This website has been archived from TrainWeb.org/asamtrak911 to TrainWeb.US/asamtrak911.
Simple Conversions
Some of the other pieces of Amtrak equipment that are not listed on the List of Available Models are not too different from other available models. Here is a list of changes that need to be made to available models to represent other Amtrak prototypes. As time goes on and I attempt or further research some of these projects, I'll post more thorough explanations, or maybe complete articles. This page, in conjunction with my other list, is intended to grow and become a valuable resource for Amtrak modelers. If you have notes to add, drop me a line.
Heritage Dorm/Lounge
When Amtrak made began making their Heritage Dorm/Lounges a few years ago, all they were really doing was taking a 10/6 sleeper and blanking out a few windows. As explained on the other list, some of the 10/6s had blank letterboard areas while others had fluting there (thanks to Jeff Finch for bringing this to my attention). As a result, some Dorm/Lounges have the fluting and others don't. If the car you are modeling has the fluting, and you really want to include it on your model, I suggest you look at the Con-Cor 10/6. However, the IHC/Rivarossi 10/6 is a far better model to begin with, and it accurately represents blank-letterboard cars, so I recommend using that model. At any rate, you will need to blank out the 5th and 6th windows, going from left to right, on the right side of the car (vestibule to the right). On the other side, which has 3 windows where the right side has 6, blank out the 3rd window from the right. The small Train Gifs below illustrate this.
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The underframe as furnished with the IHC/Rivarossi is really not correct, but is passable as it is a generic passenger car underframe. It is possible to make a new floor from styrene and add the various tanks, transformers, and the like. The trucks should be replaced with Train Station Products' 41-CUDO outside-swinghanger trucks. Paint the car a silver or stainless steel color, and use Miscroscale's Phase IV Superliner decals for the striping and numbers. Proper "AMTRAK" and car type lettering is unavailable.
Heritage Baggage/Mail
Amtrak also converted some of their old Heritage coaches to Baggage/Mail cars, which are now very common on long-distance trains. All they did was blank out all the windows, then cut in a baggage door on each side. This is also all you need to do, to either an IHC/Rivarossi coach or sleeper. Cut out the window strip and replace it with sheet styrene. Then, cut the baggage opening right where the car's center nameplate is. See a prototype photo to determine the exact size of the opening. Frame it with more styrene, and add a roll-up door made from Evergreen's corrugated styrene. Replace the trucks with Train Station Products 41-CUDO outside-swinghanger trucks. Paint the car silver, and finish it with Miscroscale's Phase IV Superliner decal stripes and numbers. Use the "Amtrak" lettering from the 87-426 Heritage Fleet set.
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P32AC-DM
Amtrak's P32 may look at first glance to be nearly identical to the P40BH and P42DC diesels, but there are a number of important differences that set it off. First of all, it is a dual-mode engine, meaning that it can operate either as a normal diesel, or it can draw power from a third rail. It replaces the ancient FL9s which were a much older version of the same concept. Externally, the P32's radiator grills (lower side at the rear of the locomotive) are taller and not as long as those on the P40/P42. I have not yet thought of a way to reshape them. On the roof, the radiator fan is replaced (covered?) by a pair of small radiator screens. Back down on the sides, the engine-room door is moved to a position a few feet forward of its location on the P40 and P42. The "fishbelly" portion of the underframe is shortened by a few feet at the rear to make room for another battery box. The trucks have third-rail pickup shoes. For some detailed photographs of the P32 (sorry, no roof views), visit my Prototype Section. This project is something that I've always wanted to do, and maybe sometime if I can afford to get an extra Athearn P40 to mess around with, I'll give it a shot.
