Single Comet Coaches added to San Joaquins?

[randomguy65]

This has been puzzling me and I haven't figured it out yet.

Does anyone know why the San Joaquins bi-level consists have one non-revenue Comet coach added behind the locomotive?

I'd initially assumed it was for baggage but they're still using the cab cars for that.

 

[TheTuck]

They're used to meet a BNSF axle count requirement.

 

[MARC Rider]

They're used to meet a BNSF axle count requirement.

Oh, now BNSF has an axle count requirement? I thought that was just a CN thing.

 

[alanh]

Looks like there was a discussion about this in 2020.
https://www.amtraktrains.com/threads/single-level-cars-on-the-san-joaquin.77554/