based in St. Louis, Missouri.-History:... |
1962 | 1 | |
1140–1158 | Baggage | ACF American Car and Foundry Company American Car and Foundry is a manufacturer of railroad rolling stock. One of its subsidiaries was once a manufacturer of motor coaches and trolley coaches under the brand names of ACF and ACF-Brill. Today ACF is known as ACF Industries LLC and is based in St. Charles, Missouri... |
1946–1947 | 13 | |
1159–1174 | Baggage | Budd Budd Company The Budd Company is a metal fabricator and major supplier of body components to the automobile industry, and was formerly a manufacturer of stainless steel passenger rail cars during the 20th century.... |
1947–1953 | 16 | |
1178–1195 | Baggage | StLC St. Louis Car Company The St. Louis Car Company was a major United States manufacturer of railroad passenger cars, streetcars, trolleybuses and locomotives that existed from 1887–1973, based in St. Louis, Missouri.-History:... |
1952–1954 | 17 | Rebuilt from Baggage Dormitories and Lounges |
1203–1249 | Baggage | Budd Budd Company The Budd Company is a metal fabricator and major supplier of body components to the automobile industry, and was formerly a manufacturer of stainless steel passenger rail cars during the 20th century.... |
1953–1957 | 46 | |
1250–1272 | Baggage | ACF American Car and Foundry Company American Car and Foundry is a manufacturer of railroad rolling stock. One of its subsidiaries was once a manufacturer of motor coaches and trolley coaches under the brand names of ACF and ACF-Brill. Today ACF is known as ACF Industries LLC and is based in St. Charles, Missouri... |
1950–1954 | 23 | |
1350–1379 | Short Baggage | StLC St. Louis Car Company The St. Louis Car Company was a major United States manufacturer of railroad passenger cars, streetcars, trolleybuses and locomotives that existed from 1887–1973, based in St. Louis, Missouri.-History:... |
1953 | 30 | |
1450–1455 | Baggage Dormitory | StLC St. Louis Car Company The St. Louis Car Company was a major United States manufacturer of railroad passenger cars, streetcars, trolleybuses and locomotives that existed from 1887–1973, based in St. Louis, Missouri.-History:... |
1952 | 4 | |
1610–1617, 1628–1633 | Baggage Dormitory | StLC St. Louis Car Company The St. Louis Car Company was a major United States manufacturer of railroad passenger cars, streetcars, trolleybuses and locomotives that existed from 1887–1973, based in St. Louis, Missouri.-History:... |
1952 | 14 | Some renumbered from 1400 series |
1618–1627 | Baggage Dormitory | Budd Budd Company The Budd Company is a metal fabricator and major supplier of body components to the automobile industry, and was formerly a manufacturer of stainless steel passenger rail cars during the 20th century.... |
1946–1950 | 9 | |
1700–1740 | Baggage | Budd Budd Company The Budd Company is a metal fabricator and major supplier of body components to the automobile industry, and was formerly a manufacturer of stainless steel passenger rail cars during the 20th century.... |
1950–1961 | 39 | Converted from 4000, 4600, 4700 series coaches |
1750–1763 | Mail Car | Budd Budd Company The Budd Company is a metal fabricator and major supplier of body components to the automobile industry, and was formerly a manufacturer of stainless steel passenger rail cars during the 20th century.... |
1950–1961 | 14 | Converted from lower 1700 series Baggage cars |
2050–2056 | Slumbercoach Slumbercoach The Slumbercoach is an 85-foot-long, 24 single room, 8 double room streamlined sleeping car originally built in 1956 by the Budd Company for the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad for service on the Denver Zephyr... (16 Single, 10 Double Slumbercoach) |
Budd Budd Company The Budd Company is a metal fabricator and major supplier of body components to the automobile industry, and was formerly a manufacturer of stainless steel passenger rail cars during the 20th century.... |
1949 | 7 | |
2080–2097 | Slumbercoach Slumbercoach The Slumbercoach is an 85-foot-long, 24 single room, 8 double room streamlined sleeping car originally built in 1956 by the Budd Company for the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad for service on the Denver Zephyr... (24 Single, 8 Double Slumbercoach) |
Budd Budd Company The Budd Company is a metal fabricator and major supplier of body components to the automobile industry, and was formerly a manufacturer of stainless steel passenger rail cars during the 20th century.... |
1956–1959 | 18 | |
2220–2222 | Sleeper Sleeping car The sleeping car or sleeper is a railway/railroad passenger car that can accommodate all its passengers in beds of one kind or another, primarily for the purpose of making nighttime travel more restful. The first such cars saw sporadic use on American railroads in the 1830s and could be configured... (11 Bedroom) |
Budd Budd Company The Budd Company is a metal fabricator and major supplier of body components to the automobile industry, and was formerly a manufacturer of stainless steel passenger rail cars during the 20th century.... |
1952–1956 | 3 | |
2230–2235 | Sleeper (11 Bedroom) | P-S | 1956 | 6 | |
2430–2482 | Sleeper (ADA 10 Roomette, 6 Bedroom) | Budd Budd Company The Budd Company is a metal fabricator and major supplier of body components to the automobile industry, and was formerly a manufacturer of stainless steel passenger rail cars during the 20th century.... |
1948–1952 | 40 | |
2500–2524 | Dormitory Lounge | Budd Budd Company The Budd Company is a metal fabricator and major supplier of body components to the automobile industry, and was formerly a manufacturer of stainless steel passenger rail cars during the 20th century.... |
1949–1950 | 25 | Rebuilt from 2800-2900 series sleepers |
2871–2997 | Sleeper (10 Roomette, 6 Bedroom) | Budd Budd Company The Budd Company is a metal fabricator and major supplier of body components to the automobile industry, and was formerly a manufacturer of stainless steel passenger rail cars during the 20th century.... |
1949–1956 | 36 | |
3100–3105 | Lounge | StLC St. Louis Car Company The St. Louis Car Company was a major United States manufacturer of railroad passenger cars, streetcars, trolleybuses and locomotives that existed from 1887–1973, based in St. Louis, Missouri.-History:... |
1954 | 6 | |
3106–3127 | Lounge | Budd Budd Company The Budd Company is a metal fabricator and major supplier of body components to the automobile industry, and was formerly a manufacturer of stainless steel passenger rail cars during the 20th century.... |
1948–1952 | 20 | |
4000–4023 | Coach (ADA 44 Seat) | Budd Budd Company The Budd Company is a metal fabricator and major supplier of body components to the automobile industry, and was formerly a manufacturer of stainless steel passenger rail cars during the 20th century.... |
1950–1954 | 21 | |
4600–4626, 4646–4647 | Coach (44 Seat) | StLC St. Louis Car Company The St. Louis Car Company was a major United States manufacturer of railroad passenger cars, streetcars, trolleybuses and locomotives that existed from 1887–1973, based in St. Louis, Missouri.-History:... |
1960–1964 | 29 | |
4627–4645, 4648–4649 | Coach (44 Seat) | Budd Budd Company The Budd Company is a metal fabricator and major supplier of body components to the automobile industry, and was formerly a manufacturer of stainless steel passenger rail cars during the 20th century.... |
1950–1961 | 21 | |
4700–4742 | Coach (48 Seat) | Budd Budd Company The Budd Company is a metal fabricator and major supplier of body components to the automobile industry, and was formerly a manufacturer of stainless steel passenger rail cars during the 20th century.... |
1948–1953 | 43 | |
7000–7007 | Coach (ADA 85 Seat) | Budd Budd Company The Budd Company is a metal fabricator and major supplier of body components to the automobile industry, and was formerly a manufacturer of stainless steel passenger rail cars during the 20th century.... |
1952 | 8 | |
7600–7629 | Coach (85 Seat) | Budd Budd Company The Budd Company is a metal fabricator and major supplier of body components to the automobile industry, and was formerly a manufacturer of stainless steel passenger rail cars during the 20th century.... |
1952–1953 | 29 | Some cars rebuilt from 4700 series |
8500–8532 | Diner | Budd Budd Company The Budd Company is a metal fabricator and major supplier of body components to the automobile industry, and was formerly a manufacturer of stainless steel passenger rail cars during the 20th century.... |
1948–1958 | 32 | Some cars rebuilt from 8700 series |
8550–8559 | Diner Grill | Budd Budd Company The Budd Company is a metal fabricator and major supplier of body components to the automobile industry, and was formerly a manufacturer of stainless steel passenger rail cars during the 20th century.... |
1948–1958 | 10 | Rebuilt from lower 8500 series |
8600–8603 | Table Car | StLC St. Louis Car Company The St. Louis Car Company was a major United States manufacturer of railroad passenger cars, streetcars, trolleybuses and locomotives that existed from 1887–1973, based in St. Louis, Missouri.-History:... |
1960–1964 | 4 | Rebuilt from 4600 series |
8700–8716 | Cafeteria | Budd Budd Company The Budd Company is a metal fabricator and major supplier of body components to the automobile industry, and was formerly a manufacturer of stainless steel passenger rail cars during the 20th century.... |
1950–1956 | 12 | |
8750–8752 | Kitchen | Budd Budd Company The Budd Company is a metal fabricator and major supplier of body components to the automobile industry, and was formerly a manufacturer of stainless steel passenger rail cars during the 20th century.... |
1949 | 3 | Rebuilt from 8500 series |
9300–9302 | Dome Lounge | Budd Budd Company The Budd Company is a metal fabricator and major supplier of body components to the automobile industry, and was formerly a manufacturer of stainless steel passenger rail cars during the 20th century.... |
1955 | 3 | |
9310–9312 | Dome Lounge | P-S | 1952 | 3 | |
9400–9412 | Dome Coach | Budd Budd Company The Budd Company is a metal fabricator and major supplier of body components to the automobile industry, and was formerly a manufacturer of stainless steel passenger rail cars during the 20th century.... |
1955 | 13 | |
39900–39938 | High Level Transition Coach Dorm | Budd Budd Company The Budd Company is a metal fabricator and major supplier of body components to the automobile industry, and was formerly a manufacturer of stainless steel passenger rail cars during the 20th century.... |
1956–1964 | 37 | Ex-Santa Fe Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway , often abbreviated as Santa Fe, was one of the larger railroads in the United States. The company was first chartered in February 1859... , El Capitan service |
39940–39964 | High Level Coach | Budd Budd Company The Budd Company is a metal fabricator and major supplier of body components to the automobile industry, and was formerly a manufacturer of stainless steel passenger rail cars during the 20th century.... |
1956–1964 | 20 | Ex-Santa Fe Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway , often abbreviated as Santa Fe, was one of the larger railroads in the United States. The company was first chartered in February 1859... , El Capitan service |
39970–39975 | High Level Lounge | Budd Budd Company The Budd Company is a metal fabricator and major supplier of body components to the automobile industry, and was formerly a manufacturer of stainless steel passenger rail cars during the 20th century.... |
1956 | 6 | Ex-Santa Fe Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway , often abbreviated as Santa Fe, was one of the larger railroads in the United States. The company was first chartered in February 1859... , El Capitan service |
39980–39985 | High Level Diner | Budd Budd Company The Budd Company is a metal fabricator and major supplier of body components to the automobile industry, and was formerly a manufacturer of stainless steel passenger rail cars during the 20th century.... |
1956 | 6 | Ex-Santa Fe Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway , often abbreviated as Santa Fe, was one of the larger railroads in the United States. The company was first chartered in February 1859... , El Capitan service |