765 & 20th Century Limited

[nkp_174]

Gents, yesterday was the first ever trip behind steam for the Hickory Creek. Hickory Creek, and her sister Sandy Creek, were the two tail cars from the 20th Century Limited from 1948-1967. The owner/operator/man who spent 5yrs returning her to 1948 as-delivered condition confirms this (the train was dieselized in '48 and backup power was not steam for the Century).

I had the privilege of being on it, but have relatively few photos. I only really saw the engine twice: during the layover in Lafyette and after pulling in at the end of the trip. Air conditioned cars have one major downside: you can't hear or smell the engine...nor can you see it much when you are on the 17th car of the train. I'd have loved to stick around and chase it, but it was enough of an accomplishment to get my wife and kids to join me that I didn't dare ask to stay...

The trips where from Ft. Wayne to Lafyette and back...120 miles each way on the Wabash Mainline.

At the start of the day, the family:

Jim Wrinn was on board the Hickory Creek with us, so I hope he'll have something about it in the next issue of Trains. (he's updated his facebook photo to him on one of the superdomes).

765 in Lafyette:

[Green_Elite_Cab]

OOO the hickory creek is a nice car, would have been fun to ride in it! I got to take a tour of it in it's "Natural" environment in Grand Central Terminal, NY. those big windows and comfy couches were nice! They don't make trains like that anymore....


What would an observation Amfleet look like?

[nkp_174]

With an Amfleet observation car...it would have to have a round end!!! tooth2

I'd love to see her in her native environment. We didn't have the red carpet out on account of the gravel. My son wants a model of her now...so I'm thinking about building a relatively crude one in HO scale.

[Green_Elite_Cab]

With an Amfleet observation car...it would have to have a round end!!! tooth2

I'd love to see her in her native environment. We didn't have the red carpet out on account of the gravel. My son wants a model of her now...so I'm thinking about building a relatively crude one in HO scale.

I'd be surprised if Walthers doesn't have this car out (I'm almost positive that it does). In any event, I actually have an article somewhere on making the car, with the scale drawings. I'll dig it out and scan it if you like.

Here is the Hickory Creek in Grand Central Terminal, alongside a Metro North P32AC-DM Dual mode Electric/Diesel.

[railohio]

What would an observation Amfleet look like?

Like this:


Amtrak10001ChicagoIL3-6-10 by railohio, on Flickr


Amtrak10001LaPorteIN6-25-11 by railohio, on Flickr

[Green_Elite_Cab]

What would an observation Amfleet look like?

Like this:


Amtrak10001ChicagoIL3-6-10 by railohio, on Flickr


Amtrak10001LaPorteIN6-25-11 by railohio, on Flickr

LOL, I'm not sure that counts. Thats more of an inspection car than a true observation. Still, I wouldn't be surprised. It would be neat if they actually made a round-ended one, though that will never happen.

[Steamtrains]

I like the rounded end. That looks like a train...!!

The new version looks like somebody's been looking on the wrong end of a kaleidoscope too long...

[jglfan]

I had wondered where the car had gone off to. It resides near my home in Boonton NJ when not in use.

[Southern Tuxedo]

I had wondered where the car had gone off to. It resides near my home in Boonton NJ when not in use.

jglfan,

Is that some sort of rail museum along I-287 in Boonton? I saw it while scouting some fishing spots along the Rockaway river using google earth.

Mark

[jglfan]

Hi Mark, Not a museum but I gather a place where equipment is being held pending going to a museum. Primarily a rebuilding business, they repainted a GG1 a couple years ago and have a couple E8's in progress. They also refurbish freight cars and lease them out. There is a nice Jersey Central geep there too. It is located on an old Lackawanna yard which has been cleaned up.

[Southern Tuxedo]

jglfan,

Thank you. Are there any photo opportunities there or is it limited being that it is a private business?

Mark

[Green_Elite_Cab]

jglfan,

Thank you. Are there any photo opportunities there or is it limited being that it is a private business?

Mark

Every September they have an Open House and some awesome presentations. I think the warehouse thing is actually owned by "Star Trak", a rebuilding place. That said, they seem to be handling a lot of URHS projects.

Here are two photo albums, from last year, and from a few months ago-

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://s543.photobucket.com/user/CAB_IV/library/URHS%20Transportation%20Festival?sort=3&page=1">http://s543.photobucket.com/user/CAB_IV ... t=3&page=1</a><!-- m -->

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://s543.photobucket.com/user/CAB_IV/library/URHS%20Transportation%20Festival%20September%2022%202013?sort=3&page=1">http://s543.photobucket.com/user/CAB_IV ... t=3&page=1</a><!-- m -->

[Southern Tuxedo]

GEC,

Thanks for the info and the links. I will have to try to go to the Open House next year.

Mark

[jglfan]

Hey Mark and Chris, if you guys do make to the open house next year, let me know, we can meet and I live less than a mile away, I'll grill some burgers.

[Southern Tuxedo]

jglfan,
Sounds great! Thanks for the offer.


Mark