Amtrak Selling Off The Last(?) Heritage Fleet

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Tue Nov 20, 2018 9:26 pm

Clipped from Amtrak's own website:

https://procurement.amtrak.com/irj/port ... 1cc142f8cc

Quote:

November 19, 2018
Sales Offer: 2019-29
BID CLOSING DATE: JANUARY 4, 2019

To Whom It May Concern:

The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK) has for sale Railcars (99 Total Units) as listed on the attachment. The equipment will be sold on a competitive bid, “AS IS – WHERE IS” basis. Except for warranty of title, Amtrak makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the quality, workmanship, design, merchantability, suitability or fitness for any particular purpose or any other warranty or representation express or implied.

Conditions of Sale:

1. Bidders must quote a firm price as indicated on the attachment/pricing sheet.
2. An award, if any, will be based on highest responsive, responsible, qualified bidder, for each, or any combination of units, as determined to be in the best interest of Amtrak.
3. Amtrak reserves the right to accept or reject any part of any and all bids received.
4. All awards are contingent on Amtrak obtaining FRA Release of Lien.
5. Equipment awarded under this Sales Offer must be removed within ninety (90) days of notification of award.
6. Failure to respond to an award letter may void the award.
7. Donation requests (Railroad Museums, Railroad Preservation and Historical Societies): All donation requests for equipment listed on this Sales Offer must be accompanied by a letter on museum letterhead, stating the reason for the donation request and the intended use of the equipment requested should the donation be granted. Please note that Donation requests are not exempt from any Conditions of Sale term (1-10).
8. Transportation, switching or other charges incident to the movement of the cars from their present locations will be the responsibility of the purchaser and/or donee (“Buyer”). The cars or locomotives must be removed from their present location by the Buyer, at their risk. Preparation work to meet acceptable AAR interchange rules for movement in freight service must be performed by the Buyer. Amtrak will not perform any required work on the equipment.
9. Arrangements with a freight railroad for the movement of the equipment are to be made by the Buyer and all cost and risk associated with the movement are at the Buyer’s expense. Amtrak could obtain an FRA waiver if successful Buyer wants the equipment moved to their location. The movement would be at successful Buyer’s expense. The equipment will not be moved in Amtrak service.
10. Note: If any equipment is dismantled on site, Railroad Protective Liability Insurance is required. If your activity is to be included under Amtrak’s Blanket Policy, the cost is $250.00 which is in addition to your bid price. All employees of successful bidder must have a valid RWP Contractor card. The training is available online at http://www.amtrakcontractor.com

INSPECTION INSTRUCTIONS:

Location: Amtrak Beech Grove Facility, 202 Garstang St., Beech Grove, IN 46203
Contact: Eric Sexton (317) 491-8761
Arrangements may be made to visit sites and review actual equipment from December 3, 2018 through December 14, 2018 appointments only; Monday, Wednesday & Friday” Hours: 9 AM to 1 PM
Protective footwear, safety glasses and hard hats must be worn for inspection.

Location: Amtrak Washington Facility, 1401 W. Street, NE, Washington, DC 20018
Contact: Robert Frank (202) 329-7372
Arrangements may be made to visit sites and review actual equipment from December 10, 208 through December 14, 2018 by appointment only.
Protective footwear, safety glasses and hard hats must be worn for inspection.

Location: Amtrak Los Angeles Facility, 2468 E. 16th St., Los Angeles, CA 90021
Contact: Matt Cahoon (213) 276-0833
Arrangements may be made to visit sites and review actual equipment from December 10, 208 through December 20, 2018 by appointment only.
Protective footwear, safety glasses and hard hats must be worn for inspection.

Questions may be addressed to assetrecovery@amtrak.com until December 28, 2018.

Sales Offer Documents and information can be viewed using Amtrak’s Procurement Portal at https://procurement.amtrak.com

Bids for this sales offer must be received in this office by the close of business on the bid closing date.
Bids should be emailed to assetrecovery@amtrak.com. Bids should reference the Sale Offer number, company name, address and contact telephone number.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

ALL MATERIAL WILL BE SOLD ON AN “AS IS - WHERE IS” BASIS. AMTRAK MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE QUALITY, WORKMANSHIP, DESIGN, MERCHANTABILITY, SUITABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR ANY OTHER WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.
AMTRAK ALSO RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ACCEPT OR REJECT ANY PART OF ANY AND ALL BIDS RECEIVED.
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WILL BE NOTIFIED WITHIN TEN (10) BUSINESS DAYS AFTER CLOSING DATE.

PAYMENT AS AGREED AT TIME OF BID ACCEPTANCE. ANY COMMUNICATION REGARDING SALE AWARD MUST MAKE REFERENCE TO AMTRAK’S SALES OFFER NUMBER.

BASIS OF AWARD:

1. An award, if any, will be based on highest responsive, responsible, qualified bidder, for each, or any combination of units, as determined to be in the best interest of Amtrak.

AMTRAK RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CANCEL THE SALES ORDER AND RESOLICIT OR SELL TO THE NEXT HIGHEST BIDDER FOR ANY ITEMS NOT REMOVED AND/OR PAID FOR WITHIN 30 CALENDAR DAYS OF THE INVOICE DATE.

Confidentiality of Data Submitted (to be submitted with your bid):

Please indicate, by checking one of the blocks below, if your firm considers any or all of the information submitted by it to be confidential and not customarily released to the public:
( ) All information submitted herewith is considered to be of a confidential nature and is not customarily released to the public.
( ) Only the following information is considered to be of a confidential nature and is not customarily released to the public:

___________________________________________________________________________________

Sincerely,

Darlene Severson
Lead Asset Recovery Specialist

AND NOW THE LIST:

Quote:

Amtrak® - Request for Bid
SALE OFFER 2019-29

Sale of Surplus Rolling Stock Equipment Rail Cars

Description: Amtrak is soliciting bids for various decommissioned inactive fleet cars.

LINE #1 - Heritage Baggage Cars – Weight 117,000 lbs. each

CAR # DESCRIPTION LOCATION BID PRICE:

#1126 1962 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1127 1946 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1132 1957 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1135 1957 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1160 1953 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1161 1953 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1162 1953 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1163 1953 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1164 1953 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1165 1953 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1171 1948 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1172 1948 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1203 1953 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1204 1953 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1208 1953 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1210 1953 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1211 1953 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1212 1953 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1213 1953 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1215 1953 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1221 1953 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1223 1953 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1226 1953 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1229 1953 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1230 1953 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1234 1953 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1235 1953 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1236 1953 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1239 1953 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1241 1953 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1242 1953 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1244 1953 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1245 1953 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1246 1953 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1247 1953 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1248 1953 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1249 1953 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1250 1955 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1251 1955 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1252 1955 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1255 1955 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1257 1955 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1258 1955 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1261 1955 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1264 1955 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1265 1955 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1267 1955 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1269 1955 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1272 1955 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1855 1953 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#1857 1953 Heritage Baggage Car Beech Grove, IN _________

LINE #2 – Heritage Crew Dorm Car - Weight 130,000 lbs. each

#2500 1949 Heritage Crew Dorm Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#2501 1949 Heritage Crew Dorm Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#2503 1949 Heritage Crew Dorm Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#2505 1949 Heritage Crew Dorm Car Washington, DC _________
#2506 1949 Heritage Crew Dorm Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#2507 1949 Heritage Crew Dorm Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#2510 1949 Heritage Crew Dorm Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#2511 1949 Heritage Crew Dorm Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#2512 1949 Heritage Crew Dorm Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#2513 1949 Heritage Crew Dorm Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#2514 1949 Heritage Crew Dorm Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#2515 1949 Heritage Crew Dorm Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#2516 1949 Heritage Crew Dorm Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#2517 1949 Heritage Crew Dorm Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#2518 1949 Heritage Crew Dorm Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#2519 1949 Heritage Crew Dorm Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#2523 1949 Heritage Crew Dorm Car Beech Grove, IN _________
#2524 1949 Heritage Crew Dorm Car Beech Grove, IN _________

LINE #3 – Heritage Diner Car - Weight 154,500 lbs. each

#8502 1952 Heritage Diner Car Beech Grove, IN CB&Q 198 Silver Cuisine
#8504 1948 Heritage Diner Car Beech Grove, IN CB&Q 195 Silver Restaurant
#8507 1958 Heritage Diner Car Beech Grove, IN NP 463
#8509 1958 Heritage Diner Car Beech Grove, IN NP 460
#8510 1948 Heritage Diner Car Beech Grove, IN CB&Q 193
#8511 1948 Heritage Diner Car Beech Grove, IN PC 4554
#8512 1948 Heritage Diner Car Beech Grove, IN PC 4563
#8521 1949 Heritage Diner Car Beech Grove, IN SR 3306
#8524 1949 Heritage Diner Car Beech Grove, IN SR 3309
#8527 1950 Heritage Diner Car Beech Grove, IN SP 10212
#8528 1950 Heritage Diner Car Beech Grove, IN SP 10213
#8532 1956 Heritage Diner Car Beech Grove, IN CB&Q 4739

LINE #4 – Heritage Diner Grill - Weight 153,000 lbs. each

#8550 1958 Heritage Diner Grill Beech Grove, IN BN 1296
#8551 1949 Heritage Diner Grill Beech Grove, IN CB&Q 194
#8552 1958 Heritage Diner Grill Beech Grove, IN NP 461
#8553 1948 Heritage Diner Grill Beech Grove, IN PC 4552
#8554 1948 Heritage Diner Grill Beech Grove, IN PC 4561
#8558 1949 Heritage Diner Grill Beech Grove, IN SR 3307
#8559 1950 Heritage Diner Grill Beech Grove, IN SP 10210

LINE #5 – Heritage SF High Level Coach - Weight 160,000 lbs. each

CAR # DESCRIPTION LOCATION BID PRICE:

#39940 1956 Heritage SF High Level Coach Beech Grove, IN _________
#39952 1956 Heritage SF High Level Coach Beech Grove, IN _________
#39953 1956 Heritage SF High Level Coach Beech Grove, IN _________
#39957 1956 Heritage SF High Level Coach Beech Grove, IN _________

LINE #6 – Refrigeration Express Car - Weight 160,000 lbs. each

CAR # DESCRIPTION LOCATION BID PRICE:

#74003 1970 Refrigeration Express Car Los Angeles, CA _________
#74011 1970 Refrigeration Express Car Los Angeles, CA _________
#74014 1970 Refrigeration Express Car Los Angeles, CA _________
#74022 1970 Refrigeration Express Car Los Angeles, CA _________
#74029 1970 Refrigeration Express Car Los Angeles, CA _________
#74062 1970 Refrigeration Express Car Los Angeles, CA _________
#74095 1970 Refrigeration Express Car Los Angeles, CA _________

BID CLOSE DATE: JANUARY 4, 2019
Asset Recovery E-Mail: assetrecovery@amtrak.com

You need more history info? Try here:
http://on-track-on-line.com/amtrak-roster.shtml

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Tue Nov 20, 2018 9:35 pm

My comments:

From what I am to understand, this is IT: The last pre-Amtrak rolling stock still retained by Amtrak.

The diners are the "hot ticket." Several museums had better be on the ball if they want to represent food service in their collections, as most of these survivors are their last chance. I'm going to update the list above with diners' former owners/numbers as acquired by Amtrak.

There are four Santa Fe bilevel coaches in this lot as well.

As with last time, there IS a provision for request for donation to non-profits in the text.

We have not yet heard of any results from the last offer of excess rolling stock. Anyone want to announce any winners/saves yet?

jayrod · **Posted:** Tue Nov 20, 2018 10:19 pm

And....

Does anyone have any idea as to the condition of these cars? If they're totally picked over, then "meh". If in halfway decent condition, then hmmmmm....

PaulWWoodring · **Posted:** Wed Nov 21, 2018 8:38 am

A crew/dorm could be useful to operations like Fort Wayne or the 261 or 4449 people, those who sometimes operate far afield from home base, and could use facilities for traveling volunteers and supplies. Probably need a good fumigation before use, knowing what the rap on crew cars was when I worked for Amtrak.

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

"...The diners are the "hot ticket." Several museums had better be on the ball if they want to represent food service in their collections, as most of these survivors are their last chance...."

Maybe a hot ticket, but maybe not. It depends on what you want to represent. Keep in mind that these cars have little, if any, of their original interiors and exteriors intact. The kitchens were gutted years ago during initial conversion to HEP, and many kitchens were gutted a 2nd time during heavy overhauls years later. The loading doors were moved around. And most of the dining rooms retain little if any original fabric, save for some ceiling light fixtures in some cases. Some cars were completely gutted down to the structure, end to end, before being given all-new interiors. So these diners bear little resemblance to their as-built configuration, except that they are still more or less 48 seat diners in most cases. On the other hand, if you want to represent a 1990's to 2000's Amtrak Heritage Fleet low-level diner, then you're in business. Just don't go repainting it or re-lettering it for it's original railroad, since they just aren't anything like they were as-built.

Crescent-Zephyr · **Joined:** Wed Jan 20, 2016 1:15 pm **Posts:** 1800

If an operation like TVRM can fully restore 2 southern steam locomotives to "as used by the southern" condition, im sure they can knock it out of the park with a former southern diner that was operating on the mainline a couple of years ago.

bory2502 · **Posted:** Wed Nov 21, 2018 3:54 pm

The Dorm Lounges will most likely be picked over. When I purchased the Pacific View (2502) in 2003 Amtrak got caught trying to rob parts off of the car after it was sold. They were trying to piece out the waste retention system since it used identical parts that the Superliners used. As well as robbing electrical components from the electrical locker for use on the Heritage diners. Luckily Amtrak admitted their wrong doing and I allowed them to take several of the valves off the waste retention system to get 3 superliners out the door that were waiting on these valves. A few weeks later Amtrak called while we were prepping the car and gave us all new valves for the waste retention system.

At this point I would think these cars have been picked over by Amtrak for parts. Especially the waste retention system. I know about 10 years ago talking with some people that worked up there, they had a problem with the homeless that took over the dorm lounges as well as being hit by copper thieves since they were stored on the back side of property for such a long time. Sounds like some of the cars were trashed.

Chris Edwards
Batavia & Ohio Railway Services, LLC.

CREEPING DEATH · **Joined:** Sun Oct 24, 2010 6:22 pm **Posts:** 275

Are the results from the last sale posted anywhere?

CD

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Wed Nov 21, 2018 9:13 pm

I'm in touch with several groups that requested donation of, or made bids for, particular cars from the last offer, and all of them/us are getting antsy. At least two have said they have contacted Amtrak for an update, with no response yet.

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Wed Nov 21, 2018 9:50 pm

The following has been posted online by Jonathan Hinely that is said to be a list of all cars offered with their past heritage, and in some cases builders [UPDATE: All cars are Budd-built except those otherwise marked]. This should open a PDF in your browser. I will see if I can copy/paste the data here:

https://lookaside.fbsbx.com/file/Amtrak ... TSYPi1Uxoa

https://www.facebook.com/download/74924 ... 2vWhGU6NHu

filmteknik · **Posted:** Wed Nov 21, 2018 10:24 pm

Surely they will hold on to a few bags that they need to pad out the Illini & Saluki to meet CN's 7 car axle count. It would be kind of stupid to run new equipment in that "service."

usaf_andrew · **Joined:** Thu Nov 26, 2009 5:32 pm **Posts:** 30

[quote="Alexander D. Mitchell IV"]The following has been posted online by Jonathan Hinely /quote]

I don't know that I would trust anything from Mr. Hinely. He destroyed his credibility several times through his actions. I would take him with a grain of salt...

Termite7 · **Joined:** Thu Aug 21, 2008 8:29 pm **Posts:** 397

I am going to agree with Topfuel...those diners are not recognizeable on the inside anymore. I was actually inside the kitchen of an Amtrak diner in operation and it was an eye-opener. Every surface was completely changed...there were few actual food prep areas...just a small flat-top...a bank of convection ovens and some warming tables...it was more like one would see in a modern school cafeteria. The food was (for the most part) pre-prepared in big disposable aluminum pans (like the fried chicken) or delivered frozen in giant plastic bags (like alfredo sauce). Only a few items were actually "cooked" on the cars...steaks and maybe eggs made to order? I doubt there is enough money in the world to justify "restoring" the interior of one of these cars...nothing resembled a Budd diner anywhere on the inside. Not the ceiling...not the walls...nothing. It was all covered in stainless panels. None of the post-was charm was left at all.

So...you could do "something" with one of these cars but you would need to take a serious look at an organization's food service and determine what kind of food you could prepare with this very modern and specalized kitchen. It would surely be easier then trying to rip everything out and starting over.

T7

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Fri Nov 23, 2018 2:06 am

usaf_andrew wrote:

Alexander D. Mitchell IV wrote:

The following has been posted online by Jonathan Hinely /quote]

I don't know that I would trust anything from Mr. Hinely. He destroyed his credibility several times through his actions. I would take him with a grain of salt...

The few listings that I'm in a position to spot-check quickly with data sources within physical reach at my desk check out.

You are more than welcome to compile and post a more accurate and authoritative list, if you are up to the challenge.

PMC · **Joined:** Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:55 pm **Posts:** 2876

The tubed Ringling Circus cars were snapped up astonishingly fast, I think there will be demand for these cars too by tourist lines due to their current brakes, wheels etc. and ability to move around on the national system. Preservation in museums? Meh.