Kato N scale CNW 400 with all new Pullman Bi-levels just announced

[peteski]

An accidental benefit of the design, I think. The problem with two levels is you can't have walking-height ceilings from end to end, to do so would make the car too tall. You'll notice that two-level cars are either gallery configuration (low ceiling over the lower seats), or the lower floor is between the bolsters in a fishbelly. Very much similar to double-stack containers in well cars.

One exception that comes to mind are the Alaska RR Ultradomes. You might notice they somehow seem slightly taller than most two-level cars, which of course is because they are. They would not pass high clearance templates on a lot of RRs.

There are bi-level cars in Europe with lower level is below the bolsters. So, at the door area there are steps up to the upper level, and steps down to the lower level.

These are the older ones I rode on in the '70s. (in N scale):

But the headroom in those is not friendly to tall individuals.

And more modern ones:



 

[nickelplate759]

Here's a stock Con-Cor car (on the left) next to a lowered one.  I lowered it by recessing the truck mounting area about 1mm. 
The roof on the lowered (right) car is a little warped and make the end look higher than it is.

I did the modification so it wouldn't look so bad next to the very fine WoT commuter cars.  It didn't help enough , because there car is off in many subtle ways, not just in height.

[jagged ben]

An accidental benefit of the design, I think. The problem with two levels is you can't have walking-height ceilings from end to end, to do so would make the car too tall. You'll notice that two-level cars are either gallery configuration (low ceiling over the lower seats), or the lower floor is between the bolsters in a fishbelly. Very much similar to double-stack containers in well cars.

...

There are bi-level cars in Europe with lower level is below the bolsters. So, at the door area there are steps up to the upper level, and steps down to the lower level.
...

Peteski, see emphasis added to Mike's post above.

The Bombardier bi-level cars (Athearn model) are similar to the European models you cited, but neither are two-levels throughout the car.  They have the staircases at the ends, and thus less seating in those areas. 

[peteski]

The Bombardier bi-level cars (Athearn model) are similar to the European models you cited, but neither are two-levels throughout the car.  They have the staircases at the ends, and thus less seating in those areas.

Ok, got it.  Plus, with center door, there is less un-utilized space than with doors on both ends.

[sundowner]

The Bombardier cars are more like split bi-levels, as you go in the door there is a set of stairs that takes you to level above the trucks were there are like three or four rows of seats and the door to go between cars and the stairs to the upper level.

[nscalbitz]

Yeah when I saw "400" passenger train.. I thought.. Cool CNW 'named' train!!.. Then I open the flyer and see a commuter train.. ??

Still cool. But not what I think when I hear 'Route of the 400s'

Who knows, others may follow,even if foobed___

https://get.google.com/albumarchive/111371098753160118549/album/AF1QipOpXyNE7W-3jaeFcdke3hgJ_dNJLgjI8EvIVRJu/AF1QipOtPKAWnIqEte9WFAKXgBs3YqsFkHUfuWPDb56K#5657821779091240754

Nice looking rack IMHO...
could have bent that way, once upon a time...
d

[thomasjmdavis]

Last time I was in Des Plaines hobbies, they still had some of the CNW kits for various 400 cars (I think I have a diner kit here somewhere, picked up in a lot of car sides and cores).  And doesn't Centralia offer a 400 coach? 
https://www.intermountain-railway.com/distrib/ccs/html/ccs6610.htm

Granted, outside my area of expertise, but I am under the impression the prototype for this model was the CNW car.

[Nato]

   The "Keystone Tubular Train" built by Budd for the Pennsylvania (sorry no link to photos) had the main passenger seating between the bolsters with jut a bit at standard height at both car ends. The floors if I recall correctly had a ramp down from the entry level to the main level. Nate Goodman (Nato). 

[jagged ben]

Who knows, others may follow,even if foobed___

https://get.google.com/albumarchive/111371098753160118549/album/AF1QipOpXyNE7W-3jaeFcdke3hgJ_dNJLgjI8EvIVRJu/AF1QipOtPKAWnIqEte9WFAKXgBs3YqsFkHUfuWPDb56K#5657821779091240754

Nice looking rack IMHO...
could have bent that way, once upon a time...
d

I bookmarked this picture album to go back to and look at, and sadly it seems to have been taken offline or made private. 

[nscalbitz]

I bookmarked this picture album to go back to and look at, and sadly it seems to have been taken offline or made private.

yeah sorry but i also dont know now what the pic was.
Seems I didnt take a copy of my own.
d