Dart's Trinity Railway Express started up on time, on December 30, albeit with borrowed equipment.
Although none of the 14 former VIA Rail RDCs were completed in time for the start up, a nearly completed one was available, and moved under its own power from Carrollton on our Denton Branch over the Brookhollow Lead and to the DFW Sub and to Irving for static display.
Engineer Dennis Quinn brought the car to Irving on December 29, and returned it to Carrollton on the afternoon of the 30.
The cab arrangement of the 2001 and its sister cars differs in many respects from the cab of the borrowed Connecticut Commuter Rail cars presently in use. The Connecticut cars are push-pull. They have no engine or traction motors. They are pulled by a locomotive in one direction and pushed by it on the return trip. The Connecticut cars have controls with the standard 8-notch throttle in one end which is MUed through the train back to the pushing locomotive.
The 2001 cars have a control cab in each end and can be operated in trains of up to four cars. The cabs are equipped with type 26B1 Air Brake Controls and a controller with directional lever and a four position throttle.
The 2001 is powered by two 300 HP Cummins diesel engines under the car, which are coupled to axles 2 and 3 via torque converters and drive shafts. The cars are designed to run up to 85 MPH. A third engine on the car drives an auxiliary power unit to provide 440VAC three-phase for air conditioning, heating and lighting. The engines have pneumatic starters.
The cars seat 96 passengers and have 4 wheelchair positions. The cars are 85 feet long and weigh 135,000 pounds. A full load of passengers adds approximately 15,000 pounds.
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