HOMECOMING. Before the Acela Express, there was the Metroliner. They were high-maintenance as electronic multiple unit cars go, and by 1981 Amtrak was running the Metroliner service with upgraded Amfleet cars and Swedish-patent locomotives. The multiple unit cars were cascaded to the New York-Philadelphia-Harrisburg auxiliary corridor until, in an economy measure, Amtrak dieselized that west of Philadelphia.

The bodies still had some life in them, and the motorman's control station could be adapted for push-pull service. Some of the control cab rebuilds went to the Hiawatha service, and some wound up on the West Coast.

Oceanside, California, 31 December 1993.

In California, these cars generally hauled sailboat fuel, as the carrier preferred not to risk passengers in the event of a grade crossing collision.

Destination: Freedom notes that the cars are returning to their Harrisburg line haunts, to be used as control trailers with electric locomotives in a coming upgrade (restoration) of the line. On the grade-crossing-free Main Line and Northeast Corridor, the renovated 68 seats will likely see some use.