Blog

Earlier this week word came from multiple sources that two private cars would be arriving in Fort Worth on Monday December 28th attached to Amtrak 21 the Texas Eagle. The private cars painted in original Northern Pacific colors belong to Webb Rail based in New York state and are normally available for charter. On this trip they were being utilized as honeymoon vehicles for their owner and his new bride.

WEBX 81044 is a Dome/Sleeper built in July of 1954 by the Budd Company for the Northern Pacific. Before going to the Burlington Northern it was leased to the Illinois Central for two years followed by service under Amtrak. It was then sold to Inland Pacific Rail and purchased by Webb Rail in 2018 after which it has undergone a complete rebuild.

WEBX 81045 is a Dome/Coach built in December of 1957 for Northern Pacific. After service with Burlington Northern it also went to Amtrak and then Inland Rail Pacific. Purchased by Webb Rail in 2018 it also has been completely rebuilt. A more complete description of each car can be found on Webb Rail’s website at this clickable link:

https://www.webbrail.com

My plan was to catch the cars in Amtrak’s consist visualized in a wide open spot in Richland Hill just west of the TRE station, and then get close up shots of the setout moves in Fort Worth. I arrived at my spot around 11:50 am just as Train 21 was leaving Dallas on time. I had less than 30 minutes to wait before Amtrak breezed by coming and going at 70 mph with the two cars tucked in behind the lone P42.

I hopped in the SUV and drove to the Fort Worth Central Station. I had arrived ahead of Amtrak 21 and I used my credentials to park on the east side of the station tracks for these views when the train pulled in.

I moved on down to the south end to watch and record the two cars being taken off of Train 21 on the left and then switched into the consist of Train 822 on the right to depart for Oklahoma City at 5:25 pm.

Before the work could start an eastbound TEXRail train passed by.

With the area now clear of other trains, P42 number 146 pulled ahead with just the two private cars.

Once the switch was thrown, the two cars were shoved back into the next track to the east.

I took the opportunity to capture this timeless view of Northern Pacific history.

As P42 number 146 was being fueled for the rest of its trip to San Antonio, a TRE train rolled west towards the T&P Building.

After the Amtrak unit pulled away came the time for the best views of the cars without anything coupled to either end.

By the time I was done P42 number 146 was moving back to the Texas Eagle consist.

Next the cars were switched on to the north end of the Heartland Flyer, but before that I drove to the west side for a look at the opposite side of the cars. As I looked over the fence and across the TRE/TEXRail main line a southbound BNSF freight in the background was heading south down to Tower 55.

Here is what the cars look like on the west side.

Train 21 made an on time departure at 2:10 pm with the Heartland Flyer in the background.

I decided I had enough coverage, but decided to drive back to the east side one more time for a view of the complete Heartland Flyer. At that time I was not sure if I would get out to catch it Tuesday as it returned from Oklahoma City.

As I was about to get in the SUV I heard the sound of an accelerating diesel and looked back to see this westbound TRE leaving Central Station.

These cars are beautiful on the outside and I am sure they are fabulous on the inside as well. Maybe some day I will have the opportunity to confirm that in person!