A line of RDC units

The Budd Co. constructed 404 Rail Diesel Cars (RDC) for 27 railroads and 4 foreign countries from 1949 to 1962. Five different models were offered: RDC1 (full coach), RDC2 (combination baggage-coach), RDC3 (Railway Post Office, baggage, coach), RDC4 (RPO-baggage), and RDC9 (full coach, but without operating controls). Each RDC is powered by two 275 h.p. General Motors diesel engines (except the RDC 9 which uses one) mounted under the floor. Currently, there are less than 50 RDCs in operation and they can be found in Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ontario and Alaska.

The Alaska Railroad has four RDCs numbered 701, 702, 711 and 712. Numbers 701 and 702 were rebuilt along the lines of the BCR units. They have 300hp Cummins, 6cyl.and Voith transmissions. Numbers 711 and 712 were re-engined with 300 hp Cummins, but retain the original Allison transmission. Numbers 701 and 702 were built as RDC4 converted to RDC2 by NH&H then reconverted from RDC2s and have larger baggage areas than the RDC3 711 and 712. (1/27/99)

The past couple of summers the RDC runs from Talkeetna MP 227 to Hurricane MP 283 4 days a week, Thursday through Sunday. It only comes back to Anchorage for service. They usually deliver them by freight train, though the crew sometimes has to run them north from Anchorage on Wednesday if there is traffic or servicing takes longer than freight departure times.  The RDCs don't supplement the Passenger Service.  They provide access for the people that camp, fish or have cabins in the road less area between Talkeetna and Hurricane.  The RDCs are also sold as "Charter Trips" throughout the years. The wintertime Passenger is operated with conventional equipment now as the RDCs need upgrades and are too unreliable for wintertime temperatures. They used to work OK, but once in a while it got very interesting, especially in deep snow. There is a year round once a month RDC Passenger run from Anchorage to Hurricane and return on the first Thursday of the month. This allows the cabin people to come to town for extended time for shopping, appointments and such. LCL freight is handled by Hi-Rail truck between Talkeetna and Hurricane. (1/27/99)

Thanks to Frank Dewey for providing the information in paragraphs 2 and 3.

Number	Type	Builder	Built	Acq'd ARRC	Rebuilt	Rev	Non-Rev	Comments
701	RDC-3	Budd	1953	1986	2001	56	0	ex-NYNH&H 126; retired 10/08
702	RDC-3	Budd	1953	1986	2000	56	0	ex-NYNH&H 129; retired 10/08
711	RDC-2	Budd	1951	1987	2000	74	0	ex-NYNH&H 121; retired 10/08
712	RDC-2	Budd	1953	1987	2001	74	0	ex-NYC M480; retired 10/08

Initial RDC delivery memories [added 11/24/09]:

• The RDCs were bought with moneys garnered by State Senator Betty Cato for improved service into Whittier. After a predetermined time the were moved north to Talkeetna. They were also used to open servive to Seward andin the winter to Fairbanks. Their reliablity was always a question. - F.D.
• They went right into flag stop service and passenger service to Whittier because they were self contained. No power cart needed and they could stand alone. They became control cabs the last few years on the push pull passenger trains. - P.D.
• If my memory serves me, the RDC’s were put into flag stop service just as soon as they arrived in Alaska. That was what they were bought for, to eliminate flag stopping the regular passenger train, especially between Talkeetna and Hurrricane where there are no roads. The problem was, as I understand it, the regular passenger train included tour company cars which were trying to maintain a tighter schedule than the flag stops would allow. Usually two RDC’s were used, especially in the summer. It seems to me that they would operate Anchorage to Hurricane and return five days a week in summer, and one trip a week in the winter. - J.P.
• I have a shot I took of the last northbound mixed on 1/11/1986 (I may have sent you a scan some time ago). The RDC's took over the run the next weekend. So to the best I can recall, that's when the RDC's entered revenue service. I don't recall them doing any other service before that as they just got them, except perhaps some testing, but no other regular service. I chased that mixed train as we knew the RDC's were starting on 1/18. There was no mid-week service. - C.F.
• I think they were put into flag stop service right away. I remember that Turpin thought it was stupid we were running a regular train in the winter for what amounted to a handful of passengers most times. - R. L.
• My understanding is that the first two RDC's were purchased to replace the locomotive & cars used on the winter Anchorage-Fairbanks run. The first (701) started 1-18-1986 running north on Saturdays, south on Sundays, plus one round trip on weekdays twice a month during the winter. It was called "Rail Diesel Car Service, Dayliner". During the Summer, one was to be used for local service, two round trips a week Anchorage-Denali Park. The second would be used Anchorage-Seward round trip on Summer Saturdays. - D.M.