LEASE UNIT; PT2

Last week, we saw lease unit HLCX 6217 set up with a string of cars for a steam excursion. Now the cars themselves...

First up is power car 11. With most passenger cars today having head-end-power, this car is needed for most excursions and business train movements, since most non-Amtrak/commuter locomotives are not equipped with HEP -including steam engines.

Next is a former Budd-built 16-section sleeper that was converted to a coach in the early '60's. This car served on the Alton Limited, between Chicago and St. Louis; a train that AP&W predecessor the Appalachian Railroad inherited in 1947 when it purchased the Chicago and Alton from the Baltimore and Ohio.

Next up is a former B&O Budd-built Strata-Dome coach, the Moonlight Dome. This car was built for the Capital Limited, B&O's Chicago-D.C. flagship train. This car was also part of the train pulled this past spring by the 611 during its Virginia excursions. This car was one of Budd's earlier designs; note the forward slant of the dome.

The next car is a former Santa Fe Budd-built "Big Dome" bar-lounge dormitory. This car served on the "Chief" trains out west, and, for a time, on the original Auto Train of the 70's. Note the shape of the dome is the "standard" Budd profile.

The third dome is this ex-Milwaukee Road Pullman-built "Super Dome", showing yet another dome shape. Originally built for the "Hiawatha", this car was also part of the 611's train this past spring.

The Railcar Charter Service lounge car is next.

The Railcar Charter Service observation is last. These two cars frequently bring up the rear on excursion trains in Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, sometimes traveling as far south as Miami!