njtmnrrbuff wrote: ↑Thu Dec 16, 2021 9:13 pm
Those are not very good numbers of what's on the current roster. It sounds like NJT a couple of years ago. Once the 3rd track project and Eastside Access is completed, I really hope that there is enough equipment available to cover the extra trains.
I remember when the current diesel fleet was coming into service, and it was an open secret that LIRR had 1. ordered politician designed locos, 2. did not buy anywhere near enough cars and cab cars, 3. did not buy anywhere near enough DM's or locos in general.
I don't know what emission standards were then, for diesel locos, but I remember the black smoke from them from early on. And I can remember what it was always like going from 3rd rail power to diesel - hoping that the motor would start and stay running. Sitting in a car close to the front EB, waiting for the big, thick cloud of smoke and the rumble that told you that the motor had at least tried to start, sometimes hearing and seeing multiple attempts, sometimes waiting for 10 minutes on a dead train while they tried. And mornings, WB, hoping the 3rd rail system and inverters would work - on both ends of the train. When half your car had lights and AC, you could easily figure that one of the locos 'needed a reset'. All part of the adventure on the daily commute. Or, the old surprise change trains at Jamaica!
I'm curious - by the time I stopped commuting pre COVID, I'd never actually been up close to or inside an M9. Rumor has it there are a few trains in operation finally, so can anyone tell me if they have the same horrible seats as the M7's? (or the diesel coaches). Headrests that feel like they've been carved out of stone in the shame of a W? Horizontal part of seat tilted a bit down so you tend to slide off? Armrests with fake padding that is shaped to cause pain (and rip open your clothing)?
Before the C3's went into service, LIRR had a mockup and focus groups regarding interior design. Except for colors, LIRR heard what people said, and then did the exact opposite, and when early riders saw how bad those seats were, refused to fix the problems.