The Winni Scenic's 2024 Fall Foliage Special lineup almost has the appearance of how the MBTA operated the once self-propelled Budd RDC's in the late 1970's until the Budds were retired in the late 1980's.

The Blizzard of 1978 pretty much finished off the majority of the Budds running as self propelled units that were built with two diesel engines underneath. While one surviving diesel engine provided enough power for heating / AC (if working) / lights, etc, a locomotive was needed for propulsion in push/pull operation. Enter a fleet of B&M GP7's to provide the power, initially. The B&M GP7's had high short hoods, not the chop nosed version seen on P&L 302, a former Rock Island GP7 built in 1950. Except for the RDC9's, the Budds were still able to lead when the engine was on the pushing end with operating cab controls.

These three Budds include two former B&M Budds.. RDC-1 #6105 and RDC-9 #6921 (Designed for the B&M as a blind trailer unit, with only one diesel underneath). Both of these Budds retain the high back dark blue seats. The trailing RDC-1 was one of the last manufactured RDC's, built for the Reading in 12/1962 as #9151. The SW1001, P&L 1590 is the switcher on the south end of the F.F.S. With engines on each end, there is no need to do the runaround in Plymouth.

Photographed by Jay Gadon, September 28, 2024.
Added to the photo archive by Jay Gadon, September 30, 2024.
Railroad: Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad.

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