MBTA Commuter Takes Curve Somewhere North of Boston in 1988

[Sylvain603]

Nice. Amazing.

[dragonpullman]

I wonder how long those lasted.

[AutisticPsycho]

Heh, too bad the traction motors are gone, coulda shoved those on the Fairmount line and viola instant "Indigo Line."

[Oshkosh619]

@AutisticPsycho: RDC's did not have traction motors. They were not "diesel-electrics". They had two Detroit Diesel 6-110 engines (at either end of the car) coupled to a hydralic Allison torque converter. The torque converters had driveshafts that ran to the geared inside axle of each truck. Thus, they were "diesel-hydralic".

[EMK623]

Great Video. Since when are RDC's pulled or pushed in this case by Diesel locomotives. I thought they were deisgned to run by themselves?

[PKingman]

They were built to run by themselves.  The video was made years ago when the MBTA was just getting up with their commuter rail system. These were old RDCs that had had their propulsion motors removed. The MBTA used whatever equipment they could get their hands on.

[jph0917]

They started around the time of the blizzard of 1978. I remember that these old "Bud Liner" cars had a very hard time getting throught snow, so they added the locomotives in the winter of 77-78. They never ran on their own again after that, even in the summer.

[sigfridmetrotren]

WOW RDC's+F40 Push&Pull. Awesome.

[burbank]

Nice pics! I like the Budd Cars!

[MuttsMooch]

Nice! I think thoes are RDC cars, the MBTA once owned?

[PKingman]

Yes. I believe that was one name for the old self propelled Buddliners. Each one of those cars once could run by itself. It seems to me that the MBTA had old RDCs from the Boston & Maine and from the old Reading Railroad.

[MuttsMooch]

Yes. If you look at my video of the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad, you will see the "gift" the MBTA gave to the Hobo/Winni railroad. They overhauled the old RDCs and painted them in their scheme.

[CBass1307]

There is also a non-functioning former B&M/MBTA RDC about a half mile from me right now. The Belfast&Moosehead Lakes has it here in Unity, ME.

P.S. I was told they are looking for a buyer for it...in case you are interested.

[jph0917]

This video was shot in Billerica, right! The train went under the Pond Street Bridge and the frieght train on the siding is the main line enterence to the Billerica shops. The train is coming out of East Billerica and entering North Billerica. I recognize all the landmarks. I'm I right?

[PKingman]

You could very well be right. I didn't keep good records of the videos I made, but I know that I explored the Billerica Shops back there sometime, possibly on the same day as this video. I was up to Billerica just yesterday early early morning trying to catch the Loram RailGrinder. I did. What a sight.

[jph0917]

You were definetly in Billerica. No doubt.

[PKingman]

Thanks.

[ihatejjmccay]

i beleve that is right.----good gob!

[Comwhiz2002]

They are Budd RDC's

[alx2925]

odd looking cars