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Discussion related to commuter rail and transit operators in California past and present including Los Angeles Metrolink and Metro Subway and Light Rail, San Diego Coaster, Sprinter and MTS Trolley, Altamont Commuter Express (Stockton), Caltrain and MUNI (San Francisco), Sacramento RTD Light Rail, and others...

Moderator: lensovet

 #1375298  by Backshophoss
 
Unless Metrolink added a Comm MU line to the AC-44's,there's no interlock except on the F59 or MP36 units.
A conductor opening a door leaf on local panel control,will not trip the interlock.
Engineer looking back at the consist will look at the status lights on the car sides are green meaning doors are closed.
Conductor will tell the engineer "ok to go" via a portable radio.
 #1375726  by Tadman
 
So I spent some time at LAUPT yesterday. About 1/5 trains had the sooper-safety locomotive in place of the cab car. Too bad they're all in Great Northern orange rather than warbonnet red/silver, would be cool to see such regularly in/out of that station.
 #1376336  by Fan Railer
 
Here's a compiled list of 30 confirmed locomotives of the 40 total, with the asterisks indicating locomotives spotted on property but not yet in service as of a few weeks ago:
5603*
5609*
5610
5613
5615*
5616*
5617*
5619*
5620
5621
5622
5624
5626*
5627
5631*
5633
5635*
5640*
5641
5642
5644
5649
5650
5654*
5655
5658
5662*
5668
5696*
5704*
 #1382032  by Silverliner II
 
Fan Railer wrote:It's a reasonable reaction, considering the ScRotems were TOUTED to the moon and back again for having the most up to date, revolutionary crash energy management tech, but then basically fared no better than a regular cab car in their first accident. Its performance thus far in that type of situation has called into question the huge capital investment that was expended to procure them.
Unforseen defects, perhaps. Coupled with the possibility of a crash where physics played a role not accounted for?

It's just like one of the recent oil train derailments, involving the "stronger" tank cars (not the DOT 111's, but the CPC's that were touted as much more crash-resistant), some of which were breached and spilled oil or burned anyway. If a train hits anything that is big enough... or forces go in ways unforeseen by designers... it is going to derail. Even with a locomotive leading. There is always the possibility that had one of the BNSF's been leading the ill-fated train, the end results could possibly have remained the same.

But, do the "knee-jerk, make the public think we are doing something about" it response.... it pleases the sheep.
 #1382122  by Backshophoss
 
SL II,believe the "Mythbusters" proved if a tank car was hit and was dented,it could collaspe if a vacuum was
applied to the tank(due to the contents leaking out).
At the Oxnard wreck, the Rotem Cab car and the trailing BBD coach were on their sides,and somewhat crosswise to the track.
Suspect if a loco pilot plow had hit that F-350 truck and trailer,would have been pushed aside totaled out.
 #1382143  by jt42cwr
 
Here is the latest list, which consists of 39 locomotives spotted on the property, of which 25(*) have already seen service: -

5603
5609
5610*
5613*
5615
5616
5617
5619*
5620*
5621*
5622*
5624*
5626*
5627*
5628
5629*
5631
5633*
5634*
5635
5636
5638
5640
5641*
5642*
5643*
5644*
5647*
5648*
5649*
5650*
5654
5655*
5656*
5658*
5662
5668*
5696*
5704
 #1382146  by Silverliner II
 
Backshophoss wrote:At the Oxnard wreck, the Rotem Cab car and the trailing BBD coach were on their sides,and somewhat crosswise to the track. Suspect if a loco pilot plow had hit that F-350 truck and trailer,would have been pushed aside totaled out.
Most would say most likely, as long as nothing unexpected got jammed up underneath it in the process to put a wrinkle in things. I hope we never have to find out, that's for sure.
 #1382815  by kaitoku
 
In October, Metrolink officials signed an $18-million-a-year lease with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Co. for 40 freight engines. They hoped to put the locomotives into operation within weeks of their delivery.

Since then, most of the powerful freight engines have sat idle in Metrolink yards at a cost of $500 each per day, and many passengers still ride in the Hyundai cab cars.

"Safety concerns shaped the Burlington Northern Santa Fe locomotive lease," said Art Leahy, the commuter line's chief executive. "But implementation has been difficult. Safety has been increased but not as much as expected."
http://www.latimes.com/local/california ... story.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 #1383260  by Silverliner II
 
And through all of this, not a peep on repairing the flaws that were found with the cab cars.... or how long those repairs will take....