Comments on: The Budd Rail Diesel Car, and more art from Leslie Ragan

By: Christina-Jean Alexis

Christina-Jean Alexis — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 19:08:10 +0000

Yesterday by chance I was in Chatham, NY. I photographed the last of the Upper Harlem’s rails being removed by the Town of Chatham along Hudson Ave. I sent the photos to my friend Walter Zullig asking him how can I get them to you?

By: Steven Biffoni

Steven Biffoni — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 17:41:34 +0000

In reply to William Hays. You are 100% right about the FL-9's. Using them to replace the electrics was just plain STUPID. A lot of the electrics that were retired EF-3 and EF-4 classes, EP-2 which although very old still had some years remaining, the EP-3 and the EP-4. The only reason they were around for so long was the dedication of the shop crews.

By: michael sanford

michael sanford — Tue, 23 Dec 2014 21:43:20 +0000

In reply to Al Cyone. sanford162/ I like all thing about trains being that I have work for the N.Y.C. M.T.A. for #30 years and love every day of it yes I do ! So to see old newsreels I just can not tell you how I feel . To see it ,due to air travel that is a by gone area of my time ..But you know some thing it is coming back the rails don't you just love it I do full steam ahead no stops on my line!

By: Marcelo Benoit

Marcelo Benoit — Fri, 11 Jul 2014 21:27:02 +0000

In reply to Joe Turner. As far as I know, the levers were removed and the seat leved, as it was attached to the rear wall. However, when bigger seats were placed, I donÂ´t know how they solve that.

By: Mike O'Dorney

Mike O'Dorney — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 00:31:11 +0000

On the B&M,I rode many of the RDC-9 models. Nines were interspersed among the two-engine Buddliners, and in the spring and fall, they weren’t even turned on. They generally filled up with cigarette smoke, even though only one half of the car was non-smoking. Approaching stations, the conductors and trainmen would open all the doors, so the passenger movement was quicker. The wind of the train movement sucked the cigarette smoke out, and the moving train left a stream of blue haze.

I never saw any marketing info for the RDC 5,6,7 or 8, and I only heard brief mention about them. What I heard is that they were intended to be pairs, with one pair (5 and 6, for example) a cooking, and dining combination. The set would include rooms for the crew (cook and waiter). The other pair was a sleeping configuration, with possibly amenities like a snack bar, and a room for the attendant. Budd had visions of these replacing long distance trains, but no railroad even got to first base on these ideas. I don’t think the two popular RDC books mention these models.

If anyone has any more info on these “mystery Budds”, I’d like to know.

By: Roland Fay

Roland Fay — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 15:59:40 +0000

AWESOME WORK

By: Emily

Emily — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 14:20:00 +0000

In reply to Joe Turner. As far as I'm aware, only the rear door would be opened, so the door closest to the engineer would remain closed and away from boarding passengers.

By: Joe Turner

Joe Turner — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 12:11:32 +0000

I am a train driver in the UK driving class 165/6 turbo’s out of Reading on the London Paddington to Oxford route and branches. Our units have much in common with your Budd RDC’s transmission. What fascinates me is that passengers board through the drivers cab. I am curious to know how this arrangement worked. What was done with the seat and how are the train controls protected from interference.

By: John Scordato's

John Scordato's — Sat, 03 Aug 2013 02:18:16 +0000

Wow! I grew up just outside of Peekskill New York and I remember these trains! I can still hear the whistle blowing at night just before falling asleep!

By: Stephen Manzi

Stephen Manzi — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 01:06:19 +0000

Rode the decrepit Budd RDC train on the Waterbury branch for many, many years. On the way back from GCT, we’d stand on the Bridgeport platform, craning our necks to see the beaten-down old car emerge from its siding. Once inside, it was odiferous and dimly lit, and yet vaguely romantic. Of course, I’m talking about when it was actually working…many nights were spent on special service buses, as well.