CNW Long Distance Bi-Levels

CNW took delivery in 1958 of 13 Pullman Standard bi-levels configured for long distance service.

These were used on the Flambeau 400 (Chicago-Green Bay-Ashland) and Peninsula 400 (Chicago-Green Bay-Ishpeming), and were an upgrade promised to the State of Wisconsin in exchange for receiving approval to discontinue other non-400 passenger trains.  The long distance bi-levels were cosmetically and mechanically identical to the 4x4 windowed PS commuter coaches.   One car (903) had a slightly different window configuration and servicing door at forward end of the car where the bar/galley were located. 

Two photos of car 903 are below:

(source: Chuck Zeiler @ http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4103488)

(Source: Bill Hebner @ http://hebners.net/Amtrak/amtBiLev/amt9601.jpg)

These cars remained in service for 13 years until Amtrak was formed, and survived another 20 years on Amtrak's roster.  They were used for Illinois services (Illinois Zephyr, Blackhawk) as well as Chicago-Milwaukee and Chicago-Valparaiso.  CNW also leased out commuter engines to run these cars, as they had HEP and the majority of the Amtrak motive fleet was not HEP equipped.

Bi-level Roster:

48 seat Coach, 36 seat Lounge, Buffet  

• CNW 600 (AMTK 9600 GLWX 600 ARR 452)  Rebuilt by Florida Fun Train

96 seat coach (64 lower, 32 upper)   

•   CNW 700 (AMTK 9611 AMTK 9621 NERR 700) Scrapped   
•   CNW 701 (AMTK 9612 AMTK 9622 GLWX 701) Colorado Railcar scrapped for parts  
•   CNW 702 (AMTK 9613 CNW 704 AMTK 9615) Colorado Railcar scrapped for parts 
•   CNW 703 (AMTK 9614 AMTK 9624 NERR 703) Scrapped
•   CNW 704 (AMTK 9615)    Unknown
•   CNW 705 (AMTK 9616 CNW 708 AMTK 9619)  Colorado Railcar scrapped for parts 
•   CNW 706 (AMTK 9617 GLWX 706 RRCX 9012 ARR 451)  Rebuilt by Florida Fun Train
•   CNW 707 (AMTK 9618 RRCX 9014 AAR 352) Rebuilt by Florida Fun Train
•   CNW 708 (AMTK 9619)  Unknown
•   CNW 709 (AMTK 9620)  Colorado Railcar scrapped for parts 

32 seat Lounge, Buffet  

•  CNW 903 (AMTK 9601 GLWX 903 RRCX 9011 ARR 351) Rebuilt by Florida Fun Train
  

60 seat Parlor

• CNW 6400 (Converted CNW 225 RTA 7880 METX 7880)  Converted to commuter configuration in 1965, and was the only car which was retained after 1961

 

Faux Bi-Levels

Four existing cars received faux-rooflines to match the bi-levels.  This was a cosmetic change only, and the original car roof remained intact beneath the facade. 

• CNW 7601 baggage-RPO-tavern-lunch 
• CNW 7602 baggage-tavern-lunch 
• CNW 6953 diners 
• CNW 6954 diner