Hello,
I have a question for any and all Amtrak fans out there. Does anyone recall the “Fast Mail” train that ran between Washington, D.C. and Boston (or so I think) during the M&E era? If so, I need a picture or some details that you remember from its days so that I can model that particular train for my layout.
If possible, I would like to know when this train officially discontinued running for Amtrak. My era is 1990s to present day.
Thanks in advance,
Kelly Dunlap
The “Fast Mail” was not strictly a Boston-Washington operation. Nonetheless, it was primarily a mail train with a varying number of 1400-1500 series Material Handling cars and two or three Amcoaches on the back.
On April 1, 1976, Amtrak took over operation of a New-York Washington (one in each direction) mail-only train (NO passengers!) when Conrail was formed. It included a working RPO (the last one), several mail storage cars and an ex-PRR high-speed caboose in its consist. It was not posted in the public timetable and only lasted for a few months under Amtrak operation.
Impressive. What were the numbers to the train, and what was the purpose of the Amfleet cars on this train?
However, I am not impressed at the fact that this train was discontinued well before Amtrak decided to cut most cargo shipments (the exception being perishables) back in Fall 2004. Are you 100% sure that the train did not run before, say, 1997, for example?
Thanks again,
Kelly Dunlap
Amtrak Train #13 - it originated in Springfield, MA and went to Washington. It carried only mail cars. It was not published in the timetables.