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Home > Archives > Metroliner Service train at Washington Union Station, early 1970s.

Metroliner Service train at Washington Union Station, early 1970s.

Black and white photograph showing a Metroliner Service train in the yard at Washington Union Station; dates to the early 1970s.

<i>Metroliner Service</i> train at Washington Union Station, early 1970s.

The Metroliners were high-speed Budd electric cars designed for use on the Pennsylvania Railroad's busy mainline between New York and Washington. The cars generally operated as married pairs, meaning that trains had an even number of cars. Luxurious interiors and fast running times made the Metroliners a viable competitor to regional airlines, and new stations were built outside of Washington and New York to attract riders who had left center cities for the suburbs. Under Amtrak, Metroliner Service frequencies increased to keep up with demand, and trains often reached speeds of up to 110 mph. Note that in this photograph, Metroliner car No. 816 still sports the Penn Central logo. This photograph may have been taken on the first day of Amtrak operations.

Photographer: Unknown for Amtrak.