Good News for Passengers

Four big U.S. railroads last week placed orders for radically new passenger cars in an effort to recapture lost passenger business and put it on a paying basis. P:The Pennsylvania ordered a low-slung, lightweight stainless-steel train from the Budd Co. that will cost "somewhat over $1,000,000" and will have a capacity of 574 passengers. A separate power car will provide heat, light, and airconditioning for the seven tubular coaches. With coaches 2 ft. lower than present models, the train will take curves faster, cut running time between Washington and New York by 15%. Delivery: early 1956.

P:Robert R. Young's New York Central and Patrick McGinmY New York, New Haven & Hartford each ordered a five-car "Train X," Young's oft-touted dream, from Pullman. Only u ft. high (v. the Pennsy's n ft. 9 in.). Train X will be capable of straightaway speeds up to 120 m.p.h., will take turns at up to 70 m.p.h., v. 30 or 40 m.p.h. with present equipment. Price: about $1,000,000. Delivery: second quarter of 1956.

P: Santa Fe, going against the trend to low-slung equipment, ordered from Budd 47 "Hi-Level" passenger cars for its transcontinental El Capitan. The road, which has been experimenting with two of the cars for a year, is so pleased with the results that El Capitan will be completely equipped with them by mid-1956. Included in the total: 35 all-chair cars, seating 67 passengers apiece, six diners, six dome lounge cars. While the height (15 ft. 6 in.) will cut speed on the bends, Santa Fe feels that on long-distance runs that drawback is offset by less noise and vibration.

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