Ryand-Smith wrote:Could they use a set of Comet Vs? NJ transit is planning on replacing ALL the comets with MLVs so there is a fleet of gently used comet Vs for starter service.
NJT's flats-to-bi's replacement plan is stretched out to 2025 (and late as hell starting), and will consist of multiple separate procurements...not one neverending massive one. They've got over 160 cars buy just to replace the 35-year-old Comet IIM's, and another 100 to replace the 21-year-old Comet IV's. The 200 NJT Comet V's and 65 MNRR WoH Comet V's--all 13-15 years old--will end up running their full 25-year initial service life before replacement with how much comes ahead of it in the ordering queue. And they will have to be replaced in a joint NJT/MNRR procurement for sake of NJT being able to shift all its shops away from maintenance of the MNRR units, so there's no way any of those can be lumped together with the options on NJT's IIM & IV replacements.
The V's are basically going to run a full league-average pre-rebuild lifespan to the late-2020's, and then simply won't be rebuilt because:
1) at that point they'll be the last remaining commuter flats in North America and will essentially be unicorns, with an economically non-viable parts supply chain for a full-on rebuilding to +20 more years of extended service.
2) the stainless steel Alstom design update of the V's differs somewhat from the all preceding aluminum wholly-generic Pullman/Bombardier generations of Comets-n'-clones, and hasn't been a rousing success in service (e.g. gripes about rough ride quality, poorer than expected MTBF).
3) The Pullman/Bombardier "classic" generations will be higher-demand on the aftermarket for private & excursion carriers, and may even end up outlasting the Alstom V's in parts supply chain longevity if enough private owners stockpile dispersed coaches and parts on-the-cheap. There's 850+ currently active "classic" Comets between NJT, MNRR/CDOT, MBTA, Amtrak (Horizons), AMT, and SEPTA. Even if 80% of them eventually get cut up there's going to be warehouses and warehouses stocked full of nearly-free parts salvaged to feed through immortality the couple hundred units that trickle down to the private market. Nobody else bought the Alstom design update, so they're just not going to be of much non-scrap interest in those compared to the older gens.