I bought my Pacific Business Class upgrades for my trip down to San Diego to see the Amtrak 40th Anniversary Train then worked at McFadden Intermediate School doing my old job as an instructional assistant until the day of the trip. After my morning chores, I drove to the Santa Ana station, parked in the parking structure and walked trackside.
Pacific Surfliner 763 arrived and departed.
Pacific Surfliner 564 then arrived with private cars "Overland Trail" and "Silver Splendor" cut in behind the engine as they were participating in LA Rail's annual Troop Train to celebrate December 7, 1941, the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the United States' entrance into World War II. I boarded Business Class and we were on our way to San Diego. I went online using the new WiFi Amtrak Connect and surfed the Internet aboard the train most of the trip down to San Diego. The only delays were eight minutes at CP Avery for Pacific Surfliner 565 and the Metrolink train at CP San Onofre. Once I arrived, I met AC Adam and we would enjoy the Amtrak 40th Anniversary Train.
The Amtrak 40th Anniversary Train in San Diego
The train was on Track 3.
NPCU 406 built by Electro-Motive Division in 1988 as 3,000 horsepower F40PH 406 then rebuilt as Non-Powered Control Unit 406 in 2011 at the Beech Grove, Indiana, maintenance facility. As a locomotive, the 406 operated all over the country on various routes before being stored in 2001. It was slated to become an NPCU to augment the push-pull fleet and chosen to be part of the Exhibit Train because it can control a locomotive without the expense of additional fuel, allowing a train to operate in either direction without turning around. It will also provide Head End Power to power the lights and HVAC systems onboard the train.
Amtrak P40 822, built by General Electric in 1993, is a 4,000 horsepower locomotive provididing the pulling power for the Exhibit Train. It was originally based in New Orleans and operated on various long distance routes. The 822 was later reassigned to Albany, New York and operated in the northeast until stored as surplus in 2003. It was selected as one of the 15 P40 locomotives to be upgraded and returned to service as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Amtrak 10 roomette-6 double bedroom sleeper 10020, ex. Amtrak 10020 "Pacific Command" 2007, exx. Amtrak 2504, exxx. Amtrak 2903 1977, exxxx. Amtrak 2603 1971, nee Union Pacific 1404 "Pacific Bend" built by Budd Company in 1950. It joined the Amtrak fleet in 1971 and was upgraded from steam heat to HEP in 1977. In 1997, the car was converted for service as a crew dormitory for use on eastern long distance trains before being stored in 2006 and remained inactive until 2007, when it was modified for use by the Amtrak Police Department as a Special Communications Car. The original name, "Pacific Bend", has since been reapplied and the car will serve as a Sleeper for Amtrak staff during the 40th Anniversary Exhibit Train's tour.
Amtrak display car 10093, ex. Amtrak 1222 1978, exx. Amtrak 1049 1971, nee Santa Fe baggage car 3535 built by the Budd Company in 1953. It joined the Amtrak fleet in 1971 and was upgraded from steam heat to HEP in 1978. Needing repair and no longer fit for service, the car was stored in 2007 at Beech Grove until selected as one of the three 40th Anniversary Exhibit Train display cars.
Amtrk display car 10095, ex. Amtrak Twilight Shoreliner 1856 2001, exx. Amtrak 1219 1978, exxx. Amtrak 1029 1971, nee Santa Fe baggage car 3512 built by the Budd Company in 1953. It joined the Amtrak fleet in 1971, was upgraded from steam heat to HEP in 1978 and was one of three baggage cars rebuilt with bicycle racks for use on the Twilight Shoreliner in 2001. In 2005, it was stored at our Beech Grove maintenance facility due to mechanical problems. Selected for use on the 40th Anniversary Exhibit Train, it was the first of the three Display Cars completed by the Beech Grove shop forces.
Amtrak display car 10093, ex. Amtrak 1228 1978, exx. Amtrak 1061 1971, nee Santa Fe baggage car 3547 built by the Budd Company in 1957. It joined the Amtrak fleet in 1971 and was upgraded from steam heat to HEP in 1978. Needing heavy repair, the car was stored in 2009 at Beech Grove until selected as one of the three 40th Anniversary Exhibit Train display cars.
Amtrak 40th Anniversary Store 85999, ex. Acela Capstone Cafe car 85004 2000, nee Amtrak Amclub 201030 built by the Budd Company in 1976. It featured a "split club" configuration of 18 club seats at one end and 23 coach seats on the other. In 2000, the car was converted to Capstone Cafe car 85004 for use on the newly branded Acela Regional service then was stored on July 31, 2005 due to an abundance of food service cars of this type in the fleet. It was selected to serve as a combination 40th Anniversary gift shop and display car for the Exhibit Train, with work being performed at the Bear, Delaware and Beech Grove, Indiana maintenance facilities.
The rear of the train from the platform of Track 4.
The rear of the train from the platform of Track 3.
Display Car 10095 from the other side.
Display Car 10094 from the other side.
Display Car 10093 from the other side.
Sleeper 10020 from the other side.
Amtrak P40 822 from the other side. AC Adam and I went inside this unique trainset, starting with Display Car 10093.
Amtrak America's Railroad painting by J. Craig Thorpe.
J. Craig Thorpe Author's Statement.
The first Amtrak female uniform.
The Amtrak drumhead.
The Amtrak chevron, also known as the Pointless Arrow.
The Amtrak timeline through the years.
Amtrak West emblem.
Welcome Aboard Amtrak.
The 2011 Amtrak system map.
A model of a 1970's Amtrak train.
Display case.
Dining Car mock-up with an early server's uUniform.
Amtrak Southwest.
Amtrak Northwest.
Amtrak Florida.
Amtrak East.
Amtrak Metroliner.
A Metroliner seat.
The 1970's.
Amtrak Salutes The Military with A 25% Savings.
Discover The Legend Broadway Limited.
Another display case.
Not Everyone Was Meant To fly All Aboard Amtrak.
The 1970's East.
Gas Pains? Take Amtrak for Relief!
A person enjoying the Amtrak 40th Anniversary train.
The Train of the Future Is Years Ahead Of Schedule.
1980's Superliner Train model.
1980's uniforms.
The Portland section of the Empire Builder.
Another display case.
Another passenger seat.
Various Amtrak memorabelia.
China settings.
Coach Attendant.
The 1980's.
Amfleet seats.
Amtrak Conductor uniform.
Amtrak Police uniform.
The Empire Builder.
The Amtrak Police Deparment display.
Amtrak Police uniform,
Today Ride Amtrak Across America's Heartland.
Another display case.
Amtrak Red Cap uniform.
Amtrak route guides.
The ABC's of Station Codes.
Ski Amtrak.
Boston to New York in 3 hours and 55 Civilized Minutes.
Amtrak's Train Stations, Baggage Tags and Amtrak Vacations.
Various Amtrak memorabelia.
Amtrak Air-Rail Travel Plan.
The 1990's.
Amtrak timetables.
Amtrak's USA Rail Pass.
Take Amtrak's New Desert Wind.
The Sound of Amtrak Horn display.
