Again, someone returns to revisit an issue discussed here months ago. The solutions and problems expressed in the earlier thread are just as valid now as it was back then.
The existing Auto Train length can not be increased because of basic physics. Speed is expressed in terms like miles per hour, kilometers per hour, etc. Distance and time and speed are always related.
The Auto Train schedule shows a distance of 855 rail miles taking 17.5 hours to complete.
The schedule is set in stone; oversize vehicles must report by 2 pm, standard vehicles must report by 3 pm, the train departs at 4 pm, and the train arrives at 9:30 am. Then it can take a few hours to alight the train, 10:30 to 11:30. A few hours to restock and perform maintenance on the train is available before the return process begins anew at 2 pm. There is not a third train as backup at either station. It often takes days for a single late train to get back on the published schedule.
The train averages 48.8 mph. To extend the train to Baltimore adds about 85 miles to the distance. To extend the train to Philadelphia adds about 180 miles to the distance. At 50 mph, just to keep the math easier, to go the 85 miles to Baltimore the train needs an extra 1.7 hours, to go the 180 miles to Philadelphia, the train needs an extra 3.6 hours.
To keep to the same schedule, 4 pm departure and a 9:30 am arrival, the trains would have to average 53.7 mph to Baltimore, and 59.1 mph to Philadelphia.
Math follows: 940/17.5 = 53.7, 1035/17.5 = 59.1
As is, the Auto Train is Amtrak's fastest train running on long distance mostly single track rails, mainly because it is a non-stop train. How are you going to make it 5 or 10 mph faster on average on tracks owned mostly by CSX? That's the biggest gorilla you have to overcome - please explain how you will accomplish that!
The existing Auto Train length can not be increased because of basic physics. Speed is expressed in terms like miles per hour, kilometers per hour, etc. Distance and time and speed are always related.
The Auto Train schedule shows a distance of 855 rail miles taking 17.5 hours to complete.
The schedule is set in stone; oversize vehicles must report by 2 pm, standard vehicles must report by 3 pm, the train departs at 4 pm, and the train arrives at 9:30 am. Then it can take a few hours to alight the train, 10:30 to 11:30. A few hours to restock and perform maintenance on the train is available before the return process begins anew at 2 pm. There is not a third train as backup at either station. It often takes days for a single late train to get back on the published schedule.
The train averages 48.8 mph. To extend the train to Baltimore adds about 85 miles to the distance. To extend the train to Philadelphia adds about 180 miles to the distance. At 50 mph, just to keep the math easier, to go the 85 miles to Baltimore the train needs an extra 1.7 hours, to go the 180 miles to Philadelphia, the train needs an extra 3.6 hours.
To keep to the same schedule, 4 pm departure and a 9:30 am arrival, the trains would have to average 53.7 mph to Baltimore, and 59.1 mph to Philadelphia.
Math follows: 940/17.5 = 53.7, 1035/17.5 = 59.1
As is, the Auto Train is Amtrak's fastest train running on long distance mostly single track rails, mainly because it is a non-stop train. How are you going to make it 5 or 10 mph faster on average on tracks owned mostly by CSX? That's the biggest gorilla you have to overcome - please explain how you will accomplish that!
