I have seen the reference to the “Budd” RDC car many times but never bothered to ask. Well now I am intrigued and would like some enlightenment on exactly what they were. Where they operated and would it be prototypical to have them run individually or would you have several together? I received some info from GMCRacing but would like to better understand what they were. What company makes a good HO model of the RDC? I see the P1K referenced often? Any info would be appreciated.
Terry[8D]
Proto 1000 is the only real choice.
The Athearn one is junk and too short - I have one.
The RDC’s were very popular for connecting service and off-peak locals.
THe New Haven had one of the largest fleets of RDC’s, including the RDC-1 (all coach), RDC-2 (coach/baggage), RDC-3 (coach, RPO/Baggage), and RDC-4 (all baggage/RPO).
The reasoning was to use the RDC’s to feed passengers from the dozens and dozens of New Haven branchlines to the mainlines for mainline full service train connections.
They were extremely reliable - New Haven RDC’s lasted until the mid 1980’s in Amtrak service in NE.
Even today there are several operational NHRR examples including some in ALASKA.
They were powered by two diesel engines underneath.
It is prototypical to run 1single unit all the way to 8 MUed units which I’ve seen in NHRR books.
I’ve ridden in a restored NH one and it was quite nice - seemed like a regular coach with a bit of engine drone noise.
One problem though was grade crossings - before FRA mandated cab cars and SPV’s have the same crush strengths, the cab of an RDC was where you wouldn’t want to be in a collision.
These moved along at normal passenger train speeds too.
As said earlier, the Budds were self propelled cars that where used where the passenger load could not justify a full train. Many different versions were made (I’ve heard RDC1-RDC9). The Boston & Maine was the owner of the largest amount of these cars. In their later years, some were converted to coaches and strung together like a regular train.
P1k makes a pretty good model of the RDC. They are a bit weak however (albeit like the prototype) make more noise than forsay, a P2k, and obviously aren’t quite friendly with sharp curves. Nowadays, a good price for them is about $40-45(In a shop, not the internet).
I believe years ago that athearn also produced RDC’s.
Lots of prototype info here:
http://www.budd-rdc.org/
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
A few other points.
The New Haven had the ONLY named RDC - named FIRESTONE for an online shipper in MA.
An interesting thing the NHRR tried was converting some American Flyer coaches into RDC trailers - they were painted silver and coupled to an RDC. This ended when Budd threatened to void the warranty.
Also, on the NHRR, RDC’s were occasionally locomotive hauled. It may seem odd, but the RDC’s weren’t very heavy and sometimes had trouble in snow and winter conditions - therefore a locomotive was placed on the front to haul the RDC’s through the conditions.
Thanks folks. Lots of info. Don’t think my little pike could handle an 85ft car. My min mainline radius is 22in? Very interesting to see how things develope to keep up with changing times and technology.
Terry[8D]
The book “Budd Car” by Crouse is an excellent reference.
The Jersey Central used RDC’s on some of their less traveled branchline routes as well as mainline service during off peak hours. The Highlands branch used them exclusively as did the remains of the mainline from Cranford to Bayonne after the Aldene plan went into effect. My father has the Proto 1000 version. I think it is a great model, especially for HO modelers with smaller branchline layouts who would like to incorporate the occasional passenger train in operations.
What kind of min radius will the RDC run reliably on? I have a min radius of 22 in. everywhere but in my yards.
Terry[8D]
RDC = Rail Diesel Car
The P1K should be able to handle the 22" curves, but there will be a lot of overhang and it might not look to going around those sharp curves.
The Athearn version is a shorty (72’ or ‘74 instead of 85’) and was designed for a 18" min radius, but the drive is poor. There is a re-gearing kit that comes with a flywheel from Ernst Mfg. Inc.(see http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?manu=259&split=30). It does make a noticable improvement (it’s still noisy though). You’d probably have to special order it through your LHS or directly from Terminal Hobby Shop.
The P1k RDC will run fine on 22inch curves - a friend of mine does.
Your friend runs on 22 inch curves? [:D][:D][:D]
I’m sorry, it was just too good to pass up.
Tks folks. Learned a bit more about the hobby tonight.
Terry[8D]
Trainworld has RDC-2’s and 3’s for $19.95, for some strange reason their RDC-1’s are $29.95. I’ve got a whole bunch of them as well as a dozen or so Athearn models.
Bob Boudreau
I believe there were lots of these RDC’s in use in Canada, they used to rocket between Calgary and Edmonton playing bumper cars about once a week with the local farm trucks. Talk about the perfect vehicle for short distance commutes, I would think these cars would still be viable today, hmmmm everything old is new again. I think they were used extensively in the maritimes also. Does anyone know exactly how many of these were actually made???
The website I cited:
http://www.budd-rdc.org
indicates a total production of 398 units in all the variations.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Interesting site. And it even explains why the ‘recovered’ Reading unit now owned by the Reading Company Technical and Historical Society only has 1 motor in it - it had been on the MBTA and they stripped out the transmissions and one of the motor but left the other to provide lights and air condition in the unit without retrofitting for HEP.
–Randy
I have 3 of the p1k units. They will go around a 18" curve but not as multiple units, too much overhang. P1k has started another run of these units, $85 LHS, so maybe you’ll be able to find them now.
Wayne
I too have several PROTO 1000 RDC’s. Good price at trainworld. I run on 22 inch curves. One RDC did make terrible noise on curve. It is now at Walthers for warranty work. There is some overhang, but I like the looks of the cars. Model Railroader I believe had a article on them and Trains has pictures of them from time to time. There are some at the railroad museum in Chattanooga, Tenn but I don’t remember the types. Phil
Via Rail had them in Canada, I remember riding in one from Peterborough to Toronto and back a long time ago.