Compressed Consists

Compressed consists are essentially trains that are shortened yet attempt to capture every important element of the prototype.  One example is that Silver Service trains to Florida are anywhere from nine to 10 cars (4 coaches, 1 lounge, 1 diner, 2-3 sleepers and a baggage car) long while the MLRR will model the same train with only six to eight cars (2 coaches, 1 lounge, 1 diner, 1-2 sleepers and 1 baggage car).  As one can see from this example that all the distinguishable elements are there that makes the compressed consist a viable long distance train.  What are they?  The Lounge, diner, sleeper and baggage.  Another thing to note is how the compressed consist tries to be consistent with the coach to sleeper ratio. 

Almost 90% of hobbyists in some way or another (especially those who model freight) have some sort of compressed consist.  Outside of club layouts, you don't hear of too many people who operate trains with hundreds of cars.

Below is are tables which demonstrate a prototypical consists and the MLRR's compressed version of that consist.  Modelers can feel free to adjust their consists as they see fit based on their preferences.  The compressed consists persecuted below were conceived solely on the basis of the MLRR's layout constraints.  It is also important to note that although, Amtrak uses a standardized trainset practice for most of its trains, these consists can vary at any time depending on the situation.