Acela II (Alstom Avelia Liberty): Design, Production, Delivery, Acceptance

Would they need to be using Absolute Block until the FRA certifies it for mixed operation? That's one reason I would guess for using the Keystone line, probably much emptier so establishing absolute block wouldn't affect as much traffic.

Pensyfan19 wrote: ↑Fri May 29, 2020 2:55 pm Anyone know why the trainset is testing on the Keystone corridor instead of the NEC? Could it be possible that these trainsets could (eventually) be used for Keystone service?

Don't read into things too much ... Even the Acela I tested on the Keystone corridor before debut, and sometimes after being rejoined after their splitting and updating approx 10-15 years ago.

Here's is the best video I've seen of the Acela II operating on the Keystone Corridor:

https://youtu.be/vUVKtaH09z8

Gilbert B Norman wrote:(apparently Keystone Corridor in "latter day railfanese")

Mr. Norman,

I would note in fairness to Amtrak (the owner) that "Keystone Corridor" is their official designation of the line between Philadelphia and Harrisburg. I'm sure that the engineering department has a specific technical designation but as best I know "Keystone Corridor" is in fact the regular usage for anything beyond surveys, designs and plans.

I write this for the sake of the professionals, in particular those who post here, who might not want to be mistaken for amateurs.

Posted with my utmost respect and appreciation.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Pensyfan19 wrote:Could it be possible that these trainsets could (eventually) be used for Keystone service?

Not even remotely in the realm of consideration at this point in time. Even the "after 20 years" scenario probably isn't considered realistic.



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Here's the post as originally submitted:

Gilbert B Norman wrote: ↑Sat May 30, 2020 8:24 am Here's is the best video I've seen of the Acela II operating on the "Main Line" (apparently Keystone Corridor in "latter day railfanese")

https://youtu.be/vUVKtaH09z8

I have edited the post that Mr. O'Keefe rightly addressed in recognition that Keystone Corridor is an official term.

Perhaps if there was still such a publication called the System Timetable that would have been in the periphery of my Living Room chair, along with my Journal, Times, and a Road Atlas, I would not have made the error. But in an environment where terms such as SWC, CS, SL, LSL....., none of which are official Amtrakese, are thrown about, I hope I can be given latitude for this error on my part, just as Mr. O'Keefe has chosen to do.

gokeefe wrote: ↑Sat May 30, 2020 9:33 am

Gilbert B Norman wrote:(apparently Keystone Corridor in "latter day railfanese")

Mr. Norman,

I would note in fairness to Amtrak (the owner) that "Keystone Corridor" is their official designation of the line between Philadelphia and Harrisburg. I'm sure that the engineering department has a specific technical designation but as best I know "Keystone Corridor" is in fact the regular usage for anything beyond surveys, designs and plans.

I write this for the sake of the professionals, in particular those who post here, who might not want to be mistaken for amateurs.

Posted with my utmost respect and appreciation.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

It’s actually the Main Line Philadelphia to Harrisburg, or PH line for the sake of brevity. Keystone Corridor is a marketing term.

Gilbert B Norman wrote: ↑Sat May 30, 2020 8:24 am Here's is the best video I've seen of the Acela II operating on the Keystone Corridor:

https://youtu.be/vUVKtaH09z8

Note the paucity of windows in the food service car. It screams: "take your food back to your seat".

Any difference in running with the front pantograph up vs. the rear one?

There was a discussion on this. As I understood it, by using the rear unit primarily, if something goes wrong you can still raise the front, but if primary is the front, it might damage the line enough that the rear unit can't take over.

bostontrainguy wrote: ↑Sat May 30, 2020 1:57 pm Any difference in running with the front pantograph up vs. the rear one?

Negative, but rear pan up will be the norm, I suppose for the reasons listed in the post above mine. It also features a “de-ice” mode where both pans will be up, but the leading pan will not draw power so it can knock ice off the line without arcing.

I wonder what made them go with a two-tone Euro-style horn

Avelia Liberty heading to Ivy City for inspection and testing.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source= ... Vc8yhx2T9D

What's Ivy City?

Ivy City is the yard next to WUS,Has running repair shop and the High speed shop for the Acela fleet.
The yard is Just north of WUS,between the CSX and NEC mainlines.