by scratchyX1
I ask again, Is brightline getting techs who actually know the gear, and amtrak getting contractors who had training classes?
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scratchyX1 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 23, 2022 9:10 am I ask again, Is brightline getting techs who actually know the gear, and amtrak getting contractors who had training classes?I think to others' points, Brightline never had another locomotive. Their techs and mechanics have only ever worked on SC-44s (at least, for Brightline). Amtrak has a little bit more of an eclectic mix of GE power that a whole generation of mechanics has been trained on (and now essentially has to unlearn).
mcgrath618 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 23, 2022 9:14 amBrightline and SEPTA barely move. Brightline goes nowhere right now. SEPTA runs their motors on rush hour only trains. its comparing Apples to peanuts.scratchyX1 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 23, 2022 9:10 am I ask again, Is brightline getting techs who actually know the gear, and amtrak getting contractors who had training classes?I think to others' points, Brightline never had another locomotive. Their techs and mechanics have only ever worked on SC-44s (at least, for Brightline). Amtrak has a little bit more of an eclectic mix of GE power that a whole generation of mechanics has been trained on (and now essentially has to unlearn).
The ACS-64s on SEPTA have held up beautifully.
ApproachMedium wrote: ↑Thu Jun 23, 2022 10:11 amBrightline runs about 8 or so trains 70 miles right now, hardly nowhere (though I understand your point) They will be running about 200 miles starting at the end of this year, so we'll see how the Chargers hold up.mcgrath618 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 23, 2022 9:14 amBrightline and SEPTA barely move. Brightline goes nowhere right now. SEPTA runs their motors on rush hour only trains. its comparing Apples to peanuts.scratchyX1 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 23, 2022 9:10 am I ask again, Is brightline getting techs who actually know the gear, and amtrak getting contractors who had training classes?I think to others' points, Brightline never had another locomotive. Their techs and mechanics have only ever worked on SC-44s (at least, for Brightline). Amtrak has a little bit more of an eclectic mix of GE power that a whole generation of mechanics has been trained on (and now essentially has to unlearn).
The ACS-64s on SEPTA have held up beautifully.
mcgrath618 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 23, 2022 10:37 amThe SEPTA Sprinter ran for a few months and was great itself, but as you noted, the concept wasn't well thought out. Other than the electrical issue on the Reading side of the system last year, I don't think there have been any substantive issues with them.ApproachMedium wrote: ↑Thu Jun 23, 2022 10:11 amBrightline runs about 8 or so trains 70 miles right now, hardly nowhere (though I understand your point) They will be running about 200 miles starting at the end of this year, so we'll see how the Chargers hold up.mcgrath618 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 23, 2022 9:14 amBrightline and SEPTA barely move. Brightline goes nowhere right now. SEPTA runs their motors on rush hour only trains. its comparing Apples to peanuts.scratchyX1 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 23, 2022 9:10 am I ask again, Is brightline getting techs who actually know the gear, and amtrak getting contractors who had training classes?I think to others' points, Brightline never had another locomotive. Their techs and mechanics have only ever worked on SC-44s (at least, for Brightline). Amtrak has a little bit more of an eclectic mix of GE power that a whole generation of mechanics has been trained on (and now essentially has to unlearn).
The ACS-64s on SEPTA have held up beautifully.
SEPTA had a Sprinter go around on an "all day" set for about a month a year or two ago. The issue was not with the Sprinter itself, more that the stations on SEPTA aren't far enough apart to enjoy the benefits of the locomotive. I believe the locomotive used was 903, and it performed admirably.
ApproachMedium wrote: ↑Thu Jun 23, 2022 10:09 am Amtraks techs arent the ones who are screwing stuff up. Its Siemens. Siemens will change some nonsense on the software. The siemens people work as contractors for amtrak, but its def siemens people.Heres and example I personally worked on a few months ago. ACS gets shopped for and oil leak by the main compressor. We find its a seal on a test fitting that has failed. You, me, uncle bob and aunt sally would say to just replace the fitting. NOPE! Siemens doesn't do that, instead were instructed to replace the whole compressor that itself was just installed late last year. Well off comes the pans and roof and a simple 10 minute replacement turns into a 3 day overhaul. Neither operationally efficient or cost effective IMO. I've got plenty more stories where Siemens wont replace a part, just replace that whole component at the cost of Amtrak
ApproachMedium wrote: ↑Thu Jun 23, 2022 10:11 amI can understand the frustration with the overall availability issues that are seen with the Amtrak Siemens equipment. Brightline has Siemens technicians on-site in West Palm Beach at their repair facility. I have been there recently to visit and talk to the shop people there.mcgrath618 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 23, 2022 9:14 amBrightline and SEPTA barely move. Brightline goes nowhere right now. SEPTA runs their motors on rush hour only trains. its comparing Apples to peanuts.scratchyX1 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 23, 2022 9:10 am I ask again, Is brightline getting techs who actually know the gear, and amtrak getting contractors who had training classes?I think to others' points, Brightline never had another locomotive. Their techs and mechanics have only ever worked on SC-44s (at least, for Brightline). Amtrak has a little bit more of an eclectic mix of GE power that a whole generation of mechanics has been trained on (and now essentially has to unlearn).
The ACS-64s on SEPTA have held up beautifully.