| Amtrak Cabbage 90250 brings up the rear of Amtrak Cascades #504 as it rolls out of Vancouver. The odd piece of equipment is an NPCU (Non-Powered Control Unit), similar to a cab car. This NPCU is made out of an old Amtrak F40PHR, and was originally built as Amtrak 250 in 1977. When the F40s were retired from mainline service on Amtrak, a handful of them had their engines and traction motors removed, and the empty space filled with a baggage compartment. This earned the units the nickname "Cabbages" (portmanteau of Cab and Baggage). In its 45 year career with Amtrak, the "Cabbage" has worn a total of 4 liveries, plus a commemorative wrap. |