SO YOU WANT TO OWN A PASSENGER CAR

Transcription

1 SOYOUWANTTOOWNAPASSENGERCAR VALUABLEINFORMATIONFORPOTENTIALCARBUYERS V261

2 V262 BasedinpartonanoriginaldocumentbyLarryHaines1987and PrivateCarOwnership bystangarner UpdateCommittee BobMcLean Chairman PhilBower PaulDeverter StanGarner RobertaSprague Thecommitteewouldliketoacknowledgetheconstructivecommentswehavereceivedfrom AAPRCOMembersandAmtrakpersonnelwhohaveprovidedvaluableinsightandsuggestions afterreviewingtheoriginalversionofthisdocument. AmericanAssociationofPrivateRailroadCarOwners,Inc.2011 AlthoughAAPRCO,Inc.strivestoensurethattheinformationinitspublications,includingits website,isaccurateandup to date;industrystandardsanddatadochange,andyouruseofthis informationisbeyondthecontrolofaaprco,inc.,whichexplicitlydisclaimsanyliability resultingfromanyuseoftheinformationinthisorpreviouspublications.

3 INTRODUCTION TheAmericanAssociationofPrivateRailroadCarOwners(AAPRCO)makesthisbookletavailable toprovideinformationanddatayoushouldknowandconsiderinordertopurchase,ownand operateaprivatelyownedrailroadpassengercar.itisintendedforthefuturecarownerwho willoperatehiscarinconjunctionwithamtrak.beawarethattheprivatevarnish(pv) ownershiplandscapeischangingallthetimeandyoumustundertakesubstantialresearch beforeventuringintotheworldofpvownership.theventureintocarownershipmayfeela littledaunting,butforthosewhohavethe Time,TalentandTreasure topursuethe dream, itcanbeveryrewarding.tobeblunt,theinvolvementwithaprivatecarentailsasignificant financialobligation,soprospectiveownersshouldhavethefinancialwherewithaltoaffordthe privilege.also,beawarethat,inspiteofyourdreamstothecontrary,thisshouldbealaborof loveasveryfewareabletoactuallyrunacarasamoneymakingbusinessenterprise. WHYPRIVATECARSARECALLEDPRIVATEVARNISH(PV) First,wewilladdressacommonquestion whydoweusetheterm privatevarnish? Inthe late1800 s,beforetheautomobile,thewell to doacquiredorrentedaprivaterailroadcarto travelaroundthecountry.carsofthatvintageweremadeofwood,whichrequiredcontinual exteriormaintenance.thecoatingofchoicewasahighglossvarnishthatmadethecars standout.thepublicwouldseetheseshinycarsandknowthattheywerepassengercars. Thosethatwerenotforpublicusewere Private.Hence,thetermPrivateVarnishorPVfor short. GETTINGSTARTED JOINAAPRCO DOYOURRESEARCH AAPRCOwasorganizedin1977byprivatecarownerstoestablishanationwidenetworkof informationandfellowshipandtorepresenttheprivatecarownersasaunifiedbodytowork withamtrak.aaprcoprovidesmanybenefitsforitsmembersincludingacarinsurance program,carmaintenancedata,carsafetyguides,privatevarnishmagazine,regionalmeetings andnationalconventions.formorethanaquartercentury,manypv shavetraveledtothese conventions,oftenasspecialtrains.tojoina Special, ownersbringtheircarstoacentral locationwheretheyarecombinedintoatrainofuptotwenty fiverestoredprivatecarsfor travelovervariousrouteswithcharteredamtrakorviaengines.formany,participationin thesespecialsgivesthefirstrealintroductiontotheworldofprivaterailroadcarsandthe potentialformakinguseofacarthathasbeenpreservedandmaintainedfortheenjoymentof itsownersandfriends.potentialcarownersareencouragedtojoinaaprcoasassociate memberstogainabetterinsighttoprivatecarownership.membershipinformationisonthe AAPRCOwebsite, UNDERSTANDFEDERALREGULATIONS TheFederalRailroadAdministration(FRA),underTitle49,Part200seriesoftheCodeofFederal Regulations(CFR),regulatespassengercars.WhiletheFRAhasexemptedprivatecarsfrom mostoftheseregulations,someconfusingconditionsapply.consultwithanexperttomake certainthatyourcarisincompliance.particularattentionshouldbegivento49cfrpart221 (markerlights),49cfrpart223(glazing),49cfrpart238(passengerequipmentsafety 3

4 standards)and49cfrpart239(passengertrainemergencypreparedness).thecfrsare availableontheinternetathttp:// DOYOUHAVETHETHREE T S (TIME,TALENT,ANDTREASURE)? Averyimportantfirststepistoevaluateyourfinancialcapabilitytoowna PV. Fewcarsare ownedbypeoplewhocanjustwriteacheckfortheircarandfortheimprovements,theyneed orwanttomake.ifyoudonotfitinthatcategory,andmostpeopledonot,thenlookforacar with potential andthenspendmonthsoryearsofsweatequitymakingitintoyourown privatecar.somecarsareownedindividuallyandsomearejointventures.theindividualmust havethefinancialcapacityorthetimeandrequiredskillstodoalotoftheworkhimself.joint venturememberscanhelpfinanciallyandcanincludevariousskills,butdecisionscanbecome complicatedwithmanyowners. MUSTHAVEANUNDERSTANDINGANDSUPPORTIVESPOUSE Formostpeopletimeisaveryvaluablecommodity.OwningaPVtakestimeduringthe restorationphaseaswellasduringtheoperatingphase.formarriedpeoplewithafamily,a tolerantandunderstandingspouseisnecessary.notonlywilltheprojectdivertfinancial resources,butalsotherewillbemany,manydaysunder,aroundandinthecarbeforeawheel iseverturnedforthatfirsttrip. WHEREISHOMEFORAPOTENTIALRAILCAR? SOMETHINGSTOCONSIDER YOUNEEDARAILSIDING Storageisoneofthemostimportantaspectsofowningaprivaterailroadpassengercar.Ata minimum,atemporarystoragefacilityshouldbelocatedandavailablebeforeyoupurchasea car.possiblestoragesitesareamtrakdepotsandyards,freightrailroadfacilities,privatesidings, andmuseumandtouristrailroadproperties.privatecarparkssuchasthosefoundinst.louis, Missouri;N.Philadelphia,Pennsylvania;andOrangePark,Florida,nearJacksonvilleareavailable toprivatecarowners.experiencesbymanycurrentcarownersindicatethatthe industrial/privatesidingisthemostdesirableplacetoparkyourcar.storagefeesatprivatecar parkscanstartataminimumof$500permonthandgohigherdependinguponlocationand supportservicesprovided.securityandutilitiesaretwoofthemostimportantsupportservices. Bothhelptosafeguardyourinvestmentfromvandalsandprotectthecarfromweatherdamage (e.g.,freezingwaterpipes,etc.)theavailabilityofutilitiesatyourstoragesitewillalsopermit theperformanceofmaintenanceandrepairs.utilitiesincludeasourceofelectricalpower (preferably480v 3phase while240vwastheoldstandard,ithaslargelybeensuperseded)and water.compressedairandtelephoneservicewouldbeaplus,aswould24 hourguardservice. Whenyouarrangeforastoragelocation,besuretoperformadequateduediligenceregarding whetherornotthelocationwillremainviable.railroadsmayabandonsidingsandremovetrack ifthereisnotenoughtraffictowarrantthemaintenance. ACCESSTOTHEHIGHIRON Generally,yourstoragelocationwillnotbeimmediatelyadjacenttotheClassOnerailroadson whichamtrakoperates.thatmeansyouwillhavetohaveaswitchcrewtransportyourcartoa locationwhereittheswitchcrewcanplaceitontheamtraktrain ortoalocationwhere V264

5 Amtrakcanpickup.Thelocalrailroadswillhavetheirownrestrictionsandrequirements,which maybemorerestrictivethanamtrakrequirements.itisagoodideatohaveclearancediagrams onboard(amtrakformisavailableontheaaprcowebsite, thatthecarmeetsallclearancerestrictionsbetweenthestoragelocationandtherailroad.the mostimportantfactorsaretheclearanceabovethirdrailsandbelowtheoverheadwiresin electrifiedareas.ifithasbeenalongtimesincethecarhasmoved,thelocalrailroadwill requireanairtestandperhapsamechanicalinspectionbeforeitwillevenscheduleapickup. Amtrakrequiresanairtestandmechanicalinspectiononanannualbasis.Youshouldalso investigatethecostinmovingyourcarfromthestoragesidingtotheamtraktrainordepot. AMTRAKINTERCHANGE WHEREAMTRAKWILLPICKUPANDDROPOFF Amtrakwillpickupanddropoffcarsonlyatalimitednumberoflocations,typicallythetrain s terminalpointsandintermediatestationswith30minutesormoredwelltime.beforeyou decideonalocationtostoreyourcar,checkwithamtrakandmapoutyouraccessplantoits trains.eachtime,beforeamtrakwillpickupacar,aqmp(qualifiedmechanicalperson)must performand/orobservecertaintestingrequirements.theamtraktraincrewwillrequire certainpaperworkbeforeitwillcoupleuptothecar. HOWDOYOUGETITHOME? Inmostcases,onlycarsthathavecompletedtheAmtrakCertificationprocesswillbeallowedon Amtraktrains.Theonlyalternativeistohavethecarmovedinfreightservicewherethecarwill betreatedasafreightcar.afreightservicemovehasadditionalimplicationsthataaprco memberscandiscusswithyouinmoredetail,buttheygenerallyincluderoughhandlingintrains andinyards,andthelackofsecurityofthecaranditscontents. THEFUNPARTSOFOWNINGAPV Thissubjectcouldfillthisentirebooklet,sooneparagraphwillnotdoitjustice.Wesuggest thatyougoonlinetowww.aaprco.comandreview ThePrivateCarExperience ExperienceA LittleMagic section.toreachthissection,scrollover TravelonaPV atthetopofthewebsite andthenclickon TheExperience. Afterreadingthissection,imagineridinginarestoredand updatedrailcarattheendofanamtraktrainwithpeoplelookingandadmiringwhatyouhave accomplished.thisisthesenseofprideandfreedomthatcancomewithpvownership. MAKEATRIPONSOMEONEELSE SPVBEFOREYOUDECIDETOBUY. Beforeyoujumpintothewaterbypurchasingaprivaterailcar,itisveryimportanttoactually experiencesomeofwhatisinvolvedbytakingatriponone.thereareexcursions,offeredby manypvownersthatmaybeavailable.theseareoftenadvertisedontheaaprcowebsite, conventionandrideonthespecialtrain.anumberofcarownersmakepassageavailableto associatemembersofaaprco.thisisafantasticwaytoseemanydifferenttypesofcars,toget toknowotherownersandtheaaprcomembers,andtoasklotsofquestionabouthowthey becameowners. Anotherway,whichwouldbethequickestandleastexpensiveoption,wouldbeashort excursionbyarailroadmuseumthatoperatesahistoricbusinesscar.despitetheslowspeedof suchanexcursion,youwouldgetthe feel ofwhatitwouldbelike. V265

6 HOWWILLYOUUSEYOURNEWRAILCAR? ONAMTRAK Aprivatecarcanbeusedforbusinesstravelandentertainment,familytravel,charter operations,shortlineortouristexcursions,stationarydisplayoracombinationoftheabove.to operateonamtrakandfreightrailroads,theprivatecarmustconformtocurrentfederaland carrierregulations.thefederalrailroadadministration(fra),amtrak,via,theassociationof AmericanRailroads(AAR),theAmericanPublicTransportationAssociation(APTA),andtosome extent,thelocalfreightrailroadpromulgatetheseregulations.theexteriordimensionsofthe carmayrestrictitfromoperationoversomeroutes. AmtrakistheonlypracticalmeansoftravelfortheprivaterailroadcaronClass1railroad mainlines.freightrailroadsdonotpermitaprivatecartobeoccupiedwhileintransitdueto potentialliabilitiesandtheslackactionofthetrain.youshoulddismissanythoughtsofowninga privatecarandrovingaboutthecountrysideonbranchlines.onlyonveryrareoccasionsdo privatecarstraveloccupiedonfreightonlyrailroads. ONVIAINCANADA VIAiscurrentlyevaluatingtheirpositiononhandlingprivatecarsontheirtrainsinCanada.They havestrictsafetystandardsfortheheightofhandrailsonopenplatformcarsandwillnolonger allowpv sbehindtheparkseriescarsoncross countrytrains.whilenotimpossible,thesetwo restrictionsmaketravelincanadalessattractivethanitwasafewyearsago.however,ifatrip doesworkout,thesceneryisfantastic.expectconsiderablyhighercoststhancomparable Amtrakcosts.ThetariffsforAmtrakandVIAareavailableontheAAPRCOwebsite, LOCALOREXCURSIONRAILROADANDSTATIONARYDISPLAYS Shortlineandtouristrailroadshavetheirownregulations.MorerestrictiveFRAregulationson carglazingandsafetycomponentsmayalsoapplythanifoperatedonamtrakservice.thiscan beamuchlessexpensiveoptiontooperateyourcarbutyouarerestrictedtothatrailroad Contacttheshortlineortouristrailroaddirectlyifyouwanttooperateyourcarontheirline. Stationarydisplayshavenoregulationsexceptforlocalbuildingandzoningcodes. TYPESOFRAILROADCARS TherearethreebasictypesofcarsthatcanbeoperatedinAmtrakservice. HEAVYWEIGHTSTEELCARS ThesewerebuiltbyPullman,ACFandCC&Fbetween 1910and1931.Mostrailroadbusinesscarsareofthis type.theyaresolidlybuilt,ridewellandcanbe structurallyrefurbishedusingstandardweldingand fabricationmethods.forthemostpart,thesecarshave sixwheeltrucks.itshouldbeobviousthatwithmore wheelstherearemorepartstomaintain.inaddition, findingpartsgetsmoredifficultastimegoesby. V266

7 HeavyweightBusinessCar LIGHTWEIGHTCARS ThesecarswerebuiltbyPullman,ACFandCC&F between1935and1956.theyaregenerallyof carbonsteelconstructionwithsmoothsidesorwith flutedstainlesssteelsiding.therearealso lightweightcarsofallorpartialaluminum construction.smoothsidecarscanbestructurally refurbishedusingstandardweldingandfabrication methods.carswithstainlesssteelsidingover carbonsteelframesaresubjecttosevere LightweightSleeperLoungecorrosionbecausewatergetsbetweenthestainless steelandthecarbonsteelsidesheetsandgenerally requiresomerebuildingbeforetheyarefittoberun.thesecarsgenerallyhavefour wheel trucks. STAINLESSSTEELCARS Therearetwostyles:allstainlesssteelcarsbuiltbyBuddandcarbon/stainlesssteelcarsbuiltby PullmanandACF. BuiltbyBuddbetween1935and1956,thesecarsareofallstainlesssteelconstruction.While theyarenotassusceptibletoelectrolyticcorrosionascarbon/stainlesssteelcars,many experiencefatigueproblemsthatrequirespecializedrepairtechniquesbestlefttoaqualified shop(generallynoweldingispermissibleonstructuralmembers) BuiltbyPullmanandACFbetween1937and 1956,thesecarsarebuiltwithcarbonsteel framesandstructureswithstainlesssteel sides,endsandroofs.theyarevery susceptibletoelectrolyticcorrosioncausedby moistureunderthestainlessskinrequiring extensivedisassembly,structural refurbishmentusingstandardweldingand fabricationmethods,andthenreapplicationof stainlesssteelsides,endsandroofs. BuddStainlesssteelcoach INTERIORCONFIGURATIONS Thelayoutofthecariswhatseparatestheuseofthecars. BUSINESSCAR V267

8 Businesscarswereoriginallyintendedforusebyrailroadofficials.Theyusuallyhavean observationroomwithopenplatform,staterooms,bathroomwithshower,diningroom,kitchen andcrewquarters.abusinesscarsleeps5to8plusacrewoftwo.interiorsarefrequently paneledinmahogany,oakorotherhardwoodsandcomfortablyfurnished.someheavyweight businesscarsdonotmeetdimensionalclearancerequirementsforoperationonthenortheast Corridor.TheserequirementscanberesearchedintheMembersOnlysectionoftheAAPRCO Website, SLEEPINGCAR Asleepingcarcanbeallbedroomsorbedroomsandroomettes,oracombinationincluding opensections.manyhavebeenmodifiedwithdiningroomsand/orlounges.somehavehad vestibulesturnedintoopenplatforms.asleepingcartypicallysleeps15 21.Theinterioris usuallypaintedsteeloraluminumalthoughsomehavehadwoodpanelingadded.former Amtrakownedcarsfrequentlyhavecarpetingonthewalls.Bedroomssleeptwo,roomettes sleepone. SLEEPER/LOUNGE Asleeper/Loungeusuallyhasfiveorsixbedrooms,asmallkitchen/buffetandalounge.Thecar sleeps10 12.Theinteriorisusuallypaintedsteeloraluminumalthoughsomehavehadwood panelingadded.formeramtrakownedcarsfrequentlyhavecarpetingonthewalls. LOUNGE Thiscarhasalarge,comfortableloungeareawithfullbar.Thereisseatingfor20 40depending onthecar.itusuallyhasacrewroomandsometimesashower.theloungecaristypicallyused inconjunctionwithsleepingcars.fullloungesusuallydonothaveopenvestibules. DININGCAR Afullservicediningcaristypicallyhalfkitchenandhalfdiningroomseating36(4x2seating)or 48(4x4seating.)Somehavebeenmodifiedascombinationdiner/loungecars.Thediningcaris typicallyusedinconjunctionwithsleepingcars.dinersusuallydonothaveopenvestibules,so theymusttravelwithothercarstohaveaccess.originally,foodservicecarsdidnothavea restroom. DOMECAR Introducedinthe1950's,domecarsprovideanupperlounge/diningareawithaglassdome thatprovidesagloriousviewofthecountryside.thelowerlevelscanbelounges,coaches, diner/loungesorsleeper/lounges.designedforuseinthewest,theydonotmeetdimensional clearancerequirementsforoperationonamtrakbetweenbostonandwashington,dc.dome carsoriginallyintendedasdinersorloungesdonothavevestibules. COACHES Acoachconsistsentirelyofcoachseatsandisusedforhigh densityseatingandcarriageof passengers.thesecarsmaybemadeofanyoftheprecedingtypesofconstructionandwere oftencombinedwithbaggage,lounge,anddinetteareas. BAGGAGE/EXPRESSCARS V268

9 Afewbaggage/expresscarshavebeenmodifiedasBar/Lounge/Dancecars.Theyareidealfor largepartygroupstravelingondaytripsoronlongertripswithsleepingorbusinesscars.these carsusuallydonothavevestibules. SOYOUWANTTOBEAPRIVATECAROWNER Therearetwowaystogetintotheprivaterailcarworld:purchaseacarthatisalreadyAmtrak approvedandstarttouseitrightaway,orpurchaseacarthatneedstobebroughtuptoamtrak standardsandrefurbishit.thecostdifferencedependsonthetypeandqualityofcaryoubuy, whatyouhavetodotoit,andhowmuchworkyoudoyourself.regardlessofwhichwayyou go,ruleno.1is, Hireaqualifiedinspectortogooverthecarwithafinetoothcombbeforeyou buyit. Thisinspectionwon'tfindeveryproblem,butitwillgiveyouaheadsupifthereareany obviousproblems. Youshouldaccompanythisinspectorifpossibleinordertoreviewthecarforyourown satisfaction.aaprcocanhelpyoulocateacarinspectorinyourarea.besureyoufeel comfortablewiththeinspector,asaaprcocannotacceptanyresponsibilityforthe recommendationsofanindividualinspector. SOMEOFTHEITEMSWHICHSHOULDBEINSPECTEDANDREVIEWED Runninggear trucks,wheels,springs,pedestalliners,draftgear,airlines,bearings,brake system.(seeinformationbelowabouta40 yearinspection.) Mechanicalsystems water(includingplumbing),heat,airconditioner. Electricalsystems generators,batteries,headendpower(h.e.p.),lights,electricallocker, markerlights. Exterior stainlesssteelflutingandrustbehindthisfluting,paint,windows,doors,roof,grab irons,sidesills,etc. Interior lightfixtures,toilets,seats,hardware,signsofwaterleaks,etc. Underbody centersill,frame,flooring,andalldrainsincludingkitchen,toilet,andshower drains,etc. Couplersanddraftgear couplersmustbeinterlockingtype. Structuralintegrity includingthecenterandsidesills,collisionpostsandcouplermounting arrangement.also,checkwindowandroofleaksandresultantdamage. General overallappearance,modifications,wreckdamage,waterdamage,etc. Theaboveisonlyageneraloutline.Thecarinspectorwillgointomoredetailinhisreport.A wordofcautionisinorderhere.afuturecarownershouldrequestreferencesandbackground informationontheinspectorandthepersonsellingthecar.theinspector'sjudgmentsand V269

10 V2610 statementswillinfluenceyouropinionaboutthecar,thecar'spriceanditsworth.aswithany fieldofbusiness,opportunistscanbeencountered.checkthosereferencesand Makehaste slowly. PURCHASINGANAPPROVEDCAR ArecentlyapprovedcarhasbeensubjectedtoseveralinspectionsbyAmtrakinspectorsusing thelatestcriteriaandhasthebenefitofhavingbeenoperatedinamtrakservice.thisdoesn't meanthattherearenoproblemsthatneedcorrecting;itjustmeansthecarisaknownentity andanyproblemsshouldberelativelyeasytoidentifyandcorrect. Acarwhichhasbeeninservicefornineortenyearswasprobablyrefurbishedtoanearlier standardandmayhavehiddenproblemsthatwillneedimmediatecorrection.theseproblems canbesignificantandexpensivetocorrect. Youshouldcertainlyrequestandreceivealltheinspectionreportsforanycaryoumayintendto acquire.iftherearenowrittenreports,itisnotanapprovedcar.documentationiscritical.the costofanapprovedcarcanbe$200,000to$500,000andup,wayup. PURCHASINGACARFORREFURBISHMENT Ifyoupurchaseacarwiththeintentionofrefurbishingit,youwillneedtodecidehowand whereyouwillrefurbishit.therearethreewaystorefurbishacar:(1)doityourselfwiththe assistanceofskilledandqualifiedcraftsmen;or,(2)hireaqualifiedcarshoptodoitforyou;or, (3)acombinationofthetwo. Doingityourselfmeansfindingasuitableplacetodothework,doingalotofresearchand design,acquiringagoodsetofspecializedtools,andbeingpreparedtospendalotoftimeand money.whenyoustartout,therulesseemsimpleandstraightforward.asrefurbishment progresses,youlearnthattherulesaren'tasclearastheyfirstseemed.in processinspections mayrevealadditionalitemsthatneedtobecorrected,includingissuesthatyoubelievedwere OKatthestartoftheprocess.Justasyouputoneappliancebackonthecar,ithastobe removedagaintocorrectsomethingelse.theprocessseemsendlessandtakesfarlongerthan expected.theendresultisacarwhereyouhavethesatisfactionofknowingaboutthemany detailsofhowallsystemsfunctionandwhereitmeetsyourownhighstandards.however,be awarethatthedesignandmaterialstandardsusedforpassengercarsareofveryheavy duty construction,andoftenexceedwhatistypicallyusedinhomeorbuildingconstruction.amtrak requiresspeciallowsmokefire resistantwiringforhepsystems,forexample.railroadpartsare oftenveryheavy,andmaybedifficulttohandle.itislikelythatwhatyoucanpurchasefromthe localbuildingsupplystoremaynotbeadequateforserviceonyourrailcar.thetruckswill typicallyrequiredisassembly,specializedweldingandheattreatment.whiledoingityourselfis possible,itisnotatasktobetakenonlightlybyanovice. Havingaqualifiedshopdotheworkwillcostmore,butifyouarenotequippedtodothework yourself,it'stheonlywaytogo.itdoesrequireyoutospendagooddealoftimeattheshop, usuallysomedistancefromwhereyoureside.itisextremelyimportantthatyouunderstand whatisgoingtobedoneandwhattheresultisgoingtobe.theshopcanusuallygetthejob donefasterthandoingtheworkyourself.fasterisrelative:atypicalrefurbishmentwillrequire fromonetofiveyears,dependingoncircumstances.inanycase,alwaysgetawritten agreementwithashopbeforeanypaymentismadeoranyworkisstarted.haveaclearly

11 writtenscopeofworkandacceptancecriteria.havesomewayofidentifyinganymaterialyou arepayingforpriortoitsinstallationontothecar.inaddition,haveaclearlywrittenbillofsale wheninitiallypurchasingacar.therebuildofacargenerallytakesfarlongerthanintended, andyoudon'twanttohaveyourpurchasedmaterialsoverlookedifashopchangesownershipin themeantime. RuleNo.2: Justwhenyouthinkyou'vesolvedthelastmajorproblem,anotherrevealsitself. BallparkcoststopurchaseacarsuitableforrefurbishmentareSleeper$25,000;Dome$85,000 plus.h.e.p.,40yeartruckrebuild,etc.areextra. Costtorefurbishacaryourself $150,000 $500,000,plus,plus,plus.Thereareahandfulof carsthathave$1.5 $2.5millioninvestedinthem. Afellowcarowneroffersthefollowinginsight."Carownersneedgood,soundproject managementskillsinanycontractwork.rebuildingarailroadcarislikebuildingahousefrom scratch,andthepeoplewhodoitsuccessfully withsuccessmeasuredastimely;withinbudget; ANDwithqualitywork;whichgetsapproved1sttimearound needtomanagetheircontractors extremelywell."thisapplieswhetheryouaredotheworkyourselforhaveashopdoitforyou. Itisequallyimportanttorealizethatanychangesmadeindesignorscopeofworkoncethe projecthasstartedwilllikelyincreasebothtimeandcost. HealsorecommendsyoustarttodevelopanextensivecontactdirectoryofAmtrakpersonnel, railroadpersonnel,contractors,andpartsandserviceprovidersinallareasofthecountryatthe verybeginningofthethoughtprocess.thislistwillgrowandgrowasyouworkonthecar,then placeitinoperation.fromexperience,suchadirectorybecomesaninvaluableresource, especiallywhenyouhaveaproblemontheroadandneedhelpfast. WHERETOLOOKFORARAILCAR WiththeadventoftheInternet,youcanactuallydoalotofresearchon line.theremaybeads inprivatevarnishandinothertradepublications.inaddition,thereareanumberofbrokers abletoassistyou.theychargeafeeandcanmakethesearchmuchfasterandmoreeffective. KNOWWHATYOUAREBUYING PERSONALOBSERVATIONANDINSPECTIONBYAQUALIFIEDINSPECTOR Mostnewcarownersdonothaveadetailedknowledgeaboutwhatisinvolvedunlesstheyhave beenpartofagroupthathaspreviouslyownedacar.therefore,itisimportanttoretainan experttolookoveranypotentialpurchasetoprovideanopinionastothestateofacandidate car. GetaWrittenReport Aqualifiedpersonwhoyoumayretainshouldprovideyouwithawrittenreportonhis observationsandopinionaboutthesuitabilityofacarforyourintendedusage.ofcoursethe highestlevelofjudgmentwillberequiredifyouintendtoupdatethecartorunonamtrak.this personisentitledtoafeeforhisservicesanddownstreamhewillbecomealifelongsourceof knowledgeandideasasyouproceedwithyourproject. V2611

12 V2612 Getcopiesofallpastinspectionreportsthatareavailable. Ifthecarthatyoumaybelookingathadbeenthroughpartoralloftheprocessofgaining Amtrakcertification,youshouldmakeeveryefforttoobtainacopyofallpastinspectionreports andotherinteractionwiththeamtrakmechanicaldepartment.thesepastdocumentsbecome partoftheinspectionprocesseachyearandmustbereferencedrepeatedly. Understandthecurrentstatusofapotentialcar YouneedtoknowthecurrentstatusofacarwithregardtotheAmtrakcertificationprocess. Whatisthebrakesystemonthecar?WhatisthelatestAnnualinspectiondate,40year inspectiondate,post40yearinspectiondateandwheredoesitstandintheairbrakecot&s timeframe?arethereanyoutstandingdeficienciesthathavebeennotedinpastinspections? Arethereanyoutstandingfinancialobligationstoshops,Amtrakoranyfreightrailroadforpast runningrepairsonthecar? Doesthecaralreadyhavean800,000numberandUMLERtag? EverycarmustbeidentifiablewithintheAmtrakARROWcomputersystem,whichusesthe 800,000number.Ifthecardoesnotalreadyhavean800,000number,youmustrequestthat Amtrakassignone.Ordinarily,Amtrakwillnotassignsuchanumberuntilthecarhaspassed inspectionandisreadytorollonamtrak.likewise,everycarneedstohaveelectronictags attachedtothecarsothatasitmovesaroundtherailsystem readers thatscaneachtrainwill knowwhatcarispassingby.aaprcocanassistyouinarrangingfortheentryofdataintothe UMLER/EMIS(UniversalMechanicLanguageEquipmentRoster)systemthatmusthavecurrent datasuchasphysicalattributesaswellasinspectiondataaboutthecar. TAKELOTSOFPICTURES(BEFOREYOUSTARTTHEWORK) Therearetoomanythingstorememberaboutthedetailsandsystemsassociatedwithany givencar.document,document,document.weeksoryearslater,youwillwonderwhatsome itemlookedlikebeforeorduringtherestorationprocess.ifyoucan,makeavideoofbefore, duringandafter,itwillnotonlyhelpyourememberthings,butitwillbeasourceofpridein youraccomplishments. RESOURCESFROMAAPRCO: SignupforAAPRCOInformationBoarde mails AAPRCOhasanotificationsystemwhereanyadditiontotheInformationBoardisautomatically e mailedtomemberswhoasktobeaddedtothelist.inthisway,youwillbekeptcurrentof happeningsthataffectprivaterailcars. NetworkwithAAPRCOmembers Networkingisthe#1sourceofinformation.GotoAAPRCOconventions,meetcarowners,ask questions,etc,andcallmembersinyourareaaslistedinthecharterguideorthemembership Directory. SignupforMembersOnlyWebPages WhenyouareamemberofAAPRCO,thereisalocationonthemainpublicwebsitewhereyou canrequestaccesstothemembersonlysite.doit!inthemember sonlysection,thereisa

13 wealthofinformationthatwillnotonlyhelpyoubutwillcoverthingsyoumustknowand complywith. CarOperationMechanicalreports Thereisinformationunderthesereportsandtheycanbecalledupwithmanypasttechnical papersandrealworldcomments.further,fromthislocationyoucanaccessinformation regarding, ConditionsforMovementofPrivatelyOwnerRailroadCarsonAmtrak. See AmtrakTariff. GetBackIssuesofPrivateVarnishMagazine. Overtheyears,theassociationmagazine,PrivateVarnish,hasincludedmanyarticlescovering thehistoryandprocessofbringingoldercarsuptoamtrakstandards.additionally,private VarnishhaspublishedtechnicalarticlesthatwillbeveryhelpfulinyourquesttoownaPV.A generalindexofitemscoveredineachissueisavailableatthemembersonlywebsite. Informationonorderingbackissuesisalsothere. ASSESSYOUROWNCAPACITYWITHSKILLSNEEDED Skillswithpeoplemanagement,welding,electrical,mechanical,plumbing,andacan doattitude areallessential.ifyoudon thavethefirst,youmaybelostbecauseyouwillneedalotofhelp fromknowledgeablepeoplewhohaveworkedaroundrailroadcarsatleasttoguideyouthrough theprocesses.refurbishingacarcantakeyearsandlearningaboutwheretoasktheright questionsisessential.then,maintainingacaronceitisreadyforthefirsttripcantakemany hourseachmonth.inbothcases,itinvolveseithergettingyourhandsdirtyorhiringsomeone. UNDERSTANDTHEMANYSYSTEMSONACAR Air&brakes,water,sewage,holdingtanks,propane,power(480voltH.E.P.,240,120,64volts ormaybe32volts),generators,fuel(diesel),airconditioning,emergencylighting,markerlights, etc.,areallthingsyoumustknoworlearnabout. Eachoftheabovelistedsystemsoperateslikeasmallcityutilityrollingdownthetracks.Each hasaspecificfunctionthatisusuallyinterrelatedwiththeothersandmustbemaintained. Sufficeittosay,theowneroratleastonepersoninanownershipgroupmustbecomean expert inalloftheseareas.theresourceoftheaaprcomembersonlywebsiteisagood placetobegintolearnaboutthem.additionally,findamentorwhohasbeenthroughitbefore andasklotsofquestions. SAFETYISTHEMAINCONCERN OntheAAPRCOwebsite, RunningaCar thereisa sectionon Safety. Hereyouwillfindinformationontwoimportantsafetytopics:thefirstis the PrivateCarOwner/OperatorSafetyManuel andtheotheris PassengerSafetyRules. Bothofthesecanbedownloaded.Itisimportanttorefertothisinformation.The Passenger SafetyRules willhelpyouinalertingyourfutureridersoftheneedfordiligenceinandaround railcars. Glazing: V2613

14 V2614 Generally,theglassonacarbuiltafterJanuary1,1946mustbesafetyglassorpolycarbonate plastic( Lexan ).Intheeventyouintendtoofferpublictripsonyourcar,youwillberequired tohavefederalrailroadadministration(fra)approvedglazing.thisisexpensive.additionally, youmusthaveatleasttwoescapewindowsoneachsideofthecarincaseofemergency. ConsulttheFRAregulationsintheCodeofFederalRegulations,49CFRPart223fordetails. Couplers: ManyofthecarsnowinuseasprivatecarsoriginallyhadTypeEcouplers.Becauseofthesafety requirementforcarstoremaintogetherincaseofanaccident,itisnowrequiredthatallcarsbe equippedwithcouplersthatinterlockverticallysotheycannotslipapart.thiswillrequirea change outoftheoldecouplerstonewertypehortypef.somecarswereequippedwith nowhardtoreplacetypecscouplers.thesehadasmallershankandcouplerpocketintothe carbody,whichmakesitdifficulttoinstallanewerreplacementcoupler.theinterlockingshelftypecouplernowusedonhazardousmaterialfreightcarsisnotsuitableforpassengercaruse, asitdoesnotcleartheintercarbufferwalkway. WHATISH.E.P.?(ONTRAINS,INYARDS&ATHOMESITE) H.E.P.standsforHeadEndPower.Passengercarsoriginallywereheatedusingsteamsupplied fromaboilerinthelocomotiveusinganunderfloorpipeline.electricalloadssuchaslighting,air conditioningandblowersweresupplieddcvoltagefrommassiveundercarbatterysets,kept chargedbyanaxle drivendcgenerator.intheearly1980'samtrakconverteditsfleettouse 480volt3 phaseacelectricalheadendpowergeneratedonthelocomotiveforallheating, coolingandlightingloads,whichhasnowbecomethestandardforallpassengertrainsinthe US.Asimilar,butnotinterchangeablesystemisusedinCanada.Asetoffourtrainlinepower cablesareroutedthrougheachcar,includingasafetyinterlockcircuittoverifythatalltrainlines areproperlyconnectedbeforepowercanbesupplied.allcarsmustbeconvertedtousethe AmtrakHEPpowersystemforuseonAmtraktrains. WhenyouareinanAmtraktrain,theelectricalsystemthatrunsthelengthofthetraincanbe connectedtoyourcartoprovide480 voltpowertoyou.youmusthaveatleastthehep trainlinespassthroughthelengthofyourcaranditonlymakessenseforyoutotakeadvantage ofthesystemandusesomeofthepoweryourself.ifyouintendtorunontrainsthatuse AmtrakSuperlinersorSurfliners(high levelcars),youwillneedtocarrytwo33 inchextender cablestoallowyoutohookyourcaruptothehigherreceptaclelocationonthesuperliner. Thereareveryspecificrequirementsforhowyouinstallthecablestopassthispowerthrough yourcaraswellashowtotapintoitasasourceofenergy.thedisconnect/mainbreakermust beofaspecifictypeandbrand.beyondthisbreaker,youinstalltransformerstoreducethe voltagetowhateveryouneedonyourcar. Atmanyyardsandstationswherethecarmightbeparked,groundpowerat480voltsis availableandispluggedintothecarusingtheh.e.p.cords. Backupgeneratorwithtransferswitchandautomaticcontrols Youwillnotalwaysbeinatrainorconnectedtoyardpowerandsoitisalmostessentialthat youinstallabackupgenerator.wheneverthereisapowerfailureoryouaredisconnectedfrom theh.e.p.,youcanhaveanautomaticsystemthatwillstartyourowngeneratorandthen continuetopoweryourcaruntilh.e.p.comesbackup.atransferswitchandcontrolsthat isolatethepowerfromthegeneratorfromtheh.e.p.systemisessential.

15 220 voltyardpowercanbecarefullyusedfortemporaryneedsathome Railcarswereoriginallybuilttousebatteriesasbackupalongwithanundercargeneratordriven bytheturningofthewheelsasitrollsalong.thecarswouldhavebeendesignedfor32volt,64 voltor110voltdclightsandequipment.averyfewusedacpower.youshouldplanyournew electricalsystemtoaccept480voltsfromh.e.p.beforeamtrakwentto480volth.e.p.,the commonstationandyardpowerwas220voltac3phase,usedtoruntheaxel drivendc generatorbyuseofabuilt inacmotortochargethecarbatteriesandmanyprivatecarscan stillutilizethissystem,whichislikewisestillavailableinaveryfewolderdepotsandfacilities. However,thisolderstandbysystemisobsoleteandisbeingretiredfromwaysidelocations.In anycase,aqualifiedelectricianwhounderstandstheenvironmentthattheundersideofa railcarissubjectedtoshouldplanthevarioustransformersandelectricalpanelsfordistribution. 220 voltpowerisverycommonatindustriallocationswhereyoumightbeabletostoreyour car.withcarefulplanning,youcouldpluginthispowertoyouronboardpanelsothatyou couldhavelightingandminimalheatonthecarwhileinstorage. GENERATOR& CONTROLS( SPECIALTRANSFERSWITCHREQUIRED). Asnotedabove,thecarscanreceivepowerfromtheH.E.P.systempass throughtrainlinecables at480volts.tousethisheppower,aspecifichighcapacitycircuitbreakermustbeusedto connectyourcar'selectricalsystemtothehepsupply.oncepastthiscircuitbreaker,itisupto theindividualcarelectricalsystemtomakechangesinvoltagetobeusableforthepowerneeds ofthecar.ifanengine drivengeneratorisinstalled,itmustusedieselfuel gasolineis prohibited.thegeneratoranditsassociatedfueltankmustbesecurelymountedtothe undersideofthecar,andbewellshieldedfromundercardebrisdamage.speciallymufflered andsoundproof enclosedgeneratorsetsareavailableforprivatecaruse youandyour passengersdon'twanttolistentoanengineallnightlongwhenparkedatasiding.whenin Amtraktrainservice,thegeneratormustbeinterlockedtopreventitfrombackfeedingintoa de energizedheptrainline,topreventinjurytomaintenancepersonnel. WHATISANAMTRAK CERTIFIEDCAR ANDWHATISREQUIRED? TheAmtrakMechanicalDepartmenthasseveralStandardMaintenanceProcedures(SMPs) whichidentifyindetailitsequipmentrequirementsfortheoperationofprivatecarsonamtrak trains.amtraksmp28603specificallyaddressesprivatecarrequirements.othersmpscover thecriteriaforestablishingaprivatecar'smaximumoperatingspeed,andforrepairand overhaulofthetruckcomponents.itisimportanttonotethatanyprivatecarinspectionmust beperformedbyanamtrakauthorizedinspector,atthecarowner'sexpense.amtrakmustbe contactedtoarrangeforassignmentofaninspector. ForacartobeAmtrak"Certified",priortoanyinitialmovementonanAmtraktrain,thecar mustbefullyequippedwithamtrakheadendpower(hep)electricaltrainlines,amainair reservoirtrainline,andtheamtrakdoorcontrol/communicationpass throughtrainline.the carmustundergoaphysicaldimensionalexaminationusingtheamtrak"pc 5"formanda mechanicalexamination,andamtrakwillissuedauniqueamtrak800000seriesidentification number.amtrakwillassignaclearancecodeforthecardesignatingitspermittedroutings. V2615

16 V2616 Eachcarmustundergoatwelve(12)month"PC 1"AnnualInspectioncommencingfromthelast inspectiondate,priortoanyoperationinanamtraktrain.uponreaching40yearsfromthe originaldateofcarmanufacture,acarmustundergoacomprehensive"pc 2"mechanical inspection,includingtruckdisassembly.every10yearsfollowingthepc 2inspection(sooneron highmileagecars),thecarmustundergoa"pc 2A"detailedinspection. Documentation EverycarapprovedforoperationbytheAmtrakMechanicalDepartmentmusthaveasetof documentationonfilewithamtrakandonboardthecar.thesedocumentsareprovidedbythe variousinspectors,whoareapprovedbyamtrakandarepaidforbythecarowner.theowner alsopaysthecostoftransportationtoandfromtheinspectionpoint. Documentsinclude: PC 1PrivateCarAnnualInspectionReportsignedbyanAmtrakapprovedPC 1orPC 2inspector. PC 1APrivateCarData. PC 2PrivateCar40 YearorOlderInspectionReportsignedbyanAmtrakapprovedPC 2 inspector. PC 2APrivateCarFollow UpInspectionReport,signedbyanAmtrakapprovedinspector. PC 3Route/MileageLogwithalistofalltripsrun,withwhichcarrierandtotalmileage. PC 4ShopReportwithcompleterecordofmechanicalandelectricalrepairs,refurbishment, modifications,engineeringdrawingsandphotographsdocumentingtherefurbishmentprocess. PC 5PrivateCarClearanceFormforusebytheAmtrakClearanceBureau(Dimensional Clearance). Anapprovedcarshouldhaveallofthesedocumentsinafolderonboardthecar.TheAmtrak MechanicalDepartment sdesignatedmanagerofprivatecarstandardsshouldbecontactedto verifythestatusofthecarpriortofinalizingthepurchase.ifthecarownercannotorwillnot providethisdocumentation,findanothercartobuyortreatitasanon approvedcarand priceaccordingly. Acaryouarerefurbishingwillhavetohavethesedocumentsgeneratedandsubmittedtothe AmtrakMechanicalDepartmentaspartoftheapprovalprocess.Obtainandkeeponfileany reportsofpriorwork.providetheamtrakmechanicaldepartmentwithfollowupreports anytimechangesormodificationsaremadeafterinitialapprovalhasbeengiven.pc 1,PC 3,PC 4andPC 5reportsaresubmittedannuallyorasrequired. INSURANCE LIABILITYANDPROPERTY Amtrakrequirescarownerstomaintainaninsurancepolicycomplyingwithitsminimum requirementsandnamingamtrakasadditionalinsured.therearecurrentlytwoprimarysources forthesepolicies.oneisaaprcoaffiliated,theotherisrpca(railpassengercaralliance) affiliated.thechoiceisyours,buttherearedistinctdifferencesinthepolicies.generally,the AAPRCOpolicyisnota claimsmade policy,andtherearenoaggregregatelimitsonrecovery. Youshouldtalktoyourinsuranceagentaboutthedifferences,whichmostoperatorsfindtobe critical. TheLiabilitypolicyistoprovideprotectionforthecarownerandpaymenttootherswhomay haveaclaimforsomeactoromissiononthepartoftheentityowningthecar.thepolicymust nameamtrakasanadditionalinsuredandwillpayevenifthereissomefaultonthepartof Amtrak.

17 V2617 ThePropertypolicyistocovertherepairorreplacementoftheactualrailcaritselfinthecaseof damagetothecar.again,amtrakmustbenamedasanadditionalinsuredonthepolicyand, eveniftheycausesomedamagetothecar,theywillexpectyourinsurancetocovertheloss. OWNERSHIPENTITY INDIVIDUALORINPARTNERSHIP Everycarownershouldtakestepstolimithispersonalliabilitythatmaybecausedbyowninga privatecar.accidentslurkaroundeverycorner,andthisiswhyyoubuyinsuranceforyour automobileandhome.aprivatecarisnodifferent.youshouldstronglyconsidermaintaining adequateinsurancecoverageatalltimes. YoumayalsoconsiderstructuringtheownershipofaPVsoastolimityourliability.Thisisthe wholepurposeofformingacorporationinanypotentialrisksituation. Forexample,somePVownerslimitliabilitythroughaLimitedPartnership,withthecarowner (preferablyacorporationitself)beingthegeneralpartnerandyoubeingthelimitedpartner.in thismanner,yourpersonalliabilitymaybelimitedtotheamountyouhaveinvestedinthe partnership. Theremaybeotherformsormethodsoflimitingliability.BeforetakingownershipofaPV,talk toaknowledgeablelawyerinyourjurisdictionaboutpotentialownershipmethodsthatbestsuit yourneedsandmeetapplicablelegalrequirements. NEEDWRITTENAGREEMENTWITHBUY SELLAGREEMENT Anytimeyouspendmorethananominalsumforanewtoy,youwillwanttohaveawritten agreementsettingforththetermsandconditionsofyourownershipofthecarandtheduties andwarrantiesoftheseller.aswasmentionedearlierinthisbooklet,youmustprotectyourself againstallkindsofhazards,includingthosecausedbyunscrupuloussellersandtheiragents. Contactaknowledgeablelawyerinyourjurisdictionaboutstructuringabuy sellagreementin thewaythatbestsuityourneedsandlegalrequirements. AIRBRAKESYSTEMSANDTESTINGOFAIRCOMPONENTS Theairbrakesonaprivatecarconsistsofanairbrakecontrolvalvesystem,operatingtread brakes(abrakeshoeappliesagainstthewheel)and/ordiscbrakes(abrakepadappliesagainsta brakediscinboardofthewheel).thecarwillalsohaveamechanicalhandbrakesystem,which usesaleverorwheelatoneendofthecartoapplythebrakesusingalinkageassembly.the brakesystemonthecarmustbemaintainedunderspecificfraregulations. Therearetwobasic"families"ofcontrolvalvesystems,onetypegenerallyusedonpassenger carsandtheothergenerallyusedonfreightcars.whilebothoperateonthesameprinciples, thepassengertype(26candolderd22systems)haveagraduatedreleasefeature.thefreight type(abdw)onlyoperatesindirectrelease,anddoesnothaveagraduatedreleasefeature. TheAmtrakstandardisforuseofthegraduatedreleasefeature.Aprivatecarequippedwithan ABDWorotherbrakesystem,whichoperatessolelyindirectreleasewillonlybeoperatedin AmtraktrainssubjecttovariousAmtrakoperatingrestrictions.Thisincludesminimumtrain consistrequirements,andamaximumnumberofcarsoperatingindirectreleaseinatrain consist,asrequiredbyfraregulations.amtrakisphasingoutuseoftheobsoleteucbrake systemonprivatecars.

18 V2618 AirbrakecontrolvalvesrequireperiodicCleaning,Oiling,Testing,andthedateofsaid maintenancestenciledonthecar(cot&s).thetimebetweeneachcot&sismandatedbythe FRAandwillvarydependingonthebrakevalvetype.CurrentCOT&Sintervalsfordifferent valvesinamtrakserviceareasfollows:typed 22,36months;Type26 C,48months;andType ABDW,72months.ForcarsoperatingonfreightrailroadstheFRAintervalsare:TypeUC 15 months;typed 22 24monthsandType26Cis36months.AsingleCarAirTestmustbe conductedonthecar,usingacalibratedtestingvalve,wheneveracontrolvalvewasremoved fromthecar,suchasduringthecot&s.itisrecommendedthatyouonlyusecurrently approvedpassengerbrakingsystems,andthisissomethingthatyourinspectorcanadviseyou about. ForeachCOT&Sevent,thebrakevalvesandothercomponentsthatarerelatedtotheairand brakesystem(suchaswaterraisingsystems)needtobesenttoashopforinspection, lubricatingandtesting.allowtimeforshippingandinstallationinadvanceoftheactualvisit fromanapprovedinspector.thesepartsareheavyandbetweentheshippingchargesandshop workyoucanbelookingatcostofcloseto$2,000ateachinterval.ifyoucanobtainacopyof PrivateVarnishissues33and34,thereisagoodreviewofwhatisinvolvedintheCOT&S process. COSTSOFOPERATIONONCECERTIFIED Costsforstorage,Insurance,security,power,switching,annualinspections,(COT&S), (periodically)wheelmaintenance&replacement,generalupkeep,fuelforgenerator,airhoses, etc.,canbesubstantial. Beforeyoueventurnawheelwithyournewlyapprovedcar,youmustbepreparedforfixed costsfortheaboveitemsonanongoingbasis.youshouldestimatebetween$10,000and $20,000peryearforstorageandupkeep.Ifyouaddina$20,000to$30,000paintjobeveryten tofifteenyears,youmayunderstandwhythishobbyisnotforthefaint hearted. 40 YEARINSPECTION Accordingtorailroadrules,freightcarriersarenotrequiredtointerchangecarsover40years old.mostpotentialpv sareolderthanthislimit.amtrak,asourhaulingrailroad,hasset standardsfortheseoldercarsthatmustbemetbeforetheywillconsiderevenconnectingtoa car.thesestandardsdealwithmanyaspectsofstabilityofacar.inparticular,thetrucksmust becompletelydisassembled,inspectedforwearandthenreassembled.frequently,allnewpins andbushingsandinsomecasesnewspringsarerequiredtocorrectexcessivewear.the carbodystructuremustalsoundergoanextensiveinspectionforcrackingandcorrosion damage,andberepairedasnecessary.thisprocessisexpensiveandverytimeconsuminganda designatedamtrakapprovedinspectormustobserveeachphase. Additionally,aspartoftheprocessyouwilllikelyneedtoaddcablingforH.E.P.(passthrough andtappingforyouruseonthecar),communicationsystems(doorcontrol/communications Line)andpossiblylocomotivepush pullcontrolmultipleunit(mu)connections.thiswhole processcanrunwellinexcessof$100,000percar.italsorequiresheavyequipmenttoliftthe cartoremovethetrucksandexperiencedhandstooverhaulanyundercarsystemswhile workingthere.thefreightrailroadsgenerallyacceptcarsforcarriagethatmeetamtrak standards,butsomemayimposeadditionalrequirements.inparticular,somefreightcarriers

19 arerequiringtheuseofmodernsealedaxlerollerbearingswithrotatingendcapsinlieuofolder bearingdesignswithfixedbolt oncovers.amtrakhasaspecificationforh.e.p.conversion. WhiletherequirementfortheCommunicationsLineisstillintheofficialStandardMaintenance Procedure(SMP),checktoseeifitcanbewaivednowthatradiosarethecommunication systemofchoice.again,yourcarinspectorcanexplaintherequirements 10 YEARTRUCKROLLOUT Afterthefirst40 yearinspection,everytenyearsoratcertainmileageintervals,thetrucks mustberolledouttoinspectthetrucksandcertainotherenumerateditemsinamtrak s specifications.thisisusuallyaccomplishedinconnectionwithanannualinspection.(see commentsonreplacementofundercarairhoses,below.) LIFEOFAIRHOSES Airhosesareusedtoconnectboththebrakelineandamainreservoirsystemforairona passengercar,fromcartocar,andbetweencomponentsunderthecar.aarandfrahave specifictimeframeswhenthesehosesmustbereplaced.thehosesbetweencarsmustbe replacedeveryeightyearsbecausetheyareexposedtothesunwhichdeterioratesthem.hoses thatareunderthecarthatconnecttoeachtruckforbrakingandtotheendbracketswherethe hosesbetweenthecarsattachmustbereplacedeverytenyears,generallyinconnectionwith thetenyeartruckrollout. PAINTING HISTORICALORNEWLIVERY(PAINTSCHEME) Youwillneedtodecidehowyouwantyourcartolook.Willyourestoreittoitsoriginallivery (paintscheme)orwillyouchangeittoanothercolorofyourchoosing?partofthefunforsome PVownersistoresearchtheheritageoftheoriginalcar.Thiscantakemanyhoursoftimeon lineandatmuseumlibraries,butitisworthit. Realizethatpaintingisjustthecoveringovertheskinofthecar.Therewillbeweeksof preparationandskinrepairbeforeyoueverspraythefirstcoatofpaint.youmaygulpatthe costofpaintinexcessof$300pergallon,butthepreparationworkmayexceedtheactualcost ofthepaintseveraltimesover.doyourresearchandaskothercarownerswhattypeandbrand ofpainttheyhaveused.youwillfindthatthereisnoconsensus.environmentalrequirements couldaffectthechoice. Partofyourresearchshouldincludereadingthefourissueserieson PaintingRailroad PassengerEquipment inprivatevarnishissues79,80,81,and84. RESTORATION INTERIORFIX UPANDPAINTING Whenyoufirstlookinsideanoldrailcarthathasbeeninuseorstorageforanumberofyears,it willseemlikeadauntingtasktoevermakeitlivableagain.taskoneistojustcleanoutallthe accumulatedjunkanddoagoodcleaningofallsurfaces.duringthistask,keepaneyeoutfor anydocumentationorlabelsonequipmentthatmighthelpyoufindanoriginalmanufactureror partsthatyoumightneed. V2619

20 Ifthecaroriginallywasa woodinterior suchasanoldbusinesscarwithmahogany,walnutor oakpaneling,makeeveryefforttopreservewhatyoucan.ifitwasapaintedsteelinterior,be preparedtodoalotofcleaningandsandingandthenhireagoodpaintertore spraythewhole thingtobringitbacktolifeinyourowncolorscheme.thisinitselfwillbeahugetask. Overtheyears,somecarsweredecoratedwithcarpetorvinylwallcoveringonthecorridor walls.thecarpetprobablyhasabsorbedmanydifferentodors.youwillhavetodecidewhether tocleaninplaceorremoveandchangethewalltreatment. RENEWPLUMBING,ASREQUIRED Whenwetalkofplumbinghere,weareonlytalkingofwaterandsewer,nottheairsystemfor thebrakes. Waterforthecarissuppliedfromlargetanksunderthecarwhichcanberefilledatvarious stationsasyoutravelacrossthecountry.oncethetanksarefilledandthespecialfillhandleis closed,thetankwillbecomepressurizedwithair(fromthebrakelineorasupplemental compressor)andthenthewaterisforcedupandthroughoutthecar.afewolderbusinesscars usegravityfeedofwaterfromoverheadtanks.chancesaregreatthatifthecarhassatidle throughawinterperiodthepipesmayhavefrozenandburst.theprocessoflocatingthese leaks,usuallyinafloortrenchorunderthecar,willtakesomeeffort.however,itwillmakeyou understandwhyitissoimportanttodrainthesystemandblowoutanyremainingwaterinthe systembeforeeachwinterseason,ifyouareinacoldarea. Generally,oncetheintegrityofthepipingcanbeconfirmed,gaskets,packings,etc.willneedto berenewedtomakeforanoperationalsystemintothefuture. Theremayverywellhavebeenachilledwaterdistributionsystemtodelivercoldwatertoeach sleepingarea.itisstronglysuggestedtoabandonthatfunctionaswellastodevelopthe approachtocarryseparatewaterfordrinking.whilethewatertanksneedtobechlorinated periodicallytoprovideasanitarysource,untilyouhavemadestopsatseveralwaterfillstations, thewater,althoughpotable,willlikelybestaleandisbetterusedjustforflushing,showering anddishwashing,etc. Beawarethatwaterisavaluablecommodityonatripandthatwaterconservationandsome sortofahotwaterrecirculationsystemwillmakefuturetripsmoreenjoyable.again,usethe AAPRCOwebsite, Inthepast,allusedwaterjustflusheddownontothetracks.Now,whilegraywaterfromsinks, showers,andthekitchencanstillbedisposedofthatway,alltoiletflushingmustgotosome sortofholdingtankoranon boarddigestionsystemsuchassoldbymicrophor.togetthe effluentfromthetoiletstoaholdingtankwilltakemajorplanningtogettheslopeofthedrain pipesfromthefarthestsourcetoworkout.whileitisnotnormalpracticeinresidential construction,generally2inchdrainlinescanwork,butplanforstrategiccleanoutsincasethere isastoppage.becauseoftheneedfordirectdownhillflow,planyourseweragesystemeven beforeyoustartputtingintheconduitsforh.e.p.andthenew27pinandm.u.systems. RENEWELECTRICAL,ASREQUIRED V2620

21 V2621 Arailcarisjustasmallrollingresidence.Betweenlighting,fans,callsystems,etc.thereare manycircuitsthatneedtobeconsidered.attheoutset,makeeveryefforttoobtainacopyof thewiringdiagramforthecarortheclassofcarfromsomesource.ifthecarwasbuiltby Pullman,thereisagoodchancethattheIllinoisRailwayMuseumatUnion,Illinois,mayhave thisandmanyotherdrawingsanddocumentsonfilefromthepullmanarchives.forafee, whichiswellworthit,theycanlookupandcopyagreatdealoftechnicalinformationusedin theconstructionoftheircars.getit! SincemanycarsoriginallyranonDCpowersuppliedbyaSpicerDriveconnectedtothewheels, youwillhavetodevelopanewgameplanforpoweronyourcar.carscamein32volt,64volt and110voltdcversions.ifitwasoriginallya110voltcar,youareinluckbecausetheinternal wiringshouldbegoodforpowerdistributionwithinthecar.forlowervoltagecars,youhave theoptionofusingastepdowntransformertotheoriginalvoltageorrewiringthecar.speak withothercarownerswhohavebeenthroughthisbefore.don tjustpullouttheoldwiringuntil youhaveaplanbecausetheoldwiremayjustbecomeyourpullwirefornewcircuitry.always plantousestrandedwireandtoprateconnectorsasthemotionofthecarcancauseproblems downstream. Assumingyourcarwillbeequippedwithatapfromthe480 volth.e.p.system(fullpassthrough systemnowrequiredbyamtrak);youwillneedastepdowntransformertoreducethevoltage to220/110forelectricalneedsinthecar.consultthearticleinprivatevarnishissue85tomore fullyunderstandthevariousoptionsinvolved.also,seekgoodtechnicaladvicefromsomeone withgoodelectricalskills.realizethattherailroadenvironmentisnotordinaryhousehold wiring. ADDAKITCHENIFCONVERTINGFROMASLEEPEROROTHERCARTHAT DIDNOTHAVEONE Theplanformostprivatecarownersistohaveacarthatisessentiallyself contained.ifyouare lookingatacarthatwasoriginallyasleeper,thiswillgenerallyinvolvetheremovalofsomeof thesleepingaccommodationsandthebuildingofanewfoodpreparationandeatingarea.since thisisanindividualdecision,itwouldbewelltoseekoutothercarownerswhohavebeen throughthisprocessbeforewithasimilarcarlayout.withpv s,itisoftenexpedienttotalkto thosethathavegonebeforeandlearnfromtheirmistakesorsuccesses. STRUCTURALCONSIDERATIONS(LOOKFORRUSTINCRITICALAREAS) AllcarsbeingconsideredascandidatestobeconvertedintoaPVhavealreadyservedalonglife andtraveledmanymiles.theenvironmentwheretheyrancanmeanahigherlikelihoodof structuralproblemssuchasrust.forexample,carsthatruninnorthernclimateswherethey enduredharshwintersmayberustybecausetheywereexposedtosaltusedtomelticeand snow.rustistheresultofoxidationonexposedmetalandismorelikelytoformbetween layerssuchastheframetotheskinorattheundersideofthecarbody.ifitlookslikearust bucket,itmaytakemoretobringitbacktolifethanitisworth. Stainlesssteelcarsdonotrust,butthematerialisverysensitivetodevelopingstructural crackingovertime(termedfatiguecracking),orwhenexposedtoexcessiveheat,especially whereunderfloorbracketshavebeenattachedtothesidesillsorcentersillbyarcwelding. Repairsperformedundertheguidanceofastructuralengineerfamiliarwithstainlesssteel railwaycarsmayberequired.

22 V2622 Electrolysisistheprocessofcorrosionbroughtonbythepassageofelectricalcurrentthrough thetouchingofdissimilarmetals,generallyinconnectionwithmoisture.themostlikelyplaces itisencounteredonarailcarwillbebetweenstainlesssteelandregularsteelorbetween aluminumandsteel.ineithercase,itwillbecomeahugeheadache,andconsultationwitha competentmetallurgistissuggestedbeforeembarkingonrebuildingacarwiththese characteristics. Collisionpostsarefoundatbothendsofrailcars,andasthenameimplies,areintendedtohelp protectpassengersinthecarincaseofacollisionbetweentwotrains.thepostsareoften enclosedintheskinattheendofacarinalocationwheremoisturemayhavecollectedand causedcorrosiontodeterioratethestructuralintegrityoftheposts.aspartofanyamtrak inspection,youmayberequiredtoexposethisareaand,ifproblemsarefound,todo substantialrepairsincludingprovidinganupdatedanalysisbyastructuralengineerfamiliarwith railroads. Therearemanyrepairstomostcarsthatwillberevealedbythepre purchaseinspection previouslyrecommended.thesemayincludesidesillrepairs,andotherstructuralmembers. REPORTINGMARKS InordertokeeptrackofcarsoperatingontheU.S.railroadsystem,everycarisassigneda locatordesignationwhichconsistsofafourletterowner sdesignationandasixdigitnumber. Thereportingmark PPCX (PrivatePassengerCar X )isfortheexclusiveuseofaaprco members.useofthismarkcarriesafinancialresponsibilityforthecarowner. Whenacarmovinginfreightservicerequiressomekindofmaintenancedone,thecarrierwill automaticallybilltheownerofthereportingmarkconnectedtothatcar.inthecaseofthe PPCXmark,theownerisAAPRCO.EachcarownerusingthismarkmustindemnifyAAPRCOfor anycharges. Amtrakwillassignasix digitnumberinthe800,000seriesforanycarthatwillbeoperatedon Amtrak.ThisnumberwhencombinedwiththePPCXwillbethelocatorforthespecific passengercar.amtrakkeepsdataoneachcarintheirarrowcomputersystemsothatthey havecurrentdataoncardataandinspections. Inaddition,thereisanationalsystemcalledUniversalMachineLanguageEquipment Register(UMLER).Onceagain,dataisrecordedinthissystemsothatanyrailroadoverwhichit operatescanimmediatelyknowdataaboutthecarincluding,butnotlimitedto: Carname&number Yearbuiltandbywhom Dateoflastmajortruckrebuild(40yearrequirements) COT&Sdate,Lubedate Length Weight Height Braketype Couplertype Bearings Etc.

23 AWORDABOUTASBESTOS Beawarethatbackwhenmostofthepotentialprivatecarswerebuilt,asbestoswasthe insulatingmaterialofchoice.steamheatwaslikewiseuseduntiltheadventofh.e.p.,andthe steampipesbelow(andsometimeswithin)thecarwerecoveredwithanasbestoswrap.itis importanttoaddressthesaferemovalofanyofthismaterialattheoutset.amtrakwillnot allowanyworkorinspectionstobedoneataterminalonacarwithasbestosuntilafteran outsidecontractoriscalledintoremoveit.itisfarbettertodealwithitinalessstructured environment.stateorfederalagenciescouldrequesttheremovalofasbestos.certainwork practicescanalsoreducetheriskofexposureduringremoval.considerconsultingacertified asbestoscontractorbeforeproceeding. Andonthesubjectofinsulation,manyoldercarsusedhorsehairforinsulationbetweenthe walls,andthismaterialwillburn.soyoushoulddonocuttingwithatorchuntilyouknowwhat isunderneathandadjacentthepartsyouarecutting.somenewercarshavestyrofoam insulation.again,becarefulwithtorch. INFORMATIONFORDISPOSINGOFACAR Planahead.Don tjustleavetheplantoyourheirs SELLITONYOUROWNSCHEDULE Websites,carbrokers,noticeinrailpublications Prepareinformationpacket(Verbal,brochure,pictures,video,etc.) GIVEITTOYOURKIDS GIVEITTOYOURFRIENDS GIVEITTOAMUSEUM Theremaybeataxdeductionifthemuseumisa501c3organization.Themuseummaywant youtoprovidethecostofsettingupadisplayand/orprovideamaintenancefund.thebest thingtodoishirealawyerwhoknowsrailcars.thelocalbarassociationmightbeaplaceto startwiththis. GETTINGREADYFORATRIP GETONPRIVATECARNOTICELISTFROMAMTRAK. PeriodicallyAmtrakwille mailaprivatecarnoticetoallcarownersorthosewhohave requestedtobeonth inglist.itishelpfultoreceiveanycurrentinformationinthis manner. ThisinformationisalsoavailableontheAAPRCOMembersOnlywebsite, undernews/views. V2623

24 V2624 KEEPAPHONELISTOFCONTACTS Intheprocessofacquiring,restoringandoperatingyourrailcar,youwilltalktohundredsof peopleforadviceandconsent.manywillneedtobecontactedinthefuture,andhavinga contactlistwillbeveryhelpful.makenotesonthelistasyougo.keepahardcopyinaddition toputtingthenumbersinyourcellphone.havingahardcopythatyoucanscanquicklyonthe roadishelpful. NORIDINGONFREIGHTTRAINS MostfreightrailroadswillnotallowpassengerstorideonaPVwhenitisbeingswitchedor movedinfreightservice.andgenerally,youwillnotwanttorideonthebackofafreighttrain inanyevent,becauseoftheroughhandlingcharacteristicsofsuchtrains.indeed,thisiswhy everythingissecurelylockedorbolteddownwheninfreightservice. GETTOKNOWTHELOCALTRAINPEOPLE Onceyourealizethatyoucannotmovea75to100toncarwithoutthehelpofaswitchcrew andanengine,itbecomesobviousthatgettingalongwiththepeoplewhocanhelpyouisvery important.themorepreplanningandcoordinationthatyoucanworkoutwithyourlocal railroadrepresentativethebetteryoulifewillbe. CALLANDGETACQUAINTEDWITHSPECIALMOVEMENTSSTAFF. InordertogetyourcarmovedonAmtrak,youhavetosubmitaMovementRequest.Itwill benefityouasanewcarownertointroduceyourselftothespecialmovementsstaffassoonas youcanandtoaskwhatthingsyouneedtodotomaketheirlifeeasierandyourmovesmore efficient.thiswaythestaffwillhaveanameattachedtoan800,000carnumberandhopefully apositiveimpressionaboutyou. UNDERSTANDTHATYOUARETHEGUESTOFTHERAILROADS Allprivatecarownersshouldunderstandthatwebasicallytravelovertrackthatisownedbythe freightrailroadseventhoughwemaybeattachedtoanamtraktrain.freightrailroadswould ratherpassengerswerenotontheirpropertyatall.afreightcarnevercomplainsbutwhenever apassengerisdelayedorinjured,therailroadgetsbadpress.pvtravelisonlyanoptionbecause thepvbecomespartofanamtraktrainandbenefitsfromthemandated accessestablishedon Amtrak sbehalf. COMMONCOURTESIESMAKELIFEBETTERFORYOUANDTHENEXTGUY Safetyisthemostimportantaspectofyourexistenceontherailroad.Knowtherules,andmake certainthatyouandyourguestsobeythem.thisincludessuchthingsasnotdrinkingonthe platform,andnotofferingalcoholtorailroademployees.seethedosanddon tscontainedin thesafetybrochuresmentionedpreviously. Itissaidthatasmile,a Please, anda ThankYou, willcutthroughalotofredtape.ifprivate carownersandtheirguestsarecourteoustotheworkersthatpvownersneedtodealwith throughoutthesystem,yourtripswillbemuchmorepleasant.additionally,onebad experience,whereaserviceisdemandedratherthanrequestedwillreflectnotonlyonthe personmakingthedemandbutonallothercarsthatcometoafacilityinthenearfuture.

25 V2625 AMTRAKCHARGES TheactualchargesleviedbyAmtrakareoutlinedinthedocument, ConditionsforMovementof PrivatelyOwnedRailroadCarsonAmtrak. Thecurrentchargesatthetimeofthiswritingare $2.10/miletooperateonecarononeofitstrains.Thereisa$1,000.00minimumchargeforany totaltripmovement.asecondcartravelingonthesamerequestformcosts$1.60/mile.thefee includesprovidingwaterforyourtanksandice. AmtraknowchargesanannualActivationFeeof$250.00percar.Thisfeeisdueandpayablein thefirstpartofeachcalendaryear.amoverequestwillnotbeprocessedunlessyouhavein handorhavescheduledyourcar'spc 1AnnualInspection. AdailyfeetolayoveratanAmtrakcontrolledstation(i.e.,stayinDenver,Chicago,LosAngeles, Oakland,SeattleorWashington)is$100.00perday,dependingonservices.Apremiumwill applyforotherlocationssuchasbostonandneworleans.carwashingandsewageholdingtank servicingareextra. HOWDOIGETMYCARONATRAIN? Youfilloutaform,ofcourse!AmtrakFormNRPC2208willdetailthedates,trains,car(s)and destination(s)youwishtovisit,andwhatservicesyourequireatyourstopovers.youshould reviewthearticleinprivatevarnishissue123,whichexplainsthedetailsneededtocomplete theform.whenitisfilledout,itmayb ed,faxedore mailedtoamtrakforreviewand (hopefully)approval.whenapproved,feesmustbepaidinfullbeforethemovecommences. Youcanobtainafill inversionofthisformwithintheaaprcomembersonlysiteunder Car Operations. Requestsmaybesubmitteduptooneyearinadvance,butitwillprobablynotbe processeduntilafewdaysbeforetherequestedmove. CarsoperatingontheNortheastCorridor(BostontoWashington,DC)musthaveanAClearance (themostrestrictive)onfile.propaneisnotallowedonanycaroperatinginandoutofnewyork City(becauseofthetunnelsinthecityandundertheHudsonRiver). Anumberoftheprivatecarsrunningtodaywerebusinesscarswithanopenplatform.Forthese cars,thedesiredpositionis"rearmost,platformrear"onanytrain.whenthereareseveral requestsforagiventrain,theprioritygoestothefirstmoverequestsubmitted.whenitcomes totheannualaaprcospecial,thechairmanoftheeventisgiventheoptiontoberearmost. YOURNEEDAKNOWLEDGEABLEREPRESENTATIVERIDINGONTHECAR AtthetimeyousendinyourMovementRequest,youmustdesignatea PersoninChargeofthe Car. Thispersonwillneedtocoordinatewitheachtraincrewtoagreeonanyscheduleor safetyitemsonthetrip.whilethismayseemlikeaneasyjob,thereismuchtobeawareof concerningthephysicaloperationofthecarandhowitmayrelatetothetrainupahead. Forexample,havingtheextendercablesready,knowingaboutthewaterandsanitarysystems forserviceatterminals,arrangingforgarbagedisposalatappropriateplaces,requestingice fromthecommissary,beingawareofhowtheon boardgeneratorsystemworksandhowitmay beinterrelatedtothehep(headendpower)cutover,knowingwheretogetfuelifonalong trip,etc.areallthingsapersoninchargemustbeabletohandle.thisknowledgeable representativemaybethecarownerifheisahands onpersonoritmaybeapaidorvolunteer staffperson.justknowthatyouhavetoplanaheadforasuccessfultrip.

26 V2626 TERMINALSWHEREYOUCANGETACCESSTOLONGDISTANCETRAINS Oneoftheconcernswithoperatingaprivatecarisaccesstothelongdistancetrains.Inmost casesaswitchengineandcrewwillbeinvolvedincouplinguptothetrain.ifyourcaris deliveredtoanamtrakterminal,saybyafreightrailroad,thenthetrainwillbemadeupbythe yardcrew.foralistofthelocationswhereyouwillbeabletojoinatrain,researchinformation containedinthefacilityguidesectionoftheaaprcomembersonlywebsite. TERMINALSWHEREYOUCANLAYOVER InformationaboutthevariousroutesandcitiesislocatedontheAAPRCOwebsite FacilitiesGuide. Hereyoucancheckon servicesavailable Watering,ice,garbagedisposal&pumping.Youcanalsoseethe Amtrak PrivateCarNotices whichcontaininformationaboutdetoursduetotrackworkandother currentinformation. SCANNER:GETRADIOFREQUENCIES Itisofteninterestingandsometimesnecessarytohearwhatisgoingonwiththetrainby listeninginonconversationsbetweenthedispatcher,theconductor,andtheengineer.thisis donebyhavingascannerwhichwillsearchmanyradiochannelsandthenamplifywhatisbeing saidwhenitfindsanactivefrequency. Thewebsite, track on line.com/amtrak freqs.shtmlisagoodsourceforthespecific channelsthatareusedonthevariousroutesthatyouwillbetravelingon.fromthewebsite youcanselectthetrainsyouwillbeonandprintoutthelistrelatedtothattrain.aaprco providesitsamtrakcertifiedmemberswithabookcontainingappropriatefrequencies. TWOWAYRADIO:MUSTSIGNUPANDSENDINFORM/EMERGENCYONLY Normalcommunicationbetweentherailroadpersonnelisbytwo wayradio.whileitis normallyillegaltotransmitonthe100(soontobe200)railroadchannels,itisrecommended thateachcarhaveaccesstoaradiothatcanbroadcastintheeventofanemergencyoran appropriateneedtocommunicatewiththeconductor.theseradioscostseveralhundred dollars.youmustsignupwithamtrakandpledgetoonlyusetheradioinanemergency.the FCChasbeguntheprocessofchangingthefrequenciesandtheirbandwidthusedbythe railroads.makecertainanyradioyoubuywillhandlethenewsystemrequirements. InstructionsfortheuseofrailroadfrequenciesarecontainedintheMemberOnlysectionunder AmtrakRailroadRadioUseForm.TheFormnotedaboveincludesthewording, Non railroad employeesshouldtransmitonrailroad assignedfrequenciesonlywhenauthorizedtodosoby therailroad,orincaseofemergency. Theonboardrepresentativeshouldhaveaconference withtheconductoroneachtrainandlethim/herknowthatwehavearadio.thissetsupa procedurefor necessarycommunications suchasconfirmingadoublespot,etc. COMMUNICATIONBETWEENCARSONANAAPRCOTRAIN Whenagroupofprivatecarownerstravelstogether,suchasontheannualconventionSpecial trains,thereistheneedtobeabletocommunicatebetweenthevariouscars.aaprcohas adoptedtheuseofthe FriendsRadio systemthatcanbeobtainedfairlyinexpensively.by prearrangement,allcarsaretohaveaunitsettoaspecificchannelsothatinformationcanbe shared.besuretocoordinatewiththetrainmasterorleaderofthegrouptobeabletohear andrespondtoinformationordirectionthatisbeingsentout.

27 V2627 NEEDTWO33 INCHH.E.P.EXTENDERCABLESTORUNBEHINDA SUPERLINER Asmentionedpreviously,becauseofthedifferenceinheightbetweentheHEPtrainline receptaclelocationonasinglelevelprivatecarandthedoublelevelsuperlinercar,eachcar mustcarrytwo33 inchextendersthatareusedbytheelectricalcrewwhenconnectingthe H.E.P.Itisimportanttokeeptrackofthesecablesbecausetheyareveryexpensiveandoften mayjustbetossedonthegroundwhenacarisdisconnectedfromatrainatitsfinaldestination. Partofyourjob,asacarowner,istobevigilant,andprotectyourownproperty. MAYNEEDTOCARRYA BACK UPHOSE FORCONDUCTORTOCONTROL BRAKESONREVERSEMOVE Atsometerminalswherecarsaretobeaddedtothelongdistancetrains,acarmayneedtobe shovedsomedistancetobeconnectedtotherearofatrainwaitinginthestation.itis recommendedtocarryaback uphosethatisconnectedtothebrakelinebythemechanical crewintheyardandallowstheconductorto ridethepoint duringtheshoveandstillhave controlofthebrakingsystem.thiswillonlyberequiredinspecificsituationssocheckwiththe yardcrewsthatyouseemostofthetime. MORETHINGSTOCONSIDERBEFOREYOURFIRSTTRIP. 1. Leavehomewithafullfueltankandknowthehoursofrunningavailable. 2. Carryextraparts:brakeshoes,waterhoses,gladhandhosesandgaskets. 3. Callaheadtoeachterminaltobesurethattheyknowyourcarisinboundonthetrain. 4. ThefriendshipsandmutualaidavailablefromAARPCOmemberswillbeveryrewarding. ANNUALCONVENTIONS&SPECIALTRAINS (THISISWHATWELIVEFOR) Bynowyoushouldhaveabetterunderstandingthatthefirstfewmonthsoryearsofprivatecar ownershiparetakenupwithalotofworkbringingaonceoperablehotelonwheelsbacktoa newlife.afterallthiswork,itistimetobegintoenjoytheoperationsphaseofthisadventure. Ofcourse,justtravelingonyourprivatecar,attheendofanAmtraktrain,istherewardthat mostcarownersstrivefor.thereisacertainsenseofpridewhenotherpassengerswalktothe rearofthetraintoseethisextracarthatobviouslyisnotstandardandlookslikeithassome historybehindit.littledotheyknowwhatyouhavebeenthroughjusttobereadyforthatfirst orsubsequenttravelexperience. OneofthemorepleasantopportunitieswillbetoparticipateintravelonanAAPRCO ConventionSpecialTrain.ThisSpecialusuallycontainstwentyormoreprivatecarsallgoingtoa threedayconventionoflike mindedfolkswhohavealsoexperiencedtheeffortthatittakesto fulfillthedreamofprivatecarownershipandoperation. Let sstartatthebeginning.youlearnaboutafutureconventionandknowthatallofthecars thatintendtoparticipatewillrendezvousatacertaincityorterminalpointonadesignated date.afteryouhavehadyourannualinspectionbyanamtrakapprovedqmp(qualified MechanicalPerson),youmustarrangeyourindividualtravelfromyourstoragelocationtoa

28 placewhereyoucanjoinamtrakforthejourneytotherendezvouspoint.thatmeansplanning theroutethatyouwanttotakeandsubmittingaprivatecarmovementrequest. Fornow,ignoringalltheminordetailsofthecostoftravel,arrangingforfood,etc.,yougetyour approvedpnr(personalnumberreservation)forthetripandyouareonyourwaytoa wonderfuladventure.thismayrequiretravelonseveraldifferenttrainsandalongthewayyou mayjoinupwithotherprivatecarsheadedforthesamestartingpoint.youwillimmediately findthattheseotherlike mindedcarownershavebeenthroughthesameprocessyouhave beenthrough.theywillenjoyexchanginginformationaboutthehistoryoftheircars,the hurdlestheyhaveovercomeintherefurbishingofthecarsand,moreimportantly,the anticipationofseeingfriendsonthespecialtrainandattheconvention. Uponhearingthatyouownaprivaterailcarpeoplewillsay, I veneverknownanybodywhohas aprivaterailcar. Theappropriatereplyis, Oh,Ihavelotsoffriendsthathavethem. YoufinallyarriveatthestartingpointoftheSpecialTrain.MorethantwentyPV sinonespotis quiteanexperience.preplanningforthetrainwillhavethelineupofcarsallsetinanticipation ofhowtheywillneedtobespottedattheconventionsite.theswitchcrewwillmakeupthe train,getallofthepowercableslacedupbetweencars,andcarryoutaverythroughinspection andtestingofthebrakesfortheentiretrain. Earlythenextmorning,withthreeorfourcharteredAmtrakenginesonpoint,thetrainwillpull outoftherailyardforthisphaseoftheadventure.therouteofthespecialtrainisplannedto allowformosttravelinthedaylighthours,forlayoversatstrategicspotstoservicethetrain, andforpassengerstovisitcitiesalongtheway.often,travelwillbeoverrailsthathavenot seenapassengertrainformanyyearsor,insomecases,aredestinedtoberippedupand abandoned.thisisknownastravelingon RareMiles, andmanyrailfanskeepcopiouslogsof theseraremileroutesthattheyhaveridden. Aftertravelingtwotothreedayswithovernightstops,thetrainarrivesattheConvention locationandgenerallywillbedividedupintoseveralparallelstringsofcars.duringthe convention,whichisusuallydocumentedinissuesofthemagazineprivatevarnish,social activitiesaswellastechnicalsessionsandbusinessmeetingswillbeavailable. AftertheConventionisover,thetrainmaycontinuebacktoitsstartingpointoritmayendat anotheramtrakterminallocationwherethecarscandisperseandreturntotheirhome locations.always,alotoffunishadbyallandtheanticipationofnextyear sconventionbegins alloveragain,realizingthatonaprivatecarthejourneyisatleastasmuchfunasthe destination. Asnotedabove,afunandinterestingtripiswhatwelivefor theultimaterewardfora substantialinvestmentandalotofhardwork.itiswellworthit. V2628

29 NEXTVOLUMES Thereissomuchtosayaboutthejoysofowningandoperatingaprivaterailcar.Thisvolumeis mainlyaboutthepurchaseofaprivaterailcar.ifyouhavereadthisfarandarestillwonderingif itisworthallthework Itis.Wehopetogoontofuturevolumesaboutoperatingaprivate railcar. CREDITS: BasedonanoriginaldocumentbyLarryHaynes,1987&variousrevisions. Basedon PrivateCarOwnership bystangarner,2005&variousrevisions. 2011UPDATECOMMITTEE: BobMcLean Chairman PhilBower PaulDeVerter StanGardner RobertaSprague V2629