Acela150 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 13, 2019 7:59 pm"Faster" Engine swaps are not possible. You have to remember Blue Flag rules and laws apply, as well as the track layout in WUT. It doesn't really allow for an engine change to be performed in under 20-25 minutes tops.
From the Hitachi 802 thread:
east point wrote: ↑Sun Oct 13, 2019 6:38 pm
Loco changes at WASH are not usually the controlling metric for station dwell. Instead it is the movement of passenger to / from the main station waiting area. Each platform serves 2 tracks and the stairway /escalator is located at one end of the platform for trains of the south. As well VRE may be using the same platform causing major congestion. It has been noted that weekend trains average lesser dwell at VRE times.
"IF" the expansion of WASH Union station is ever complete that will 2 additional access point for each platform then passenger congestion may be reduced allowing quicker dwell times. Have noted that a few days ago that one LD train made a 12 minute turn at WASH. Now the conditions at NHV and Albany are unknown.
Bolding mine. I’m going to assume that 12 minute turnaround was done safely - hopefully Amtrak doesn’t prove me wrong.
Working in a career where safety is paramount, it is easy to throw up your hands and say, “we can’t do it faster.” No, that just means you don’t have the right tools, crew, or procedure for the job. Maybe Washington Union Station trackage needs to be rearranged a bit to allow multiple diesels to stage at the through tracks, or maybe Amtrak needs to dedicate more crew or training to the task.