If you’re like me, you love riding Amtrak and modeling the trains you have ridden. But scale passenger equipment can get expensive, especially if you add lights and figures. The first two Amtrak cars that I got were Superliner coach and diner cars; I thought I needed to save up for a whole train. This left me wondering, “how many Amtrak cars do you need to model a prototypical train?”
Throughout the next few months, I will take a look at small consist prototypes in Amtrak’s system throughout each decade and how you can model them. Today’s article will focus on two real-life modern Amtrak trains that operate with very few cars and give you ideas on how you can model passenger trains with a small fleet.
Less than you think
In the modern era, there are two Amtrak trains that have small consists, the Heartland Flyer and the Shuttle.
The Heartland Flyer takes passengers between Oklahoma City, Okla. and Fort Worth, Texas one way each day. Typical consists for this train are a P42DC locomotive leading two to three Superliner cars and another P42DC trailing. The cars are typically coaches with one usually being a snack coach with a small café on the lower level. But one weekend each year, when the Oklahoma Sooners take on the Texas Longhorns in the Red River Rivalry, Amtrak adds additional cars to the consist for fans traveling to the game. The Big Game Train usually adds two to three more Superliner coaches and a lounge car. In the photo above, I’ve taken some modeling freedom and used a Superliner coach and lounge together. Plus, since our train doesn’t have to reverse at the end of its run, I only need one P42DC leading.
Although the Amtrak’s 400-series of trains between Springfield, Mass. and New Haven, Conn. are currently unnamed, they are were previously called Shuttles because they shuttle passengers back and forth between the two cities. These trains are usually handled by a single P42DC, an Amfleet coach, and an ex-Metroliner cab car in a push-pull configuration. I used an N scale Kato P42DC and two Amfleet coaches for this operation.
Make your own
The beauty of model railroading is the ability to create your own world. This comes in many forms, with one of my favorites being the ability to make up my own trains. For my train I took some inspiration from Amtrak’s Hiawatha, the regional train between Chicago, Ill. and Milwaukee, Wis. I love the look of Amtrak’s Siemens SC-44 Charger locomotives and knew that I wanted one to lead this train. Though they aren’t the sleek Amfleet coaches, I decided on a pair of Rapido’s Horizon cars to follow up the Charger. David Popp once told me that a passenger train is never complete without a café car. I agree, especially since most of the time that’s where the Wi-Fi router is located on the train (and I like food). With the Charger pulling the Horizon café and coach, it’s time for the first passengers to climb aboard the Laker. “All aboard!”
There’s a train that runs between St Louis and Kansas City daily I don’t know the number pf cars but have seen it many times. Have seen it pull into Jefferson City and Kansas City
Sorry about the typo I meant to say Kato and excuse the many posts entered I was having some techinal difficulties with the web site on my phone and I hit post comments more than once. It is the same article with just a few extra sentences.
Joseph C. Markfelder
A number of years ago, MR did an article on pike size passenger trains that you can model for your layout. 2 or 3 passenger car trains. Speaking of Amtrak passenger train sets, Katie sells a three car intercity passenger set consisting of a Genesis locomotive and an Amfleet passenger coach, a cafe/snack car and a Viewliner car. A perfect addition for any layout Joseph C Markfelder
A number of years ago, MR did an article on pike size passenger trains that you can model for your layout. 2 or 3 passenger car trains. Speaking of Amtrak passenger train sets, Katie sells a three car intercity passenger set consisting of a Genesis locomotive and an Amfleet passenger coach, a cafe/snack car and a Viewliner car. Perfect for anybody who wants to add some Amtrak service to their layout. Joseph C Markfelder
A number of years ago, MR did an article on pike size passenger trains that you can model for your layout. 2 or 3 passenger car trains. Speaking of Amtrak passenger train sets, Katie sells a three car intercity passenger set consisting of a Genesis locomotive and an Amfleet passenger coach, a cafe/snack car and a Viewliner car. Perfect for anybody who wants to add some Amtrak service to their layout. On my layout 90 percent of my trains is passenger trains with 85 percent of those passenger trains is Amtrak passenger trains and locomotives. Joseph C Markfelder
With tongue firmly in cheek, on my RR the Amtrak “Midnight Shuffle” only runs in the dark or get routinely delayed/cancelled so no rolling stock needed….ooops four days early no quite April Fools, guess the yolk is on me. Good story Bryson!
Great story, Bryson. I can’t wait for more! Planning on doing trains of the 70s or 80s?
See rule number one! Whatever way you want to run your Amtrak train is completely up to the owner of the layout.
There is also the Pere Marquette, the Midwest train from Grand Rapids MI to Chicago. It has a Siemens SC-44 Charger with two Amfleet coaches and an Amfleet Cafe.