Did Anyone Think DMU Trains were new? PHOTO REVIEW

[Ocklawaha]

In the old days these things were called "Doodlebugs" until Budd Came out with the new RAIL DIESEL CAR and Colorado Railcar with the Diesel Multi-Unit (previous to CRC, DMU stood for Diesel MOTOR unit) But these critters have been around railroads for most of 100+ years, even some were steam powered way, back about 1900. So anyone that fears another NEW TOY that is not proven, put your fear to bed and check this out...


The incredible Silver Springs Special of the OCKLAWAHA VALLEY RAILROAD, at Burbank, Florida. Of course it gets top billing as my favorite bad luck shortline in history... and connected with a River we've nearly wiped out. What better word to call myself?


A product of the BRILL COMPANY, builders of many Jacksonville Traction Cars... They had a sideline in gas-electric cars. This one #9022, seen in NY state.


Thumbnail of a typical Kansas Motor Unit, and a larger one of a Milwaukee Road, unit for prairie branchlines. There were once thousands of these things all over the USA.


A classic Edwards Rail Car photo, in the early "arts deco" era. Could it be we could revive it?


One of the last of 1,000's of prairie trains in Oklahoma and Kansas before Amtrak in 1971


This is an RDC-2 Meaning it has seats for about 77 and baggage space. Many are still in service, and many more can be bought and rebuilt to order. That old baggage door converts nicely to ADA wheelchair access.


The giant Edwards Model 30, is gone... NOT! Still on the market built NEW to order today!


The last Incarnation of the Budd Company's RDC was the SPV2000, out of the box they had more mechanical trouble then your Yugo or Edsel, but today, the bugs are out...though rare, some are still around and a few are for sale.


Imagine if we bought New Edwards Cars? Just a thought? Well one is in service in Mount Dora Florida already.


What kind of craftsmanship goes into a classic railcar? Check this out at dinner time.


The ugly duckling of the lot is the Colorado Rail Car DMU single or Bi-Level. Pretty but WAY too much plastic for hard service life. Florida DOT has a fleet of them ready to go to Orlando, I just looked them over and wasn't too impressed.

Ocklawaha

[second_pancake]

Very cool...and, yes, I did think they were new.  Wow!  I like the art deco one myself.  Just something so cool about that look.