… Long time passing …” (with apologies to Pete Seeger).

As I understand it there were 7 US-built “RTL” models (used primarily on New York state “Empire Service” routes) and 6 French-built “RTG” model Turboliners (used primarily on Midwest and Michigan routes).

Here is what I think I know:

Four of the Rohr RTL models were in various stages of re-build at SuperSteel in upstate NY when the plug was pulled on the project, and they were recently sold for scrap by New York State.

The remaining 3 RTLs, on which the rebuilds were completed, allegedly had air conditioning problems, were never “accepted” by Amtrak, and are now in storage at Amtrak’s Bear DE facility.

My questions:

1) Was the A/C really a problem, or merely a ruse (as some have suggested) because Amtrak wanted to unwind the NY agreement?

2) Are those 3 RTLs still at Bear?

3) Whatever happened to the 6 ANF French-built models based in Chicago? Haven’t seen anything that talks about them. Scrapped? Still in storage somewhere? Sent back to France?

Thanks for any info.