R36 Combine Coach wrote:Perhaps buying SEPTA's AEM7s? If they do choose to scrap push-pull with 100% SIlverliners
The SEPTA AEM-7's have more reliability issues than Amtrak's do now. They have been accounting for more breakdowns each month than even the older Budd Silverliner II's over the last couple of years. Bear in mind that SEPTA has never overhauled their units since purchased in 1987. MARC won't touch them with a pantograph pole!
For MARC to go all-electric, all the time, on the Penn Line, of course means having to set up more dedicated equipment cycles and more money to pay to Amtrak for use of the wire. As it is now, the midday runs are mostly Camden and Brunswick Line diesel sets, and it seems those trains are more than enough, capacity-wise for the service provided. It all comes down to the almighty $$$ and apparently, Maryland DOT finds diesel fuel still cheaper...