FL9 F-10 Discussion: Metro-North / CtDOT / Amtrak

[DutchRailnut]

the FL-9's can not be used as single locomotives with Amfleets simply cause they no longer have third rail capability.
Amtrak is leasing 7 cab cars from MARC .

If Amtrak were really interested in FL-9's why did they not lease the two Main central units doing nothing in New Jersey ??

[dgvrengineer]

the FL-9's can not be used as single locomotives with Amfleets simply cause they no longer have third rail capability.
Amtrak is leasing 7 cab cars from MARC .

If Amtrak were really interested in FL-9's why did they not lease the two Main central units doing nothing in New Jersey ??

And they actually work!

[blockline4180]

the FL-9's can not be used as single locomotives with Amfleets simply cause they no longer have third rail capability.
Amtrak is leasing 7 cab cars from MARC .

If Amtrak were really interested in FL-9's why did they not lease the two Main central units doing nothing in New Jersey ??

Perhaps Morristown and Erie said no?? They sometimes use them for summer caboose trips, at least they have in the past.
Why don't you ask Noel Weaver personally why he is so sure that Amtrak really wants to use the FL9s??? He may privately divulge his source!!

[east point]

In our opinion it is important that Amtrak has alternate ways to get to New York City. It is too bad that alternate ways on other routes are not as available Thinking of the ability to use various CSX routes WASH <> NYP, SWC, NY <> CHI, CHI <> MSP, ETC. Know that there are already some such as the Eagle.

[Jeff Smith]

Why would the FL9 not be able to lead or trail as an end unit? I'm not sure why you'd need a P32 at all? It seems the P32 is the problem here; no nose door, no egress.

[bdawe]

So why didn't Amtrak & Metro North just order the same GCT-compatible locomotives back in the day? why bother with slightly different designs?

[DutchRailnut]

Amtrak wanted a toilet, and Metro North wanted a nose hatch .
Metro north did not want a toilet , Amtrak did not want a nose hatch .
these kind of things do need to be addressed in a combined order of next Dual mode, of which LIRR - Metro North - and Amtrak will all get the same.

[bdawe]

Perhaps some sort of modular toilet that can be installed and removed through a nose hatch

[Jeff Smith]

Word on street (aka Facebook): units are being shipped today. I believe the routing is the Springfield Line to the B&A line to Albany.

Or, per another member, it's a Mafersa swap for PTC installation.

Never mind.

[Tadman]

What is different safety-wise about the Metroliners versus other cab cars? I’ve seen a few opinions about them being relatively unsafe.

Educated guess: It's the floor plan. Your typical cab car has the engineer sitting in the vestibule, the metroliner has this little cabin in front of the vestibule that is much smaller. I have been told by an Amtrak engineer that it is absolutely tiny. Perhaps it feels harder to escape quickly in event of an accident.

With regard to overall safety of the Marc cab cars, South Shore runs them daily at 79mph over hundreds of crossings. With two tragic exceptions - the 1993 bridge crash and the 1998 steel truck crash - they have a very good record. This includes about five miles of street running.

[ConstanceR46]

the FL-9's can not be used as single locomotives with Amfleets simply cause they no longer have third rail capability.
Amtrak is leasing 7 cab cars from MARC .

If Amtrak were really interested in FL-9's why did they not lease the two Main central units doing nothing in New Jersey ??

because a. M&E may want those for caboose trips and b. i don't see the sheer amount of anger you have over the FL9s that were just sitting, stored, in NH.

[Backshophoss]

Believe M&E "bare footed" their 2 FL-9's before sending them to the Maine Eastern.
Also M&E is the "contract shop" for NJT,and may still be doing Sandy damage repairs for NJT .

[NH2060]

According to the photographer who took the drone shot of the new CDOT "CTrail" GP40-2H, two of the 6 FL-9s were moved indoors. Sounds like final prep work is being done for shipping them out to ALB.

[JamesRR]

What is different safety-wise about the Metroliners versus other cab cars? I’ve seen a few opinions about them being relatively unsafe.

Educated guess: It's the floor plan. Your typical cab car has the engineer sitting in the vestibule, the metroliner has this little cabin in front of the vestibule that is much smaller. I have been told by an Amtrak engineer that it is absolutely tiny. Perhaps it feels harder to escape quickly in event of an accident.

That's an interesting observation. The Metroliner cars did essentially have a fiberglass "extension" mounted to one end where the cab exists - how structurally strong were these? From images, it looks like the steel of the carboy extends under the fiberglass section. Either way, it's essentially a subway-type cab car going near 100 MPH - can't feel terrific for the engineer.

[Gilbert B Norman]

Lest we forget, there were Grade X-ings between Wilmington and Seabrook on the Corridor when the Metroliner was inaugurated during Jan 1969. Auth Speed was 110 - and there was the Engineer "up there in his little box".

"What, me worry?"

Oh but wait; that was almost fifty years ago, and "things a little bit different today".