Empire Builder at Wis. Dells. F40 #241 still in Primer before re-painting

[1985MANAmericana]

Why is there a coach between the Hi-Level dorm and the first Superliner sleeper? Deadhead to SEA?

Also, the SII sleeper (the PDX sleeper) really sticks out.

[Amtrakroadmaster]

@1985MANAmericana Could be Dead Head, this train is going to CHI not SEA. Notice that the two Sea Sleepers are ahead of the SEA coaches. The Dining car is just in front of the Lounge. This was the consist make up in 1995. Unlike today's EB which has the SEA Slps in front of the Diner the SEA coaches between Diner and Lounge Car. The PDX sleeper is brand new, in 1995, a Superliner 2 version. Soon all the EX ATSF Hi-level Dorm step down cars will be gone, replaced by Super 2's Trans. crew cars .

[kh2nerd806]

Just 2 days after my birthday!

[Amtrakroadmaster]

The only one I know of in that year.

[murjax]

Was this the only unfinished F40 they let out?

[Amtrakroadmaster]

@murjax Only one I ever saw on the rails. Power was short, the F40's were old and breaking down, so they sent it out before paint. Today we have the P42's which as we all know continue to break down, Often, they will never last as long as the F40's. Long live EMD F40's today on commuter & short line rails. All Amtrak had to do was rebuild them and they would still be in service on Amtrak today. Was it a mistake to go with the GE P42's?.

[Hightrain12]

@Amtrakroadmaster Yes.

[Amtrakroadmaster]

It would appear Amtrak needed an engine, so they sent this one out without the completing of the re-furbishment, no time to finish the paint job, the first step in repainting is to prime the surface, then paint the color, in this case the silver. Then they would have added the decals. Engine was needed so they sent it out half done.

[trainmaster55]

So Bob, what was the primer paint for?