Providence & Worcester Excursion Fleet

Saw pictures of this in the thread about new P&W power, and it got me curious. What's the heritage of this equipment, particularly the round-end observation car? How often does it operate?

At least from the pictures it's arguably a classier-looking consist than many road's business trains (Pan Am's springs to mind).

It's definitely a nice looking train, and I agree that it puts some of the other railroads to shame!

A search of rrpicturearchives.net revealed the following information about the observation car; hopefully the info is accurate:

Built by Pullman in 1948 for the Northern Pacific Railroad as "Montana Club";

Renumbered to 394 in 1954;

This picture shows it in 1979, still in NP colors, but with PW reporting marks and the number 90:

http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=878120

More pictures, including interior shots (!) can be found at:

http://rrpicturearchives.net/rsPicture.aspx?id=141113

Here are pictures and info about 668, the former E9B which was rebuilt as a HEP car:

http://rrpicturearchives.net/rsPicture.aspx?id=141118

More passenger cars:

4587: http://rrpicturearchives.net/rsPicture.aspx?id=141120

4592: http://rrpicturearchives.net/rsPicture.aspx?id=112906

7625: http://rrpicturearchives.net/rsPicture.aspx?id=176066

7626: http://rrpicturearchives.net/rsPicture.aspx?id=175800

7627: http://rrpicturearchives.net/rsPicture.aspx?id=175788

8340: http://rrpicturearchives.net/rsPicture.aspx?id=141119

Here's a look inside the New Englander observation car, taken back in 2003.

http://www.nanosphoto.com/gallery/displ ... ?pos=-5193

And a look at all of the P&W painted equipment (not the ex-Amtrak stuff) being pulled by NECR power, entering New London yard on a VIP excursion up to, I believe, St. Albans, VT.

http://www.nanosphoto.com/gallery/displ ... ?pos=-1357

-Tom

If you're on the upcoming MBRRE ride, think positive thoughts. Maybe, just maybe, the P&W has done something positive with the glazing on its fleet. On last year's ride, the glazing was heavily scratched, and as soon as direct sun hit it, from whatever angle, the view was like the "before" illustration for cataract surgery. Supposedly, this year's routing is Providence-Shoreline-N&W. Whatever the routing, if the glazing still appears scratched, and if there's even partial sun forecast, try sitting on the engineer's side of the car. That way, for most of the earlier North-South and later South-North transit, the sun will be away from your side. Hopefully, there'll still be enough riders on the conductor's side to prevent a tip hazard (just joking about the tip hazard).

I was at a football game at the Coast Guard Academy at around 2:00 on Saturday 15 Oct. The excursion train (two engines and several passenger cars ending with the observation car) was heading north from Groton and onto the Navy base and beyond.

Question:
- Coach 4592 & 7627 both named Rhode Island ?
- Coach 7625 is un-named ?

Lincoln78 wrote:I was at a football game at the Coast Guard Academy at around 2:00 on Saturday 15 Oct. The excursion train (two engines and several passenger cars ending with the observation car) was heading north from Groton and onto the Navy base and beyond.

That was the Fall Circle Route train. Worcester to Providence; down the NEC to New London; up to Norwich; back to Worcester. Run in very sunny conditions.....

Just a note, but only about a month ago were the coaches repaired, receiving new windows to replace ones broken during the hurricane of all things. Most of the damage was on the snack car, although one of the stainless coaches did have one broken window. Generally, the excursion consist is well maintained. I didn't see any noticeable rust on the coaches (the 25 tonner is a different story) when I had a tour of the shop area last July.

They have run a number of excursions over the past month (Fall Foliage, Shoppers Special) and are into the Polar Express season. Probably safe to say the damage has been repaired, Dylan.