Folks here seem to forget "the grand scheme of things" going on now. Just a reminder:
- Day-trip trains (Pennsy, Piedmont, Carolinian) are being replaced with the Airo ICTs.
- Empire Service is being replaced with Airo ICTs.
- Regional service that extends into diesel-only CSX held territory is being replaced with Airo ICTs.
- Keystone service is being replaced with Airo ICTs (although why they chose diesel-with-electric-assist engines is beyond me).
You're not running remodeled Acela I's on those lines or in CSX territory, and CSX basically demands pocket tracks for high platforms. They're already claimed.
Remember, CSX owns the track south of WAS!
That leaves 14+ exclusive under-the-caternary runs of the Regional that still run ACS-64's and Amfleets... and if any expanded service is to take place on the other lines.
So? Turn the Acela I's into fully functional, able to be maintained for cheaper ICTs to replace the Regional Amfleet runs.
Red Wing wrote:
Back Bay on the NEC is all high level. The only Amtrak route that has low level at Back Bay is the Lake Shore Limited. Adding high levels in Washington, do you want Amtrak to pay for new cars for VRE since their cars are low level boarding and I'm sure the RF&P is a high and wide route so now we are talking some type of freight bypass.
LSL's are using Viewliner equipment, keeping low level for Back Bay is a wash. Washington's terminal section could use all high-level because MARC (it has to call in advance to get a high-block if anyone is in a wheelchair). You're stuck with low-level boarding in the through-pass section, because CSX (which affects VRE)... but that's getting off-topic.
Limit the scope here to inside NEC's electrified section. Unless all the Regionals are getting Airo ICT's (and I haven't seen any word that they are from official documentation)...