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SoCal Foam Trains

In 2008, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) purchased 14 Comet IB coaches from NJ Transit for $75,000 each to alleviate overcrowding on the San Joaquin route, subsequently refurbishing them at Amtrak's Beech Grove shops to enhance their suitability for inter-city rail service by adding reclining seats with tray tables and increased luggage racks. Of the purchased cars, 12 were cab cars that were reconfigured into trailer cars by removing train controls and plating over the cab windows. Although Caltrans initially planned to deploy the "Comet car" trainsets in July 2013, the refurbishment took longer than anticipated, with the first coach, 5008 (ex-NJT 5165), completed in March 2013. The first trainset entered regular service on October 21, 2013, followed by a second on April 15, 2014. These Comet cars are set to be replaced by new Siemens Venture trainsets, after which they will be relocated to Southern California for use on other routes. On June 27, 2024, six Comet railcars and two EMD F40PH NPCU cab cars were delivered to Los Angeles, where they will support additional Pacific Surfliner roundtrips, particularly on weekends starting in July 2024.

As Amtrak's F40PH fleet was replaced by newer GE Genesis-series locomotives, Amtrak converted a number of the retired units into baggage/cab cars. Colloquially known as "cabbages" (a portmanteau of "cab" and "baggage"), and officially known as Non-Powered Control Units (NPCUs), these units had their diesel engines, traction motors, and main alternators removed, as well as a large roll-up door installed in the side (allowing the former engine compartment to be used for baggage). Amtrak converted 22 locomotives into cabbage cars between 1996 and 2007. Each converted unit was renumbered by prefixing "90" to its original number.
The GE Dash 8-32BWH, also known as the P32-8BWH, B32-8WH, or P32-8, is a diesel-electric locomotive used by Amtrak in passenger train service, based on the GE Dash 8 Series of freight train locomotives. Built in 1991, they were the first locomotives purchased to replace the EMD F40PH. Amtrak originally used the Dash 8's on mainline trains but later used them largely for switching in yards, only being used on mainline trains when newer GE Genesis locomotives were unavailable. As of 2023, 16 of the original 20 remain in service with Amtrak, including two owned by Caltrans for use on Amtrak California services. Originally used across the Amtrak system on passenger trains, the fleet has since been primarily relegated to yard switching (mainly in Los Angeles, Oakland, Chicago, and Miami), but locomotives are sometimes called upon to pull mainline trains when a locomotive from Amtrak's fleet of GE Genesis and Siemens Charger units are unavailable. As of 2023, 16 Dash 8-32BHW locomotives remain in active service with Amtrak, which has held on to them for their reliability and ease of maintenance despite their age.

Features

This pack includes five (3) models, an NPCU, a Comet Coach, and a Dash 8-32BHW locomotive. Features include cab and car interiors, lighting, rotating wheels on Comet cars, and much, much more!
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