Special cars in Nola

[offroad437]

I just noticed a few special Amtrak cars in the station. I was on the interstate and could not get a picture. Any one know what it's about? Also got 2 special painted engines in the yard getting washed.

 

[afigg]

That might be the Boardman and Amtrak management excursion train with local government and railroad execs riding parts of the trip. They have been on a loop trip from Chicago on the SWC, then side trips to Pueblo, then from Allbuquerque to El Paso, then east on the Sunset Limited. Has been getting a lot of almost obsessive coverage on trainorders, although I only skimmed the postings. Think they are supposed to head back to CHI on the CONO.

 

[JoeBas]

Yup, they came in on 2 last night.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Bet they won't be eating the Heat and eat chow in the CCC on the CONO!

 

[JoeBas]

Dunno, special consist was American View (Inspection), Ocean View (Dome Lounge), Sylvan View (Sleeper), Pacific Cape (Sleeper), Beech Grove (Executive).

 

[afigg]

Amtrak issued a news release on the SWC portion of the excursion trip over the Raton pass: AMTRAK CEO INSPECTS SOUTHWEST CHIEF ROUTE IMPROVEMENTS IN THREE STATES. Starting excerpt:

Albuquerque — Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman today completed a three-state trip on the Southwest Chief route in Kansas, Colorado and New Mexico, thanking local, state and federal leaders for their partnership with Amtrak and BNSF Railway to preserve and improve the route for Amtrak and BNSF customers.

Also aboard segments of the inspection train tour were BNSF Railway Executive Chairman Matt Rose, Interim Kansas Transportation Secretary Richard Carlson, and other state, local and federal officials.

Amtrak and BNSF began a public conversation in 2012 regarding deteriorating rail conditions that would have slowed BNSF freight traffic and led Amtrak to permanently detour or discontinue the Southwest Chief service. Since then, successful grant applications led by Garden City, Kan., and La Junta, Colo., have resulted in $27.6 million in federal TIGER funding in the past two years.

When matching state and community support and contributions from Amtrak ($8 million), BNSF ($4 million) and other communities are combined with the TIGER grants, a total of $46.2 million will result in 127 miles of replacement of rails and ties nearing the end of their service between Hutchinson, Kan., and Waldo, New Mexico.

Additionally, BNSF has agreed to maintain the track at a maximum speed of 79 mph for Amtrak and 60 mph for freight trains where the jointed rail has been replaced. The replacement rail has come from a plant in Pueblo, Colo., and has been installed by BNSF crews.

So the Chairman of BNSF was on the trip for at least part of it.

 

[Ind Ben]

An article about Bordmans special on Trains Mag. News wire today.