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Re: More Talgo equipment at CEECO for painting?
Author: George Andrews
Date: 09-06-2007 - 11:18
I have a well-placed source in Amtrak's mechanical dept. who offered information on the Talgos.
1) The Talgo trainset residing @ CEECO was sent there for wreck repairs ( Portland station sideswipe ) & repainting. Amtrak either spec'ed the wrong paint, or CEECO used the wrong paint. Amtrak would not sign off on the repaint, so there it sat. (This trainset was respotted in the paint tube last week of August. )
2) The other Talgo trainsets are to be cycled thru the CEECO paint tube under terms of the contract with WSDOT.(This could become an example of putting whipped cream on dog crap, as noted below.)
3) The cracks in the upper suspension arm are a SERIOUS matter, & may not be resolved soon. A complete reworking of the piece may be in order. This arm spans the articulation joint along the roofline between each car, and is an essential part of the Talgo system. No quick welding job here.
Recall that Amtrak had to jump through several FRA hoops to receive certification for the Talgos, and received a crash-standards waivier that may now be revoked.
4) Now the good news: we foamers now have some variety in the viewfinder, and REAL passenger cars to ride. ( Many old-time foamers would not consider Amfleet & Horizon cars to be honest passenger cars, but I think they're a damn sight better than having your butt 6 inches off the rail & only seeing the underside of the trains you pass.) Big windows not withstanding, the Talgo is not a good railfanning platform. Also consider the small seating capacity vs. Amfleet or the Superliners now used on the Vancouver run.
1) The Talgo trainset residing @ CEECO was sent there for wreck repairs ( Portland station sideswipe ) & repainting. Amtrak either spec'ed the wrong paint, or CEECO used the wrong paint. Amtrak would not sign off on the repaint, so there it sat. (This trainset was respotted in the paint tube last week of August. )
2) The other Talgo trainsets are to be cycled thru the CEECO paint tube under terms of the contract with WSDOT.(This could become an example of putting whipped cream on dog crap, as noted below.)
3) The cracks in the upper suspension arm are a SERIOUS matter, & may not be resolved soon. A complete reworking of the piece may be in order. This arm spans the articulation joint along the roofline between each car, and is an essential part of the Talgo system. No quick welding job here.
Recall that Amtrak had to jump through several FRA hoops to receive certification for the Talgos, and received a crash-standards waivier that may now be revoked.
4) Now the good news: we foamers now have some variety in the viewfinder, and REAL passenger cars to ride. ( Many old-time foamers would not consider Amfleet & Horizon cars to be honest passenger cars, but I think they're a damn sight better than having your butt 6 inches off the rail & only seeing the underside of the trains you pass.) Big windows not withstanding, the Talgo is not a good railfanning platform. Also consider the small seating capacity vs. Amfleet or the Superliners now used on the Vancouver run.
