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Gilbert B Norman wrote:Corner bet: on Jan 1, 2031, there will be an Amfleet I running somewhere in Amtrak revenue service.
eolesen wrote:I'll make a parley - not only will some be in Amtraks roster, but some will be in commuter service as well somewhere in the US...
Anthony wrote:Given how well they've held up over the years, Amtrak should hold onto at least 200 of the Amfleet I's as surge capacity fleet, and for route expansions in the east. Such expansions I would like to see include a daily Cardinal, a revived Broadway Limited via it's original PRR route across Ohio and Indiana, a revived Three Rivers on it's original B&O route parallel to the Broadway Limited. A Pennsylvanian extension to Chicago via Cleveland, Toledo, and Detroit, an IND - KCY section of a daily Cardinal, and a DFW section of the Crescent.Now you're getting the idea. With all the grandiose plans for more corridor service, you're going to need equipment for it. With the Venture trainsets and ALC-42E, you free up connecting diesel engines: 2 off the Pennsy, Adirondack, Ethan Allen Express, Maple Leaf, and Vermonter each, and another 6 off the Empire Service. That's 16 engines. Add in, what, how many Amfleet I/II's being replaced? And you got a decent corridor service.
realtype wrote: ↑Fri Nov 12, 2021 2:47 pm- I understand using the ALC-42E dual modes to eliminate the engine switch at WAS for trains traveling beyond the NEC to the South and New England, but don't see the logic at all in retiring the ACS-64 for the many NEC-only NE Regional and Keystone trips.yup
Amtrak would have to convince NC to fund it, so I guess they are assuming NC would want to, or they jack up the maintenance costs to force them
- ...Piedmont...Also since the state of NC owns the current equipment are they funding the replacements?
- How realistic is MBTA electrification?It could possibly happen in a reasonable timeframe for the NEC and/or Fairmont Line; As discussed in other threads, would require substation expansions, wiring station tracks, new MBTA service facility on the south-side, new MBTA train storage, negotiation with Amtrak on cost to use their catenary
Also, like Caltrain, it looks like they want to convert to an "S-Bahn" type regional rail model and would prefer EMUs.They've said stuff like that but it doesn't make much sense. Unless they plan to use better technology to couple/decouple trains/do brake tests they are better off sticking with push-pull
- I think the Amfleets will end up scrapped immediately upon retirement.Are they metal fatigued? Should refurbish & use in commuter service until the metal starts to crack and the wheels fall off. The MBTA and WMATA have experience with wheel problems
so they should be able to handle it realtype wrote: ↑Fri Nov 12, 2021 2:47 pm- I understand using the ALC-42E dual modes to eliminate the engine switch at WAS for trains traveling beyond the NEC to the South and New England, but don't see the logic at all in retiring the ACS-64 for the many NEC-only NE Regional and Keystone trips.Amtrak wants as many new locomotives they can convince the Biden administration to buy while the checkbooks are open. That means buying more ALC-42E locomotives as possible, and so Biden will be able to state he is buying them an entirely new fleet of rolling stock. I agree, they really do not need to replace as many ACS-64s as they will be, but that is not what the Biden administration wishes to publicize.
Gilbert B Norman wrote: ↑Fri Nov 12, 2021 5:20 pm Corner bet: on Jan 1, 2031, there will be an Amfleet I running somewhere in Amtrak revenue service.Maybe as a special maintenance of way car, business car, or axle count cars, but I doubt they will be in "revenue" service under Amtrak?
Don't expect to be around to either collect or pay up.
electricron wrote:So the venture cars will be an almost one for one replacement of current fleet, plus options for the Amfleet IIs. Where’s the equipment for the new Amtrak Connect corridors?Gilbert B Norman wrote: ↑Fri Nov 12, 2021 5:20 pm Corner bet: on Jan 1, 2031, there will be an Amfleet I running somewhere in Amtrak revenue service.Maybe as a special maintenance of way car, business car, or axle count cars, but I doubt they will be in "revenue" service under Amtrak?
Don't expect to be around to either collect or pay up.
Amfleet 1 cars in service today = 456
Amfleet 2 cars in service today = 138
Horizon cars in service today = 81
Subtotal of vintage Amfleet and Horizon cars = 675 cars
Venture cars available for service by 2031 ( as projected) = 137 (Midwest and California) + 552 (new) = 689 cars
And there are options for another 130 more trainsets with between 5 and 9 cars in length.
I'm pretty sure a few of these optional trainsets could be used to replace the Amfleet 2 cars in the future.
IMHO, Amtrak is not going to need any used Amfleet 1 cars at all in 2031, short of a major delay in building Venture cars by Siemens.
John_Perkowski wrote: ↑Fri Nov 12, 2021 8:27 pm If Amtrak wants to store 200 cars, then they need to lease or buy covered storage trackage in California or Arizona, where there will be less deterioration due to wet and cold weather.Colonel, why is it then that CRAF aircraft can "snooze under the stars" without hangars. If they can be adequately secured, why would stored indefinitely retired Amtrak equipment be any different?
