Baltimore and Ohio RDC-2 Budd Railcar No. 1961
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Built 1956
The innovative Budd Company made its first mark in the railroad world with the original "Zephyr" streamliner of 1934. Afterwards it continually created new concepts in passenger equipment--including the famous RDC car.
The RDC--short for Rail Diesel Car--was a self-propelled pocket streamliner, first built in 1949. Its lightweight stainless steel body was powered by twin under-floor diesel engines coupled to torque converter transmissions. RDC's could run singly or in trains, and came in four basic body configurations.
Simply called the "Budd car", it was a familiar fixture on many railroads, mostly on commuter and short haul secondary runs.
In 1956, however, the B&O tried a unique experiment with a long-distance main line RDC train, the "Daylight Speedliner". Operating on a tight schedule between the East Coast and Pittsburgh, the three car "Speedliner" included dining facilities--which were carried in this car, one of only two such coach/diner/baggage RDC's ever built. After the "Speedliner's" 1963 demise, its cars went into B&O commuter service. This car was retired to the museum in 1984.
Configuration: 24 coach seats, 24-seat 6-table diner, kitchen, baggage compartment
Power: Two GM-Detroit Diesel V-6 engines, 300 h.p. each
Transmission: Allison torque converter
Top speed: 90 mph