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New Amtrak equipment order observations
Author: Joe Cullum
Date: 11-25-2021 - 14:46
After some railfan inquired new details from Siemens and Amtrak on this video:
[youtu.be]
This comes to mind:
1. Why doesn't AMTK ask Siemens for a uniform ALC-42 style cab for ALL equipment now on. The SC44 style cab looks chopped, cheap and dated... VIA Rail and Brightline's have good anesthetics as well...
2. Speaking of aesthetics and not only design. Looking into the future: Amtrak in terms of single level equipment: no longer have no Bombardier Horizons, Budd Amfleets and very probably some minimum heritage equipment left. So hopefully Amtrak will consider contracting Viewliner 2 Cafe lounges and coaches for long distance trains for fleet uniformity and efficient fleet maintenance practices for trains such as the Lake Shore Limited, Crescent, Cardinal and Silver Service trains. Did I left one single level long distance train out?
3. Maybe the SC-44 replacement ALC42E's can also have third rail as more flexibility?
4. Amtrak should consider giving better tariffs so MBTA and MARC would be prospects to buy the ALC-42's...
5. What will happen to the relatively new Talgo 8's currently in service on the Cascades and the Wisconsin Talgos that never saw service? I smell a rat.
6. Will Bombardier Horizons be retired before the Amfleet 1's? I see a surplus of Amfleet 1's once some Venture cars enter service.
7. What's the deal of lead with the plumbing on water lines on the IDOT amtrak Midwest venture cars? When will that get fixed?
8. It's pretty nice to see Amtrak achieving an upgraded and uniform fleet in terms of parts and maintenance, they should become more efficient. Something they haven't have the opportunity to achieve due to multiple manufacturers.
9. I'd like to see Alstom build Superliner 3's and Viewliner 2 coaches and café lounges. Just so Siemens doesn't become a monopoly for Amtrak.
Exeter Joe
[youtu.be]
This comes to mind:
1. Why doesn't AMTK ask Siemens for a uniform ALC-42 style cab for ALL equipment now on. The SC44 style cab looks chopped, cheap and dated... VIA Rail and Brightline's have good anesthetics as well...
2. Speaking of aesthetics and not only design. Looking into the future: Amtrak in terms of single level equipment: no longer have no Bombardier Horizons, Budd Amfleets and very probably some minimum heritage equipment left. So hopefully Amtrak will consider contracting Viewliner 2 Cafe lounges and coaches for long distance trains for fleet uniformity and efficient fleet maintenance practices for trains such as the Lake Shore Limited, Crescent, Cardinal and Silver Service trains. Did I left one single level long distance train out?
3. Maybe the SC-44 replacement ALC42E's can also have third rail as more flexibility?
4. Amtrak should consider giving better tariffs so MBTA and MARC would be prospects to buy the ALC-42's...
5. What will happen to the relatively new Talgo 8's currently in service on the Cascades and the Wisconsin Talgos that never saw service? I smell a rat.
6. Will Bombardier Horizons be retired before the Amfleet 1's? I see a surplus of Amfleet 1's once some Venture cars enter service.
7. What's the deal of lead with the plumbing on water lines on the IDOT amtrak Midwest venture cars? When will that get fixed?
8. It's pretty nice to see Amtrak achieving an upgraded and uniform fleet in terms of parts and maintenance, they should become more efficient. Something they haven't have the opportunity to achieve due to multiple manufacturers.
9. I'd like to see Alstom build Superliner 3's and Viewliner 2 coaches and café lounges. Just so Siemens doesn't become a monopoly for Amtrak.
Exeter Joe
New Amtrak equipment order observations