Amtrak Superliners/ATSF Hi-level cars

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

[:)]

Could someone tell me the dimensions of these cars and
also direct me to where I could get drawings of same
I would like to make a Christmas display of same and would kind of
like to make it near prototypical

thanks
Trainer77

2

One suggestion would be is to comtact the Santa Fe historical society at www.atsfrr.com/

3

Trainer77,
Welcome to the forums !
A search at the Index of Magazines, (at the top of this page), using “Amtrak superliners” as the search term, turned up two relevant citations:

Amtrak’s Superliners Model Railroader, November 1982, page 84 ( AMTK, AMTRAK, DRAWING, “HEDIGER, JIM”, PASSENGER, SUPERLINER, PROTOTYPE, MR )

Modeling Amtrak in the West: an F40PH and Superliner train Railroad Model Craftsman, March 1991, page 52 ( AMTK, AMTRAK, DIESEL, EMD, F40PH, PASSENGER, “SMAUS, BOB”, SUPERDETAIL, SUPERLINER, ENGINE, LOCOMOTIVE, RMC )

You may want to do a search on “ATSF Hi-level car” to determine if there are more citations of interest.
Bob
NMRA Life 0543

4

THE source for scale drawings of the Santa Fe high-level equipment is an entire book just on those cars:
Santa Fe’s High Level Cars by Dennis J. Kogan, Larry Occhiello and Nelson
H. McCormick. Published 1975, by Prototype Modeler, Inc. pages unnumbered.
Narrative, exterior & interior pix and scale drawings of the Hi-Level El Capitan cars.

Scale drawings were also published in the magazines of the Santa Fe Modelers group, the Santa Fe Modeler and Warbonnet.

Coach #526-527 pix, plans Santa Fe Modeler JulAug85 p.13-15
hi level coach 526,527 pix Warbonnet 3Q 1999 p.10

Coach #528-537
scale drwgs,Santa Fe Modeler MarApr86 p.11
end view hi-level 528 Warbonnet 3Q 1999 p.11
hi level car 536 3/4 view Warbonnet 3Q 1999 p.11

Coach #538-549
scale drwgs, Santa Fe Modeler NovDec86 p.23-27
pix #540, ATSF Color Guide to Frt & Pass Eqpt P.10
hi level 546, steps down at one end Warbonnet 3Q 1999 p.21

Hi-level Lounge #575-580
pix plans Santa Fe Modeler SepOct86 p.10
plans Santa Fe High Iron SepOct72 p.12
hi level lounges Warbonnet 3Q 1999 p.14-15

Hi-level diner #650-655
pix, plans Santa Fe Modeler JulAug86 p.11-14
plans, Santa Fe High Iron NovDec72 p.12
#651 El Cap Hi-level blt 1956, side view Warbonnet 1Q98 p.19
hi level diners Warbonnet 3Q 1999 p.13

I understand the Amtrak cars were based on the El Capitan Hi-level design, but were a foot or two higher or lower, I don’t remember which.

5

Trainer77,
Leighant gave you some great references. I just did a search in the Index of Magazines on ATSF Hi-Level and the sole citation was:

Once upon a time in Trains: High, heavy, expensive, luxurious Trains, November 1976, page 49 Santa Fe’s Hi-Level cars ( ATSF, “GLOFF, GEORGE A.”, HI-LEVEL, “MORGAN, DAVID P.”, PHOTO, TRN )

Bob
NMRA Life 0543

6

Amtrak copied the Hi-Level cars. The Hi-level cars are 80-85 feet in length and are about 10 inches shorter in height. There are three different series of Hi-level chaircars. The first two were experimental and are angled inward from the windows up and have no fluting from the windows up. The second batch are straight from windows up and have fluting from the windows up and also have a luggage door. The third batch are identicle except for they lack the luggage door.
Ch

7

Just a note to say thanks to all who responded with information on this topic