060641 (above); 060650 (below): A new type of car; a new paint scheme. This North Carolina-owned combine car (a car with both a passenger and baggage area) will be used on state-sponsored passenger trains, such as the Raleigh-Charlotte-Raleigh "Piedmont." The car also features a new paint scheme that will be applied to all new and refurbished state-owned railroad passenger cars. The car is shown at at the NCDOT railyard in Raleigh.

Car 400101, named the "Yadkin River" after the largest river the "Piedmont" crosses, covered a long strange path to get to the NCDOT Rail Division. It began life as U.S. Army hospital car 89546, built by St. Louis Car Co. in 1953. The car went from government surplus to private ownership and operated as the private car "Kanawah." It was donated to the C&O historical society, which sold it to the state of North Carolina in 1997.

The state gutted the car, with only the shell (which was also substantially refurbished) remaining. The "Yadkin River" now has a completely new interior with 34 coach seats, a crew office, an ADA compliant restroom, and a baggage area with six bicycle racks. The trucks (wheel assemblies) were also replaced).

The exterior paint scheme was designed by Rail Division Graphic Artist Ellen Holding.

As in-state passenger trains don't have enough checked baggage to justify a full baggage car, this car will be useful in a number of ways. By shortening the over-all train consist, it can provide fuel savings and better acceleration on short trains. And, at times of heavy demand, it provides more passenger capacity within the seven-car limit of the layover track in Charlotte. The car can also allow a medium sized travel group to have its own space on board the train.

Or, use your browser's "Back" button to return to the page from which you accessed this image.

[Business] [Transportation data] [Stock photo newsletters]
[Ernest H. Robl Home Page] [Feedback / e-mail]

All content of this site is protected by copyright. None of the content of this site may be used for any purpose without specific written permission and the payment of applicable fees.