posted
The Washington Post reports on a significant, and potentially serious, delay to inaugurating the Acela II trains.
Fair Use:
Amtrak’s new Acela train cars need an extra round of testing to ensure they can safely operate in the curvy and aging tracks of the Northeast Corridor, railroad officials said, confirming a year-long delay in the delivery of the new trains.
A prototype train that began tests on the route between Washington and Boston last year was incompatible with the corridor’s track and its catenary system — the overhead wires that supply the train with electricity. The train had to be modified to work harmoniously with the infrastructure, according to Amtrak officials.
The first two of 28 Avelia Liberty high-speed train sets from the French manufacturer Alstom had been expected to enter service this spring. Amtrak now projects a spring 2022 debut, citing not only the train reconfiguration, but also delays caused by production and training interruptions during the coronavirus pandemic.
Looks like it's a "wait 'ill next year" situation.
Somehow, with the continued depression in business travel (even if some airlines are reporting a pickup), I don't think Amtrak is "missing 'em" all that much.
Just one more tale of how equipment makers "can't get it right" - or at least if their customer is Amtrak!!!
Wouldn't it be great if these foreign-owned rail equipment builders could "have what it takes" to be Budd and simply state "here is what we will deliver in this time frame, and here's what it will cost you. We don't know what a Change Order is. So if you want your cars, it's take it or leave it".
No wonder the Amfleets have been the most successful procurement Amtrak has enjoyed to date.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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posted
Just how long have the tracks on the former PRR and NH been “curvy and aging”? The more things change, etc. And it’s more than a bit dismaying to see the same language repeated in the media for three decades straight and longer, as if time has somehow stopped.
Posts: 566 | Registered: Mar 2002
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posted
This "curvy and aging" nonsense gets really old. Of course it has multiple curves. So do a lot of other railroad lines both here and abroad. If your trains have problems with curves you have a problem, not the railroad. As to aging, well duh. Everything is aging promptly from the moment is is built. The tracks are probably in the best condition they have ever been. As to the "infrastructure" meaning the bridges and other fixed facilities, again everything ages. There are plenty of railroad bridges in this country that are well into their second century of use. It is called maintenance. Yes, it would be nice for many of these structures to have major overhauls or be replaced, but there are many small things that can do a lot to extent life and improve conditions, but then maintenance is politically invisible. From a political perspective, let it fail then go around screaming the sky is falling and get big money to put in it and some politician take credit for the wonderful things he has managed to get done.
Posts: 2808 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
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