Modeling Amtrak's Coast Starlight

[sp org div]

I am attempting to model late Phase I pointless arrow versions of this train. 
This started a long time ago, and glad to state the Lima shells are already long overdue to getting tossed in the trash.
Lots for me still to learn on this passenger train modeling; but would get a kick out of hearing from anyone else interested in similar... on anything relevant. 

My first query is:
What's the history of the red vestibule door on the heritage sleeping and baggage cars?
I note the Kato model Palm Arch deserves it, so will be incorporated in one of my consists.

For now some of the cars are going to have to be stand-ins, but will work on that over time...
I thought I had the bare bones all gathered up, but a seller on that big auction site later told me he didnt have the last two cars needed to fill my consists (that I had used the Buy it Now feature on)... so if anyone knows of (2) Con-Cor Budd coaches in "Ph III" sitting around wanting a new home, please let me know.

Off to the workbench to use the Straw method of cutting skirts on some cars now...

Jeff
http://espeeoregondivision.blogspot.com/

[eja]

Oh what fun. Just make sure you run it at least 6-12 hours late 

[jmlaboda]

Are you working from a prototype consist?  If so this might help you.  Its the Coast Starlight from LAUPT on 12/17/1977, courtesy of the Pass Consist list @ Yahoo! Groups:

AMTK 1252   ex-AMTK 1166, nee-ATSF 3679   ACF LW baggage
AMTK 1503 San Pascal   ex-ATSF 1385  Budd baggage - dorm
AMTK 4579   ex-UP 5539   StLCCo. 44-seat leg-rest coach
AMTK 4853   ex-ATSF 2808   PS 44-seat leg-rest coach
AMTK 8105   ex-ATSF 1560   Budd lunch counter - diner
AMTK 4494   ex-ATSF 2884   PS 44-seat leg-rest coach
AMTK 4488   ex-ATSF 2876   PS 44-seat leg-rest coach
AMTK 4527   ex-ATSF 2923   PS 44-seat leg-rest coach
AMTK 4505   ex-ATSF 2899   PS 44-seat leg-rest coach
AMTK 4869   ex-ATSF 2857   Budd 48-seat leg-rest coach
AMTK 4508   ex-ATSF 2902   PS 44-seat leg-rest coach
AMTK 9354   ex-ATSF 504   PS dome - lounge
AMTK 9035   ex-ATSF 1486   Budd dining car
AMTK 2655 Silver Valley  ex-CB&Q 428   Budd 10 Roomette - 6 Double Bedroom
AMTK 2653 Silver Cliff   ex-CB&Q 426   Budd 10 Roomette - 6 Double Bedroom
AMTK 2214 Indian Lake   ex-ATSF 906   PS 11 Double Bedroom

Its worth noting that Amtrak had already standardized on using leg-rest coaches on this run, just as it had done on many other long distance opertions.  Unfortunately not all of the leg-rest coaches are represented in N and many are mostly just sides that must be assembled, not ready-to-run models.

Anyone interested in seeing what cars can be modeled should visit the Amtrak pages at the N-scale Varnish Passenger Car User's Guide...
http://n-scalevarnish.info/index/varnish/UsersGuide

[sp org div]

Prototype Modeling the "Star-late"....   causing delays for #11 and 14 will make it just that much more entertaining.   

I really appreciate that consist info Jerry!
I have been working off mostly photos, an Amtk 78-79 annual, and just recently found your pages.  Finding photos of whole trains or even parts of has been most difficult, as everyone typically just bags the head-end.
I know the consist varied to some degree anyhow, but that near xmas consist appears to be similar to the summer trains with the xtra cars in it, vs the 12 car standard.

Jeff

[nkalanaga]

Jeff:  At least I'm not he only one who remembers that name.  Never rode the train, though, only the Empire Builder, Broadway Limited, and the Cardinal.  EB and BL in 1973, EB and Cardinal in 1991.

[sp org div]

This is one of two sleepers I have been able to identify equipped with the red vestibule door:
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=222120&nseq=326

Curious to know what started and ended the program, as it appears to have been short lived.... 
Begging to be modeled complete with gate and working marker light.

Jeff

[altohorn25]

This is one of two sleepers I have been able to identify equipped with the red vestibule door:
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=222120&nseq=326

Curious to know what started and ended the program, as it appears to have been short lived.... 
Begging to be modeled complete with gate and working marker light.

Jeff

You can get the gate from Rapido, the marker light you could probably do from Richmond Controls.  Can't tell from the side what type of sleeper it is.

Nate

[squirrelhunter]

I can't add much on the red vestibule doors, but I looked at my copy of Fred Frailey's  "Zephyrs, Chiefs and other Orphans" last night (which is an invaluable resource for early Amtrak) and the list of equipment assigned to the Coast Starlight in February 1976 he has is posted below. I would use this link (http://issuu.com/donstrack/docs/amtrak_car_spotter_1973), to one of Robert Wayner's Amtrak Car Spotters to cross reference the heritage of the cars.

All cars assigned Seattle to Los Angeles, with assigned power being 2 SDP40F's, and 4 consists of cars were used-
Consist 1:
Baggage Car: 1020
Baggage Dormitory Car: 1500
Leg Rest Coaches (4 per consist, with a 5th car running every 3rd day): 4491, 4869, 4519, 4857
Bar Lounge:3335
Diner:8039
10-6 Sleeper:2726
10-6 Sleeper:2729

Consist 2:
Baggage Car: 1172
Baggage Dormitory Car: 1502
Leg Rest Coaches (4 per consist, with a 5th car running every 3rd day): 4542, 4500, 4511, 4872
Bar Lounge:3332
Diner:8031
10-6 Sleeper:2716
10-6 Sleeper:2715

Consist 2:
Baggage Car: 1033
Baggage Dormitory Car: 1503
Leg Rest Coaches (4 per consist, with a 5th car running every 3rd day): 4530, 4851, 4531, 4866
Bar Lounge:3331
Diner:8500
10-6 Sleeper:2710
10-6 Sleeper:2722

Consist 4:
Baggage Car: 1157
Baggage Dormitory Car: 1510
Leg Rest Coaches (4 per consist, with a 5th car running every 3rd day): 4518, 4482, 4860, 4820
Bar Lounge:3334
Diner:8034
10-6 Sleeper:2732
10-6 Sleeper:2731

[squirrelhunter]

On a side note Jerry, is the passenger consist Yahoo Group still active? I've tried to join twice and never heard anything back.

[sp org div]

You can get the gate from Rapido, the marker light you could probably do from Richmond Controls.  Can't tell from the side what type of sleeper it is.

Nate

thnks for the gate info.
The Indian series were the 11 dbl bedr m Pull Std from 47' built for atsf...  thats the "Indian Pony".

[jagged ben]

Off to the workbench to use the Straw method of cutting skirts on some cars now...

Do tell.  I'd like to remove some skirts from some models.  (heheh).     

Ok, seriously, what's the method?

[sp org div]

Thanks for the consist info Squirrelhunter
Really appreciate the consist info from you guys, as these were missing puzzle pieces.  Matching images to your consists is giving me a better correlation to the changes seen over the years.  I model mid '78 for the most part (but nit pickers can find minor deviations if they try hard enough).  I see a move from the leg-rest coaches to the addition of coach domes after '77, but welcome more consist info, as I see other changes also in photo documentations.  Late '79 appears to have had as many as 3 coach domes and the dome lounge...  and maybe a couple more Budd coaches of some type?

Jeff

[jagged ben]

Are you working from a prototype consist?  If so this might help you.  Its the Coast Starlight from LAUPT on 12/17/1977, courtesy of the Pass Consist list @ Yahoo! Groups:

Thank you for this.  I'm impressed with the overlap with the only passenger train I'm modeling so far, the San Francisco Chief.  Also, an Indian series car makes for a good reason to buy the new Kato release.

Con-Cor makes a pretty good model of those 44 seat coaches, BTW. 

[sp org div]

On a side note Jerry, is the passenger consist Yahoo Group still active? I've tried to join twice and never heard anything back.

Im struggling with the Yahoo groups just trying to do research... no comment on their big layoff.
Mass quantities of valuable data on the brink.   

[sp org div]

Do tell.  I'd like to remove some skirts from some models.  (heheh).     

Ok, seriously, what's the method?

Nail pullers (less the slot).  Bench grind the ends to give a nice sharp edge.  Notch the skirt and work from the notch across the skirt.  Minor finish work from what it sounds like.  I ended up grinding more on my pullers today before attacking the first car.  I'll let you know how it goes. 

Which 44 seat Con-Cor coach are you referring to?   These guys consist info appears to focus more on the PS version  ...Im thinking using Con Cors earlier 52 seat (RI) coach as a stand in for the 44 seat now...  Later trains may well have had some more Budd cars beyond just the chair cars...

Jeff