by Noel Weaver
Frank wrote:Lets just say that CSX would approve of electrification of the routeJohn_Perkowski wrote:Amtrak, outside the NEC, represents 1 movement/direction/day on many of these lines.The Empire Corridor runs more than 1 train a day in each direction and could easily benefit from electrification (atleast from New York to Albany).
between Poughkeepsie and Albany/Rensselaer, which in my opinion they
absolutely will not, the cost would still be prohibitive for the 12 or so trains
each way. Diesels do a more than adequate job on this line and can run
through on at least a good share of the trains that go past Albany.
Outside of the presently electrified trackage in the north east, the only way that I could see any additional use of electric locomotives would be if
one or more of the major freight railroads were to electrify one or more
of their major main lines that Amtrak is already operating over. In the
very unlikely event that this were to happen some time in the future, then
and only then might Amtrak acquire additional electric locomotives to
operate their one a day train over such a line.
I know the cost of fuel has gone up dramatically over the past months and
years but today's diesels are likely the best ever designed and built and
the most fuel effcient as well. I think the freight railroads are probably
generally satisfied with the performance of their modern diesel locomotive
fleets.
Noel Weaver