by photobug56
Part of what we look forward to hearing is how those Superliners behaved and why. What can we learn from this. I know, could be a few years off.
Railroad Forums
Moderators: GirlOnTheTrain, mtuandrew, Tadman
justalurker66 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 06, 2021 2:08 am Center of gravity can be controlled by putting heavy things down low. The Superliners have heavy things above the wheel sets so I'd say that they are balanced well between being "top heavy" and keeping heavy things low. Single level cars put those heavy things between the wheels (close to the tracks) but that reduces passenger space on a two level car....I think I need to redesign a custom train design. Be right back...
Gilbert B Norman wrote: ↑Wed Oct 06, 2021 7:06 am Messrs. Lurker and Bug, your immediate comments lead me to hold that bi-level equipment is "done for" on Amtrak. Single level will be "the order of the day" systemwide.California Amtrak trains run a lot of bi-level equipment ("Surfliners"). At least one other state-supported train, Michigan's Pere Marquette, runs Superliners, according to what I see on the Bangor, Michigan live cam.
Gilbert B Norman wrote: ↑Wed Oct 06, 2021 7:06 am Messrs. Lurker and Bug, your immediate comments lead me to hold that bi-level equipment is "done for" on Amtrak. Single level will be "the order of the day" systemwide.Mr. Norman you do make a good point. If the NTSB comes out negatively about the Superliner design it would make it difficult to order new ones - though it may end up being more along the lines of adding escape routes such as hatch ways on the top and possibly seat belts could be in the future. While the cars overturned they physically held up pretty well so it might not be a totally scathing review but we’ll see.
lordsigma12345 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 07, 2021 6:43 amThis accident did inspire me to look at the Superliner design and how I was designing the train consist for my next novel. I wanted to preserve high and low level boarding, but I realized I needed to work on ADA accessibility through the train.Gilbert B Norman wrote: ↑Wed Oct 06, 2021 7:06 am Messrs. Lurker and Bug, your immediate comments lead me to hold that bi-level equipment is "done for" on Amtrak. Single level will be "the order of the day" systemwide.Mr. Norman you do make a good point. If the NTSB comes out negatively about the Superliner design it would make it difficult to order new ones - though it may end up being more along the lines of adding escape routes such as hatch ways on the top and possibly seat belts could be in the future. While the cars overturned they physically held up pretty well so it might not be a totally scathing review but we’ll see.
photobug56 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 07, 2021 11:49 am With ADA, high and low level platforms, and the need to maximize space, it's a complex problem. Only comparison I can think of - LIRR C3 bilevels, high level platform only, each end of the car has 'ADA' seating and may have a 'portable cesspool' room. All other passengers go UP or DOWN to one of the 2 levels.Well... for commuters, you can high-block ("mid-level") and have the wheelchair-bound on the ends (even with a Bombardier Multilevel). For LD service, you can get away with keeping them in the sleeper (and I think some coach has areas in the lower sections) while delivering food to them. But for my purposes, I couldn't really do that when it was highly likely for them to move about, get to know some of the writers/artists/musicians, and be creative... plus my original design had a lot of stairs.
Gilbert B Norman wrote: ↑Wed Oct 06, 2021 7:06 amMessrs. Lurker and Bug, your immediate comments lead me to hold that bi-level equipment is "done for" on Amtrak. Single level will be "the order of the day" systemwide.You are welcome to draw your own conclusion but you have drawn one that I absolutely do NOT agree with.