Well, MTA pushed up an update and tooted their own horn.
First: Engine 82 on the test-haul.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BheFW_jnDEu/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Second:
https://mta.maryland.gov/content/penn-l ... e-april-23" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
What else is being done to address Penn Line On-Time performance?
We will be introducing several of our eight new Siemens SC-44 Charger locomotives into Penn Line service in the very near future. Revenue testing of the Chargers started April 5th on the Camden Line and the first revenue test will occur on the Penn Line during the week of April 16. During revenue testing, a Charger is paired with one of our current MP-36 locomotives for redundancy and testing/calibration purposes. Chargers will be prioritized for assignment to seven and eight car rush hour trains – especially those operating north of Baltimore -- as they are released for solo revenue service. The higher horsepower and higher maximum speed of the Chargers will help with on time performance and reduce occurrences of MARC trains having to stop and wait for Amtrak trains to pass. Until all Chargers are fully deployed, there will be days when Perryville trains operate with one of our current locomotives and that may result in delays.
So my thinking is that once all the Chargers are fully solo, the MP-36's get put on Camden/Brunswick only duty, where the speed is tops 79 MPH.