Ridgefielder wrote:Back *on* topic-- can private cars travel in any scheduled Metro-North train, or are there restrictions? (apart from the obvious fact that you couldn't cut a Pullman into an MU consist... )
Metro North operating policy, as previously stated to AAPRCO, is to handle movement of privately owned passenger cars as a special train, rather than to operate them in the consist of regularly scheduled passenger trains.
Contrary to Dutch Railnut's claim, many private cars certified for operation on Amtrak and Via Rail Canada have 27 pin MU trainlines installed, but this capability it is not required by Amtrak, Via Rail Canada or other railroads. However, the lack of a MU trainline will prohibit the car from operating in certain push-pull consists on the Amtrak system.
Due to their tariff charges and policies, operating a private car on Metro North is much more expensive than operating a car on Amtrak or Via Rail Canada.
Train2009 caught private car NORTHERN DREAMS on video, traveling northbound thru Tarrytown on Saturday afternoon November 27th, on the rear of Amtrak #49. That would indicate the car moved from GCT back to Sunnyside Yard via SHELL on a joint Metro North / Amtrak special move.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=251NyJFG ... er&list=UL