by STrRedWolf
west point wrote: ↑Wed Jun 09, 2021 11:30 pmI think it's more of an operational and cost standpoint. If I remember correctly, Amtrak is always pull operation, and turning anything but an Acela is a requirement. So to take out the sleepers at WAS, you have to turn that equipment around (swap ends)... which is a trip through Ivy City Couch Yard's wye. That ties up an engine, and I doubt a regular pusher will do. That's power cost, crew cost...Gilbert B Norman wrote: ↑Wed Jun 09, 2021 11:30 amThat is a puzzle as the last figures heard was that operating a car costs $4.00 / mile ? 187 miles X 2 (RT) x $4.00 == $1496 - ~6 miles to / from Ivy city = $24. So net savings are ~ $1472. Another advantage is if that car is at WASH if a sleeper for MIA , New Orleans, or CHI is bad ordered there would be a replacement available. Now the times give Ivy City maintenance time to fix the bad order. Other possible ways would be to drop a single sleeper on an inbound to NYP.
Why the Sleeper cannot be added/cut with the engine at WAS escapes me.
Yes a regular cut off sleeper on the 3 sleeper trains is also a possibility. Maybe Amtrak does not have any parking space until VRE gets its own parking yard there ? a
Also, look at 65/67's scheduling. It hits at 6:30a/7a respectively. That's rush time Monday through Friday. To get off the line ASAP you gotta hold MARC and WAS-terminus trains, you got the VRE coming in... you don't have the time.
So why go through that pain when you can just leave the car on? It'll get turned at Newport News.