Possible end of 125 mph operation on Penn Line due to non-vital implementation of I-ETMS?

From MARC's latest PTC annual report:

2) Due to I-ETMS not being approved as a vital system, MARC is forced to reduce the speed of the current 125 mph service to 90 mph when IETMS goes active on the NEC.

https://www.regulations.gov/document?D= ... -0038-0040

It seems that MARC has equipped all its diesel engines with on-board substems of I-ETMS, the freight PTC, hoping the NS-funded installation of I-ETMS overlay on Amtrak's PW line would power its own service. But the I-ETMS overlay turns out to be a non-vital (and possibly cheaper?) overlay on the existing track circuit/ACSES II system, so that any trains relying on the system may not run above 90 mph by law after the PTC deadline.

The 6 HHPs owned by MARC, on the other hand, have been equipped with ACESE II on-board systems under an agreement with Amtrak. But what is ironic is that all MARC cab cars are I-ETMS only. Given that MARC runs push-pull trains with these cab cars, I don't think there will be a way to operate Penn Line service over 90 mph once they run under the supervision of I-ETMS.

Any thoughts?

From the report:

Name of Railroad or Entity Subject to 49 U.S.C. § 20157(a): Maryland Area Regional Commuter
Railroad Code: MACZ
Annual PTC Implementation Progress Report for: 2018
PTCIP Version Number on File with FRA (basis for goals stated): 1.8
Date of Submission: 3/29/2019

From the site:

Date Posted: Apr 10, 2019

Old document. Where's the 2019 report?

STrRedWolf wrote: ↑Mon Apr 13, 2020 12:36 pm From the report:

Name of Railroad or Entity Subject to 49 U.S.C. § 20157(a): Maryland Area Regional Commuter
Railroad Code: MACZ
Annual PTC Implementation Progress Report for: 2018
PTCIP Version Number on File with FRA (basis for goals stated): 1.8
Date of Submission: 3/29/2019

From the site:

Date Posted: Apr 10, 2019

Old document. Where's the 2019 report?

https://www.regulations.gov/document?D= ... -0038-0046
The issue is not mentioned anywhere, but it seems that they still decide to operate with I-ETMS on NEC.

2019 report says....

MARC Penn Line - 75.2 route miles - I-ETMS (MARC diesel locomotives and cab cars) and ACSES-II (MARC electric locomotives) - MARC trains
with ACSES-II are operating with PTC; I-ETMS is not yet operational for MARC trains, and the host railroad has received an Alternative
Schedule for I-ETMS implementation. MARC is actively coordinating I-ETMS implementation with the host railroad.

MARC completed interoperability testing with its host railroads and continued operations of I-ETMS on 2/3 lines and ACSES on its third line,
with I-ETMS testing underway for the third line.

MARC is ready to begin Revenue Service Demonstration (RSD) for its trains to operate I-ETMS on the Northeast Corridor, but the COVID-19
coronavirus pandemic has delayed start of RSD and schedule is unknown at this time.

I think there's no issue with I-ETMS on the NEC.

Red,ACSES is used on the NEC,I-ETMS is used on CSX
MARC needs both to be compliant.

Seems like the MARC diesels are only good to 99 mph!

Backshophoss wrote: ↑Tue Apr 14, 2020 7:35 pm Red,ACSES is used on the NEC,I-ETMS is used on CSX
MARC needs both to be compliant.

Seems like the MARC diesels are only good to 99 mph!

From the 2019 filing, I-ETMS is good to on CSX, and being worked on in time for the NEC with a different timeline that's been filed. ACSES is good to go. Add on top of that that MARC barely goes over 100 in local service, I don't see the problem -- they'll run diesels in local and HHP-8's express service, and tweak the schedule and consists as appropriate.

Marc trains will be governed by I-ETMS and max speed will be 110mph "C" speeds.

Has a MARC train ever reached 125 MPH?
Andy

I've clocked it near 100, so it's not out of the possiblity.