Some random things found on the Internet:
| Either 8400 or 8401 is lurking in the background, in front of the red building. |
| Amtrak 8400 (1st) - formerly GN 1145. |
| Amtrak 8401 kitchen side - formerly GN 1146. |
| Amtrak 8401 hallway side - formerly GN 1146. |
At National Train Day, I visited the Amtrak exhibit cars at St Paul Union Depot. The dining car China was of interest for 1146.
 | The pattern on the bottom half of the table is what was used in 1146 (8401) during its Amtrak years. I found a tea pot lid down in the ice cream well. The pattern on the upper left is what I was able to get sixty place settings of at a very good price, so I use it when I host meals in 1146. |
 | The interpretive signage identifies my 1146 china as "Second Pattern" (blue) and "Claytor" (red stripe). |
 | A little closer view of the second pattern. |
These neat dining table reservation cards popped up on eBay.
 | Five reservation cards in Big Sky Blue. Pretty! |
I decided to build the vestibule platform. The framing installed in October 2012 was not as flat and level as it should be, so I had to cut it loose and rework more carefully. I also bought new stainless diamond tread. This will not be welded in until after the vestibule has been sand blasted and painted, to prevent damage to the new stainless. And that implies the new side sills have to be installed so that the corner of the car side/body end wall can be finished.
 | A new sheet of stainless steel diamond tread. |
 | After cutting off the platform joists, I got an length of angle for a straight edge and a few adjustment tools and clamps, and started carefully reinstalling them. |
 | The adjustment tools were my grinder and a sledge hammer for weight and/or slight re-bending. |
 | Grinding away just enough to fit around collision posts and end door posts was a lot of tedious fussy work. |
 | I kept the original stainless door threshold. It sits on top of and will be welded to the new diamond tread. |
 | Marking for width with a scratch awl. |
 | After fine tuning it finally lays flat. |
I had the opportunity to acquire a collection of passenger car interior hardware. After close examination, some are needed in 1146 but several will be surplus. (Ping me if you have specific needs).