NERX Budd RDCs
Road Number: # 30, 31, 32

During the summer of 1948, the Budd Company decided to produce light weight self-propelled passenger cars by combining their stainless steel fabrication processes with advanced truck design and a new slant-6 engine developed by GM.

By 1949 a demonstrator vehicle S/N 2960 was introduced that when fully loaded, weighed about the same as a light-weight passenger car of the day. The car performed with exceptional reliability.

It has a high power to weight ratio of 8.68 horsepower per ton allowing the Budd Rail Diesel Car rapid acceleration from stops, and performs well on steep grades. The self propelled passenger proved to be vastly more economical to operate than a conventional train of only 2 or 3 cars.

Because it has driver's controls at each end, it has the ability to make a return trip without wyeing or spinning.

The Budd Co. built over 400 RDC units and by 1957, most were operating across North America.

There is a story about car 2960 that was running about 70 mph on the way to Montreal when it slammed into a 6 feet high by 40 feet long snow bank. There was an aufull thud, but it rolled out the other end without losing so much as a windshield wiper.

Model: RDC-x

Horsepower: 2 x 275

Engines: Two GM Type 6-110 (6 cylinders)

Max.Speed: 85 MPH

(136.85 Km/hour)

Width: 10ft 6in (3.2m)

Max Height: 14ft 7in (4.48m)

Body Length: 85ft (25.925m)

Loaded Weight: 70.548 US (short tons)

Built: 1949 - 1956