ConsistDepot.com is a collection of passenger train consists, focused on the period from before World War II to the start of Amtrak on May 1, 1971. Passenger trains of the Santa Fe, Southern Pacific, Union Pacific and Western Pacific serving California and the western United States predominate here, though passenger trains of a few other railroads are covered to a limited extent.
What Are Consists?
A "consist" in railroad parlance is a list of the locomotive(s) and cars making up a train. Each individual locomotive or car is identified by a number, name or combination of both. Many departments and offices of the railroad used consists to perform their duties. Some examples are the following. Dispatchers, yard forces and train crews used consists to assemble and operate trains. Motive power and mechanical department employees used consists to track locomotive and car usage and schedule maintenance and repair. Accounting department employees used consists to ensure proper billing and accounting for locomotive and car usage.
Who Is Interested in Consists?
Students of railroad history are interested in consist information, particularly daily consist information like that presented here at ConsistDepot.com. These daily consists show -- to the extent information is available -- exactly what locomotives and cars operated in a particular train on a particular day. Some information as to train make up can be found in public timetables, but daily consists tell a more complete story. Railroad modelers of course find this type of information insightful, particularly where the aim is accuracy in modeling and operation.
Our Methodology
Though somewhat rare, consist information from the pre-Amtrak era is found in railroad ephemera, conductor records, and notes made by railroad enthusiasts. The consists presented here are taken from original documents so as to be as accurate as possible.
Help Us Improve
We need your help to improve ConsistDepot.com. To report errors or problems, contact us at the following e-mail address: agent (at) consistdepot (dot) com . Thank you for your interest.
