To qualify to operate on Amtrak trains, private passenger cars have to have full HEP wiring, so that they can be used in any position on a train, if necessary -- even if they have their own on-board generators. There are many other strict conditions that have to be met.

In addition to their ownership reporting marks, the cars then also receive an Amtrak registration number.

If the customer requests it and the space is available, Amtrak will try to operate private cars on the end of a train -- but that position is never guaranteed, as, when there is more than one private car on a train, only one can be in the end position.

(I did a feature on private passenger railcars for Executive Traveler magazine last year and talked to a number of people about issues related to their ownership and operation.)

Just curious: Was this a push-pull train with a cab control car on the end? If so, the only logical position for a private car would be right behind the engine.

-- Ernest