Bring Back Scale Models of Budd Metroliner EMUs!
Bring Back Scale Models of Budd Metroliner EMUs!
The Issue
The Budd Metroliner was a class of American electric multiple unit (EMU) railcar designed for first-class, high-speed service between New York City and Washington, D.C. on the Northeast Corridor. They were designed for operation up to 150 miles per hour (240 km/h): what would have been the first high speed rail service in the Western Hemisphere. Although 164 mph (264 km/h) was reached during test runs, track conditions and electrical issues limited top speeds to 120 mph (190 km/h) in revenue service. The single-ended units were designed to be arranged in two-car married pairs, which were in turn coupled into four to eight-car trains.
These railcars were constructed between 1967 and 1970 by the Budd Company of Philadelphia. This part of a collaboration with the federal government to improve railroad service between New York, Washington, and in between. After difficulties testing these railcars, Penn Central, the successor to the Pennsylvania Railroad began the eponymous Metroliner service on January 16, 1969, the latter of which was taken over by Amtrak in 1971.
Despite high aspirations, the Metroliner cars proved to have poor reliability, with less than two-thirds of the fleet in service at many times. Four cars were successfully overhauled for improved operation in 1974, but the rebuilding cost more than the original purchase price of the cars. Thirty-three more cars were overhauled in 1979–1980. However, by this time, new AEM-7 locomotives pulling Amfleet cars could match Metroliner schedules with higher reliability. Metroliners were withdrawn from the eponymous service entirely in 1981; they served until 1988 on Keystone Service trains.
Amtrak converted 23 Budd Metroliners for use as cab cars on corridor trains by removing the pantographs and traction motors, they are used primarily on the Keystone Service. Most of the other units were scrapped, though one is on display at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylania.
Bachmann and Watlhers at one point both produced scale models of these railcars, though they have long since been discontinued. I think they should be brought back. They should be available in Pennsylvania Railroad, Penn Central, and Amtrak paint schemes.
62
The Issue
The Budd Metroliner was a class of American electric multiple unit (EMU) railcar designed for first-class, high-speed service between New York City and Washington, D.C. on the Northeast Corridor. They were designed for operation up to 150 miles per hour (240 km/h): what would have been the first high speed rail service in the Western Hemisphere. Although 164 mph (264 km/h) was reached during test runs, track conditions and electrical issues limited top speeds to 120 mph (190 km/h) in revenue service. The single-ended units were designed to be arranged in two-car married pairs, which were in turn coupled into four to eight-car trains.
These railcars were constructed between 1967 and 1970 by the Budd Company of Philadelphia. This part of a collaboration with the federal government to improve railroad service between New York, Washington, and in between. After difficulties testing these railcars, Penn Central, the successor to the Pennsylvania Railroad began the eponymous Metroliner service on January 16, 1969, the latter of which was taken over by Amtrak in 1971.
Despite high aspirations, the Metroliner cars proved to have poor reliability, with less than two-thirds of the fleet in service at many times. Four cars were successfully overhauled for improved operation in 1974, but the rebuilding cost more than the original purchase price of the cars. Thirty-three more cars were overhauled in 1979–1980. However, by this time, new AEM-7 locomotives pulling Amfleet cars could match Metroliner schedules with higher reliability. Metroliners were withdrawn from the eponymous service entirely in 1981; they served until 1988 on Keystone Service trains.
Amtrak converted 23 Budd Metroliners for use as cab cars on corridor trains by removing the pantographs and traction motors, they are used primarily on the Keystone Service. Most of the other units were scrapped, though one is on display at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylania.
Bachmann and Watlhers at one point both produced scale models of these railcars, though they have long since been discontinued. I think they should be brought back. They should be available in Pennsylvania Railroad, Penn Central, and Amtrak paint schemes.
62
The Decision Makers
Petition created on March 21, 2023