A brief history of the  LIRR Budd RDCs: by Dave Keller  Last Updated: 05/03/2008
    

Budd RDC Sales Flyer 

The East Ender

 
Schematic of RDC1

RDC1, #3101, was built by Budd in 8/55 and given LIRR modernization #49.

RDC 3101, 3121 entering the Central branch west of Babylon, to Hicksville 1957
Info/collecton: Dave Keller
 

The “Budd Cars,” as most people called them, were usually seen coupled together in later years in Patchogue-Babylon “Scoot” service.

The "Budd Cars" at Morris Park.
Photo: Steve Hoskins
 

RDC2, #3121 (with baggage compartment), was built by Budd in 3/55 and given LIRR modernization #1

When they first arrived on the LIRR, they had the logo “East Ender” painted in script on their orange end doors.

The LIRR voided their warranty with the Budd Company as a result of the practice of coupling a “ping-pong” car to the RDC.

RDC2 #3121 & RDC1 #3101 
Greenport dock 1956

They were also used in Greenport service. It was during one of those trips that #3101 was destroyed in a grade crossing accident on 10/18/67 while headed eastbound along the Main Line. It hit a LIZZA sand truck at the Blue Point Road grade crossing just east of the Holtsville station. The truck was being used in the construction of the LIE in that stretch between Holbrook and Calverton 71 year old Engineer Patsy Molese was killed.

RDC1 #3101  RDC2 #3121
Oyster Bay 1956
Collection: Dave Keller

  RDC1 #3101 at Montauk  02/22/1961
Photo:  J. Claflin  Collection: Craig Zeni 

      MODEL LIRR RDCs

Disposition of the Budd cars:  #3101 was taken out of service as the entire front end was crushed in. #3121 was salvaged and stored. #3101 was sold in 12/71 to Sarnelli Brothers and scrapped at the LIRR’s Corona Yard. #3121 was traded to the B&O for their closed-end observation car “Napannee” in 7/68.

Annotations provided by Dave Keller  6/2004