justalurker66 wrote:I know this is a little off topic, but do the C cars have engines? Or are they just trailers? I figure they don't have cabs.dowlingm wrote:Metrolinx will be adding centre cars but I guess they wanted to get testing started without waiting for those.It looks like the "C" cars were ordered a few months later. It is good to see that they are interoperable and do not need to be between other cars.
Railroad Forums
Rock Island DMU Evaluation
- Discussion related to commuter rail and rapid transit operations in the Chicago area including the South Shore Line, Metra Rail, and Chicago Transit Authority.
The C cars do have an engine. They also will have a small cab on one half of the car- think CTA cars.
TrainManUPRR wrote:The C cars do have an engine. They also will have a small cab on one half of the car- think CTA cars.Correct! I was trying to find a good reference but the best I could find was a SMART document from October 2010 ("SMART DMU Vehicle Procurement
Recommendation for Award of Contract to Sumitomo Corporation of America" - apparently no longer on their website). The end of the document had diagrams showing 79 passenger "A" and "B" cars ("A" with restroom, "B" cars with service bar) and 83 passenger "C" cars with a cab similar to the South Shore single level cars but with no side doors.
The Toronto UPE cars are only 60 passenger (more luggage space) and only "A" and "C".
well, that didn't last long - 1002 pictured heading through Brantford, Ontario en route to Toronto: http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=15999" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
RTA proposed using DMUs on the STAR line, although between funding and CN's likely objections, it is most likely wishful thinking. I didn't see anyone mention the proposed South East line, but RTA concepts for that also suggested the possibility of using DMUs. However, that line is also of questionable need, but probably more likely to happen than the STAR line.
Nippon-Sharyo has its own test track in Rochelle and personnel that shake down every car before it gets delivered.
Nippon-Sharyo has its own test track in Rochelle and personnel that shake down every car before it gets delivered.
Milwaukee_F40C wrote:Nippon-Sharyo has its own test track in Rochelle and personnel that shake down every car before it gets delivered.3500ft? It must have been nice to get the Toronto vehicles up to speed on the RI track without immediately needing to stop.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcBxWLAm3bU" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Well, most of the important testing is probably stationary. Like checking brake travel and circuit functions.
Milwaukee_F40C wrote:Well, most of the important testing is probably stationary. Like checking brake travel and circuit functions.I agree ... critical testing can be done on site. But it seems like one is only able to drive a car on the dealer's lot before shipping it 600 miles away to see what it really can do on the road. Getting it out on the RI allowed Nippon to get a little road testing in that isn't available on a short track. And if something goes wrong 80 miles back to the factory is not a long trip.
Has Sonoma received any of their DMUs?
Well something id go wrong. One died 
Way to go UP boy!!!!! SES BTW is closer to a reality than the STAR line ever will be. Its Route will cause some issues with capacity at Lasalle and 47th street ( if we get the Southwest coming over as well) so who knows how or when that will all happen.
Way to go UP boy!!!!! SES BTW is closer to a reality than the STAR line ever will be. Its Route will cause some issues with capacity at Lasalle and 47th street ( if we get the Southwest coming over as well) so who knows how or when that will all happen.I've been everywhere!
Thunder: can you be more specific about what happened with the DMU?
Worth noting - I drove past the plant last weekend and there's another DMU set parked out back with a blue tarp/wrap around it.
The new Acela: It's not Aveliable.
Have to ask the UP Trainman he broke it. I think it was a software issue. Cant recall which one didnt want to run when we sent them to the harbor.
he broke it. I think it was a software issue. Cant recall which one didnt want to run when we sent them to the harbor.I've been everywhere!
dowlingm wrote:Thunder: can you be more specific about what happened with the DMU?If I may be permitted, from the Amtrak Unlimited forum, a quote from user MetraUPWest regarding the DMU testing...
The UPE DMUs were impressive when they were working properly, but all 3 days the transmissions were giving us problems- not shifting into gear when moving from a stop, as well as dropping out of gear when moving. It's FAR too complicated of a system if you ask me.
That is correct. He got to play with them all weekend.
I've been everywhere!