Kato 106-3531 N Scale Amtrak Phase III Superliner 6-Car Passenger Train Set

Overview

The Superliner I fleet was built in 1979 by Pullman Standard and were based on the famous Budd built Hi-Levels operated by the Santa Fe railroad for their “El Capitan” all-coach train. 102 Superliner I coaches were built, and 48 Superliner I coach-baggage combination cars with a secure baggage hold instead of lower-level seating. For transportation of bulk items, trains would run with cars known as “Material Handling Cars” cargo carrying freight cars which would run either on the nose or tail of a consist.

Budd Hi-Level Cars: The Budd-built Hi-Level cars had a great influence on Amtrak’s passenger service, revolutionizing economy coach travel with their double-decker design. Even after the advent of the Superliner car, many of these Budd cars remained in service, in particular the “Step-Down” coach originally used to transition between single level and hi-level cars on the “El Capitan”. These cars, along with de-skirted (for easier maintenance) Santa Fe Baggage cars, were a staple on all Superliner trains up to the introduction of the Superliner II car in 1990.