SP Sunset Limited Cars (Budd, 1950 & 1954)

Rainier Rails · **Posted:** Fri Jun 13, 2014 6:15 pm

Thanks, Topfuel, for the info on #3106!

rea_reefwagon · **Joined:** Mon Jan 27, 2014 3:52 am **Posts:** 39

SP 9015/Amtrak 2452 seems to be part of the Texas A&M disaster train:
http://teexblog.blogspot.com/2012_08_01_archive.html

Rainier Rails · **Posted:** Sun Jul 06, 2014 4:14 am

Thanks, REA, for the info and link on SP #9015/Amtrak #2692/#2452 Orange Grove!

Looking at the photos that came with the post, the damage from the wreck in November 1993 can be seen on the roof of #2452, left (roomette side) of center: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRQJrbzwU5I/UD52h24IV-I/AAAAAAAAAqI/n3WvF6AyV0I/s1600/DSC_6887.JPG (click once to enlarge)

Looking at a linked satellite view of the training facility (captured from Google Earth), one can see several other cars acquired from Amtrak, as mentioned in the post: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kp472Mapigc/UD59VR5FKiI/AAAAAAAAAqo/0KCLwY5Z4mg/s1600/aerialamtrak.png (click once to enlarge)

Did some looking, and here are the five other ex-Amtrak cars (all Budd) that I found to be at the facility:

El Capitan HEP Hi-Level transition coach-dormitory #39910 (ex-transition coach #9910, nee-AT&SF #536, Budd, Lot #9679-166, 1956): https://www.flickr.com/photos/teex/6002412685/sizes/l (TEEX photo)

Sunset Limited HEP 44 seat coach #4649 (ex-#4432, nee-SP #2369 [2nd], Budd, Lot #9613-140, 1954): https://www.flickr.com/photos/teex/6500337709/sizes/l (TEEX photo)

Denver Zephyr HEP buffet #8715 (ex-50 seat coach #5015, exx-BN #5085 [not applied], nee-CB&Q #4738 Silver Blanket, Budd, Lot #9613-169, 1956): https://www.flickr.com/photos/teex/6500337709/sizes/l (TEEX photo)

Sunset Limited coach--I have not been able to identify this car, other than it being of SP Sunset Limited heritage, still in Phase I or II paint, so not rebuilt to HEP--either Lot #9613-040 or #9613-140 (could also be from Lot #9618-040)--note the SP #9015 lettering still visible on the numberboard of the Orange Grove in the left background: https://www.flickr.com/photos/teex/6500339111/sizes/l (TEEX photo)

I haven't been able to identify this last car, seen here behind the emergency workers standing on top (the side) of the overturned second Sunset Limited coach, with the Orange Grove to the left: https://www.flickr.com/photos/teex/6500337709/sizes/l (TEEX photo)

Note that the three cars still upright (on rails), #39910, #4649, and #8715, are all on freight trucks.

Sources:

1. "Streamliner Cars Volume Two: The Budd Company" by W. David Randall (RPC Publications, 1981)

2. "Amtrak by the Numbers" by David C. Warner and Elbert Simon (White River Productions, 2011)

3. Mike Palmieri's Amtrak roster

4. Burlington Route Historical Society's CB&Q lightweight passenger car roster: http://www.burlingtonroute.com/docs/rosters/stainlessnumber.html

5. Phil Dohmen's Hi Level page: http://www.trainweb.org/web_lurker/hllounge

Topfuel · **Joined:** Sun Aug 29, 2004 4:49 pm **Posts:** 529

"Sunset Limited[/i] coach--I have not been able to identify this car, other than it being of SP [i]Sunset Limited[/i] heritage, still in Phase I or II paint, so not rebuilt to HEP--either Lot #9613-040 or #9613-140 (could also be from Lot #9618-040)--note the SP #9015 lettering still visible on the numberboard of the [b]Orange Grove[/b] in the left background: [url]https://www.flickr.com/photos/teex/6500339111/sizes/l[/url] (TEEX photo)"

This is the ex-Amtrak 4019, ex-Amtrak 4422, built as SP 2374, Budd 1950. This was an HEP car, so I don't have an explanation for what appears to be the non "Phase III" paint.

"I haven't been able to identify this last car, seen here behind the emergency workers standing on top (the side) of the overturned second [i]Sunset Limited[/i] coach, with the [b]Orange Grove[/b] to the left: [url]https://www.flickr.com/photos/teex/6500337709/sizes/l[/url] (TEEX photo)"

This car is the former Amtrak baggage dorm 1620, ex-Amtrak 1523, ex-SCL 5023, ex-SAL 6051, Budd 1947. To Texas A&M 1994.

The trucks from all of these cars went to Ringling Bros Circus.

jmlaboda · Updated 8/9/17 with 8,402 new links

Quote:

This is the ex-Amtrak 4019, ex-Amtrak 4422, built as SP 2374, Budd 1950. This was an HEP car, so I don't have an explanation for what appears to be the non "Phase III" paint.

But the problem is that some of the earliest cars rebuilt to HEP received the Phase II (equal sized red and blue stripes on white background without blunt arrow) when rebuilt. While it was more common on sleepers and diners a few coaches also received this striping and the reason why it remains on this car is likely because it was retired before receiving new stripes.

Rainier Rails · **Posted:** Sun Jul 06, 2014 4:13 pm

Thanks, Topfuel, for identifying #4019 and #1620!

Rainier Rails · **Posted:** Fri Aug 22, 2014 6:58 am

Rainier Rails wrote:

#3104 to T&NO #302 (1951) to SP #3104 (1961) retained (1971) reconfigured to test & research car #250 and leased to FRA. To SP police mobile command car #250 (for protection of auto racks before the closed versions became common). To UP 1996, sold in 2003 to Dave Varilek-Empire Builder Private Cars (Fremont, NE).

The #3104 was acquired by Iowa Pacific and departed Fremont, NE, on the morning of Thursday, August 21st, for Alamosa, as posted by "wpjones" on Trainorders:

Thread from 8/20: http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,3499937

Thread from 8/21: http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,3500802

Sources:

1. "Streamliner Cars Volume Two: The Budd Company" by W. David Randall (RPC Publications, 1981)

2. Don Strack's UP passenger car roster pages:

___2a. Main page: http://utahrails.net/pass/pass-index.php

___2b. Listing for SP #3104 (as UPP #2500): http://utahrails.net/pass/heritage-fleet-3.php#upp2500

3. Richard Percy's page on the #250 while in use by SP Police: http://espee.railfan.net/sp-police-passenger.html

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Additions and corrections are welcome. Thanks in advance.

Rainier Rails · **Posted:** Sun Aug 31, 2014 9:38 pm

Rainier Rails wrote:

25 cars, Budd, Lot #9660-040, Plan #9522, 1950, 10RM-6DB sleepers:

Ordered in June 1948 and delivered between March and June 1950.

#9013 to Amtrak #2690 to HEP #2454 and named Redwood Grove (1981). Wrecked in 6-1994. Scrapped?? Current status unknown.

Currently for sale on Ozark Mountain Railcar: http://www.ozarkmountainrailcar.com/detail.asp?id=1562&n=Southern-Pacific-Sleeper-2454-NEW

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Additions and corrections are welcome. Thanks in advance.

Rainier Rails · **Posted:** Sat Feb 07, 2015 6:15 am

Rainier Rails wrote:

15 cars, Budd, Lot #9613-140, 1954, 83-C-4 44 seat chair:

Ordered in February 1953 and delivered between March and April 1954.

#2373 (2nd) to Amtrak #4436 to HEP 40 seat ADA coach #4005 (1980). Retired and sold in 2003 to MRLX and named Golden Shore (#800881).

The Golden Shore is now lettered as Great Lakes Rail Car (GTLX). Was/is the Golden Shore owned by an individual or leasing group which utilized the MRLX reporting marks?

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Additions and corrections are welcome. Thanks in advance.

Rainier Rails · **Posted:** Sat Jun 06, 2015 6:25 am

Rainier Rails wrote:

5 cars, Budd, Lot #9614-040, 1950, 83-BD-2 baggage-16 bunk dormitory:

Ordered in June 1948 and delivered between June and July 1950.

#3103 to T&NO #301 (1951) to SP #3103 (1961) to Amtrak #1531 to HEP #1622 (1980). Stored in 1994 and sold (when??) to ITAX, later (when??) to AOE, reconfigured to laundry-storage and named Los Angeles (#800715). Current status unknown.

MRLX1020 wrote:

Was purchased from American Rail Explorer by Bill Wherry, who had it re-trucked on a set of UP OSH disc brake trucks. Mr. Wherry passed away, and the car still sits at Burnham Shops in Denver awaiting disposition from his estate.

As posted by Topfuel in the AOE roster thread, the #3103/#800715 Los Angeles was sold in January to Jon Clark.

_________________
Additions and corrections are welcome. Thanks in advance.

Don C. · **Posted:** Sat Jun 06, 2015 8:24 am

SP 10-6 9014, Amtrak 2691, then Amtrak 2450 "Beech Grove" was purchased by FO 261 and held at their facility until being sold to Loram and converted into a dorm for a rail grinder train.

Don C.

Rainier Rails · **Posted:** Mon Sep 07, 2015 3:56 am

Don C. wrote:

SP 10-6 9014, Amtrak 2691, then Amtrak 2450 "Beech Grove" was purchased by FO 261 and held at their facility until being sold to Loram and converted into a dorm for a rail grinder train.

Thanks, Don, for the info! I had in my notes that the Friends of the 261 had acquired former UP 10RM-6DB sleeper #1403 Pacific Beauty/Amtrak #2602/HEP #2880, which is now Loram (CNRX) #2660. If the #2660 is actually the former Beech Grove, then does anybody know the current whereabouts of the Pacific Beauty? Or were there 2 sleepers acquired by Loram from the 261 group? Thanks in advance!

An Update:

Rainier Rails wrote:

#9018 to Amtrak #2694 to HEP #2447 and named Sycamore Grove (1980). Retired and sold in 2002 to ITAX. Current status unknown.

The Sycamore Grove is currently listed for sale on Ozark Mountain Railcar's website. The listing was posted on December 2nd of last year: http://www.ozarkmountainrailcar.com/detail.asp?id=1635&n=Sycamore-Grove