Naugatuck Lounge 1001

Number: 1001
Railroad: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Amtrak
Type: coach/lounge
Builder: Budd Company
Year: 1980

This car was part of orders for 23 Budd Company “Self-Propelled-Vehicles,” or SPV-2000’s, that the State of Connecticut and New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority ordered to replace their fleets of earlier Budd Rail Diesel Cars (RDCs).  The cars suffered from a variety of mechanical issues, and Connecticut’s 13 cars (12 of which were lettered for and operated by Amtrak) were later depowered and converted into locomotive-hauled coaches.  Naugatuck Railroad’s car No. 1001, originally Amtrak No. 997, was rebuilt with one half coach seats and the rear section set up as a conference room. 

The coach was acquired by a private individual and is currently leased to the Naugatuck Railroad.  It entered service at the end of the 2023 holiday season. The coach is split into two sections with one being a Premium Coach and the other being a Lounge, currently seating 58. The cab end of the car is equipped with a headlight, horn and bell for crews to direct “shoving” moves so there is no need for the locomotive to move to the other end of the train to change directions.