irate trainwatcher Wrote:
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> I wonder what that "federally mandated testing"
> entails? Will they be testing the PTC and
> analyzing the emissions or something else?
> When an airline orders a new 737 I bet they dont
> have to test it for 3 months. Sheesh, railroads
> have it hard sometimes.

Before a new airliner is deemed airworthy and acceptable for commercial flights, it goes through months if not years of testing and certification.

But the various navigation and communication systems on an airliner work world wide.

On the railroad, a new type of engine, especially for passenger service, must be thoroughly tested and certified on EACH different track system that it will operate on.

Just because a new type of engine will work will with all the communication and signaling systems in Chicago does not mean it will work with those in Southern California.

SHEEESH