Switching Private Rail cars from Amtrak!

On April 1st 2016, Amtrak 354 dropped off a pair of private rail cars at Ann Arbor Michigan, and NS local B45 took their turn to switch the cars and put them in place for their visit.
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[@platform1productions297]

Man this is my dream, travel the country in the luxury of a private rail car. No matter what comes of the future, traveling by train will always be my way to go.

[@theshapeexists]

My grandfather used to own a private Pullman car stationed at Union Station in Denver Colorado. Paid Amtrak per mile to tote it around the country. It was a beautiful car and boy do I miss him. Good times

[@johnalder6028]

Well done. Greetings from Port Saint Lucie Florida !

[@kgirl4078]

Thanks for the extra information about the private cars, they are so beautiful. Great catch, I love your vid, thank you for sharing :-))

[@FlyingScotFilms]

It's also worth mentioning that Charter own two other cars in the same paint scheme. Another custom built lightweight business car and a regular sleeper (I think its a sleeper, I don't have much authority to talk about american passenger cars)

[@TheAdamRides]

Looks like that local had to hit the joint a few times to get the pin to drop or something

[@calebharris7252]

Always a problem coupling to a Gp38 =P

[@mccoy79productions66]

Cool video!

[@marcusarline1720]

Awesome Clip

[@ivyblue1664]

I used to see private cars left at South Station in Boston, usually for a couple of days here and there. Haven't seen one now for at least two years, is there a reason for this? Security? New Amtrak policy?

[@MikeInPlano]

9:30 "I thought YOU shut off the brake valve..."

[@blackcatnh]

In the tiny home movement I see a market for rail car conversions, throwbacks to the golden age of railroading. Why convert a plain old shipping container when you can convert a rail car and go places? I guess you could save a boxcar from rusting to death in the woods by converting it into a tiny home but FRA regs would determine whether or not you could occupy it during movement. Assuming it was trackworthy (just not fit for passengers) you could have your boxcar home delivered to new places while you got there some other way.

[@GFSwinger1693]

Investing in rolling stock certified to run on the nation's rail system is not for the meek. Everything you do is measured in thousands or tens of thousands, including a short push from one siding to another. Playing with stuff like this is best left to businesses or folks with VERY deep pockets. Go look up how much even a modest weekend excursion on a charter tour will run you and you will get an idea of the numbers involved.

[@mercury7590]

I've seen these in Ann Arbor, seeing as I live nearby. Nice, aren't they? Do they stop in Ann Arbor regularly?

[@MultiMusicianman]

Great video.

[@lorenj.238]

There is a rail line that passes right under Stadium Blvd near the University of Michigan Baseball, basketball and football stadiums that has a long siding on it. It would be an ideal location to park a private rail car at for game weekends. Anyone know what railroad services that particular line?

[@ApproachAspect]

Looks like someone forgot to close the angle cock on the Amtrak unit when they pulled away...

[@1940limited]

Great video. Enjoyed it! :)

[@MichiganCentralLines]

Thank you!

[@lewspeedwagon6330]

Look at all these ole guys working on the railroad...:)

[@GTRailFanProductions]

What are these passenger cars previous RRs they operated on?

[@Billman730]

A friend told me he had at least $100K invested in updates on his car so Amtrak would pull it.

[@mark351]

Why do they let the air line just pull apart when uncoupling? Doesn't that damage it?

[@MichiganCentralLines]

Air lines are under 90 pounds of pressure and are dangerous to separate by hand. They are designed to be pulled apart as such.

[@mark351]

@@MichiganCentralLines Thanks, that makes sense now.

[@MichiganRailProductions]

I thought no more locals go through Ann Arbor. Was this an extra or does NS run a local through Ann Arbor again?

[@MichiganCentralLines]

This is an extra local

[@trainroomgary]

Are you going to be doing Model Mondays? Nice train action from AnnArbor. Classic passenger cars, those were the days. I like how you tell us the history on these cars. Get you and your camera on board. Looks great through the car's windows. 😎 • Cheers from The Detroit & Mackinac Railway 🚂

[@MichiganCentralLines]

During the summer model Mondays are less frequent because less time is spent inside during the summer. They will pick back up in the fall and winter

[@joestauber316]

trainroomgary I

[@lochas9901]

Did Amtrak stop pulling private cars recently?

[@greaterhoustonrailfan]

Trainz f7 sound?

[@SidneyPratt]

Gives me an idea for a vacation .

[@AAPRCO]

Let us help you with that. www.aaprco.com/travel/where-do-i-start/

[@jamesgilhooly1326]

I read where to swith a Private car cost $5000.00 a Switch

[@cpufreak101]

Now just how rich does one need to be to get a private car?

[@iMadrid11]

Justin Noker there's a video of a luxury train coach home for sale around 200k and rent for a private owned rail line to park it starts at 1k depending on the location and state.

[@Shinyarc]

Pretty wealthy, a full vacation in one is the same price as a used car (starts at $3,000 per day for most services)

[@SOU6900]

One thing that you have to think about is how much it takes to buy a car that is already at Amtrak standards vs buying a car that is not Amtrak certified and bringing it up to what Amtrak requires to be certified. If you can find it the AAPRCO has a pdf that would be of interest. If I remember however you can expect to spend something like $200,000+ to bring a car up to Amtrak specs and $500,000 or up easily on a car that is already Amtrak certified.

[@sparkygmarin]

Justin Noker: Like the old saying goes"....if you have to ask you can't afford it."

[@AAPRCO]

You can charter one. If you go with a group the rate is pretty reasonable for the level of service you receive. Otherwise ownership and maintenance is expensive. The private cars are usually from the 1950s and 1960s and require to be rebuilt to meet modern safety standards.

[@Idkjustgothere]

Lucky

[@dannypost6718]

F.D.R rail cars? 7 months ago they moved his car hauling car .

[@charlie8you]

Where is ur closed captain?????? For hard of hearing individuals, I miss half of what u said....{{:^(

[@marvinblankinchip2535]

charlie8you ... Theclosed Captain retired a couple of years ago.

[@rbrailfan2961]

Whyd they need to be pulled out in Ann Arbor?

[@MichiganCentralLines]

Because that was their destination for a month

[@rbrailfan2961]

+Michigan Central Lines so they already left therem

[@rbrailfan2961]

+RB Railfan *?

[@MichiganCentralLines]

RB Railfan correct they are already gone from ann arbor

[@rbrailfan2961]

+Michigan Central Lines oh ok.

[@mikepericolosi9386]

i dont mean to sound like a noob but, what are private cars? please reply with explanation 😊

[@mikepericolosi9386]

also, what railway were the cars in livery for?

[@usfarmcop]

As far as I know private cars are for a person and it's owned by that person and not by a railroad

[@MichiganCentralLines]

That is correct, however these are owned by a company, but still not a railroad. Sometimes railroad do own and operate their own cars as such though

[@MichiganCentralLines]

These are new York central inspired

[@AAPRCO]

Privately owned cars, often referred to as "Private Varnish" are cars that are owned by someone other than Amtrak or another railroad. These cars are historically former business cars from freight railroads or were in service with a railroad prior to being retired into non-railroad ownership. These days a private car owner and can pay Amtrak to move their car as long as it meets Amtrak's rigorous safety standards. Many car owners allow their cars to be chartered out or be part of special excursion trains. You can see a private on car most Amtrak trains. As an Amtrak passenger you wouldn't be allowed on the car though.

[@ParkerFortune]

CSX- CRASH SMASH XPLODE