When Amtrak took over U.S. long distance and intercity passenger transportation in 1971, they were faced with an aging roster of dissimilar equipment from dozens of different railroads. The greatest shortage, after motive power, was in coaches for medium distance intercity runs. Also on Amtrak's mind was conversion from steam heat to electric Head End Power. With these needs in mind, in 1975 they began takng delivery of 492 "Amfleet I" cars.

This rolling stock design was developed quickly, adapted from the "Metroliner" EMU of 1967. The cars came in two types, coaches originally refered to as "Amcoaches", and food service cars, called "Amcafes" and "Amdinettes". In later years, the special names were dropped, and the cars were simply referred to as Coach, Cafe, and Dinette. Their tin-can-like rounded stainless steel sides soon earned the Amfleet the nickname "Amcans".

The Amfleet I cars are the only Amtrak equipment to wear all five of Amtrak's general service paint schemes.

Amfleet I

Amfleet II

Amtrak bought the Amfleet 2 cars in the late '70s, for use on long distance trains. Each coach is equipped with 59 leg-rest seats, as opposed to 84 seats in the Amfleet 1 coaches. These cars also have only one vestibule, the extra space is used for enlarged restrooms. They were normally used in long distance trains east of Chicago, like the Lakeshore Limited and Silver Star.

Unlike the Amfleet 1s, the 2s have never been re-numbered since built. The coaches are numbered 25000 to 25124. The Dinettes are 28000 to 28024.

Other Cars

Type	"shorty" baggage car
Numbers	1300 - 1379
Notes	In 1953, the St. Louis Car Company delivered 83 troop kitchen cars to the US government. Each car was 54 1/2 feet long, over the pulling faces. They were only intended for use in a national emergency, should large scale troop movements be necessary. The only time any may have been called to service is during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1961. By 1973, it was obvious that any future troop movements would go by air, and the 20 year old kitchen cars were "given" to Amtrak. Many of these cars were modernized to accept HEP, and the most common assignment for them was in solid consists of Amfleet cars, pulled by E-60 electrics, on the NEC.