Measuring the Benefits of Intercity Passenger Rail: A Study

On the Heartland Flyer, the NPCU faces north. For the southbound run (morning #821),
the engineer is located in the P42DC locomotive, operating in “pull” mode. For the evening
(#822) northbound run, the NPCU is used and the P42DC locomotive operates in “push” mode.
In the summer months, a second P42DC may replace the NPCU to provide backup power for the
train, in the event that one of the engines malfunctions.
Rolling Stock
Rolling stock used on the Heartland Flyer includes the bi-level Superliner-series coach
and coach/café cars. Amtrak uses the bi-level Superliner-series rolling stock on most of
Amtrak’s western routes and one route in the east (5). The typical Heartland Flyer consist
includes two coach cars and one coach/café car. The coach/café car is generally located in the
center of the train in order to minimize walking distance between the passenger seating and the
café area, which is located on the lower level of the coach/café car. Figure 3-6 shows interior
and exterior images of the Superliner-series cars used on the Heartland Flyer. The images in
Figure 3-6 depict (clockwise from top left): upper-level seating area of Superliner-series coach
car, lower-level seating area, passengers boarding a coach car at the Heartland Flyer stop in
Norman, and the café area on the lower level of the coach/café car.
The coach cars contain 62 upper-level seats and 12 lower-level seats for a total seating
capacity of 74 seats per car. Seating is in a “two-by-two” configuration, with two adjoining seats
on each side of the center aisle throughout the length of the car. Lower-level seats are in
compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility guidelines and are also set
aside for low-mobility passengers and their companions. The coach/café cars contain 62 upperlevel
seats, but no lower-level seating. A typical Heartland Flyer consist containing two coach
cars and a single coach-café car has a total seating capacity of 210 seats, of which 24 (11
percent) are lower-level, ADA-accessible seating.
During peak travel periods (spring break and summer months), Amtrak adds an extra
coach car to Heartland Flyer consist. The extra coach (also known as the “relief” or “protect”
coach) is typically a second coach/café, although the second café component is not used in this
arrangement. With the relief coach, the seating capacity increases to 272 persons. The number
of ADA-accessible seats (24) does not change with this configuration, although it is a lower
percentage of the total available seats (9 percent). The relief coach is also used in the consist
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