EB Cardinal (P050) using Superliners 3/9

[spidersfan351]

I've received two reports that yesterday's EB Cardinal (50) through Virginia this Sunday (3/9) was operated with four Superliners and a baggage. First, does anyone know why this was the case? And second, does this mean that Wednesday's WB (P05112) will be Superliner as well?

 

[Anderson]

It's always possible that this was done as a positioning move of some kind. Considering that the timing lines up with what I recall as the planned removal of the "extra" cafe from the Auto Train, it's possible they found a day to do that move while pulling some revenue together. Still, it's a pity it was only the four-car version...the ten-car version was nicer;-)

 

[NorthCoastHiawatha]

Superliners can't run into NYP so I don't see how that would work.

 

[R30A]

The Cardinal turns at WAS when such happens.
Much like the Lake Shore turns at ALB when it gets supers.

 

[PRR 60]

Per a report at Trainorders, the westbound #51 (07) hit a boulder in Virginia damaging the locomotive. The passengers on that train were bused to their destinations. With CSX units leading, the #51 consist was taken west with the initial plan to turn the consist at IND for the trip back east as #50 (08). The CHI-IND segment was to be covered by a Superliner-equiped stub train. That plan changed with the dead-head #51 consist going through to Chicago and the Superliner #50 consist covering the entire route to WAS.

 

[battalion51]

That explains the move of that Viewliner on 66 a day or two ago. They probably ran 448's Viewliner in to New York so they could piecemeal a set together for the next 51 to go out. Just a theory...

 

[Trogdor]

Not necessarily. IIRC the standard practice for rotating the Boston sleeper through maintenance is to deadhead it BOS-WAS, then down on a Silver, or the reverse.

 

[Green Eye]

I caught the westbound Cardinal (train 51) at Culpeper, Virginia this afternoon. Indeed, it did have Superliner cars! I took photos, which can be seen at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32154745@N03/sets/72157642261077473/with/13109453655/

Enjoy!

 

[Green Eye]

I also took this video of Train 51 leaving Culpeper this afternoon.

 

[Green Eye]

My brother also recorded the Superliner Cardinal yesyerday. He gave me permission to link to his YouTube video.