| Type of Car: | Double deck dome coach with upper level observation platform |
Seating |
|
| Coach: | 72 |
| Dining: | 36 |
Dimensions |
|
| Length: | 89 feet |
| Height: | 18 feet, 0.5 inches |
| Weight: | ? |
| Platform Size : | 10' x 10'8.25" |
| Kitchen/Galley: | Yes |
| Lower Level Lounge : | No |
| Restrooms: | 2, 1 ADA compliant |
| ADA Features: | 1 ADA Restroom, wheelchair lift, ADA seating in dining area, lift table, ADA seating in dome. |
History |
|
| Built: | Oct. 2008 |
| Ran as: | Alaska Railroad (ARR) 656 (2008-present). |
Notes: Since its inception with the delivery of dome cars 651 and 652 back in 2005, Alaska Railroad's Goldstar service has been wildly popular. Before the first pair of cars were delivered, they were virtually completely sold out for their first season. For 2007, the Alaska Railroad augmented its Goldstar fleet with two more cars, ARR 653 and 654, and added two additional cars in 2008. Like the previous four cars, the 655 and 656 seat 72 riders in the dome. The cars will also have the trademark upper level observation platform that debuted on those first two cars. The cars will also be ADA accessible, with ADA restrooms, dining area seating, and wheelchair lifts to the upper level. |
| Photos: | |
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ARR 656 on the production floor in Fort Lupton, CO. Sept. 19, 2008. Photo by Jody Moore. Click to enlarge. |
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The dome level of ARR 656 in Fort Lupton, CO. Oct. 16, 2008. Photo by Jody Moore. Click to enlarge. |
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ARR 655 and 656 at Denver Union Station in Denver, CO prior to departure for Seattle. Oct. 18, 2008. Photo by Jody Moore. Click to enlarge. |
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Sunset on ARR 655 and 656 at Denver Union Station in Denver, CO. Oct. 18, 2008. Photo by Jody Moore. Click to enlarge. |
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A 35-minute timed exposure of ARR 655 and 656 in Paradise, MT. A work train passed by late in the exposure, creating the streaks that are visible next to the cars. Interior lights were created with a hand-held flash unit. Oct. 24, 2008. Photo by Jody Moore. Click to enlarge. |
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ARR 655 and 656 getting ready to depart from Paradise, MT. Oct. 24, 2008. Photo by Jody Moore. Click to enlarge. |
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Mount Rainier looms over ARR 655 and 656 as they pass through Puyallup, WA. Oct. 26, 2008. Photo by Jody Moore. Click to enlarge. |
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ARR 655 and 656 at King Street Station in Seattle with Qwest Field - home of the NFL's Seattle Seahawks - in the background. Oct. 27, 2008. Photo by Jody Moore. Click to enlarge. |
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ARR 655 and 656 at King Street Station in Seattle. Oct. 27, 2008. Photo by Jody Moore. Click to enlarge. |
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ARR 655 and 656 are joined on Harbor Island in Seattle by GP40-2 ARR 3004, which is coming back from lease in the midwest. Oct. 29, 2008. Photo by Jody Moore. Click to enlarge. |
For corrections, questions or to contribute photos, please e-mail me at: potb101@aim.com. Thanks!
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