Transportation Planner Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> For what it's worth, ACE worked with Siemens to
> prove the Charger could pull 10 bi-level coaches
> over the Altamont Pass (lower sustained grades on
> the ex-WP Oakland Sub, I know) and it made the
> schedule.
>
> Wonder what a push-pull configuration with two
> Chargers Brightline style could handle.
>
> On another topic, SJRRC is designing the Stockton
> Diamond Grade Separation to have 1% grades from
> thr south to conform to the UPRR yard leads and 2%
> from the north to maintain vertical clearance
> under the SR 4 viaduct.

The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of a Charger at one end and an old F59 or F40, full of batteries using the FlxDrive setup, at the other. Hybrid train without the expense and complication and other limitations of a hybrid locomotive, enough power to maintain speed on short climbs, self-charging from regen or plug in at terminals.