Why dosent Amtrak run double decker Superliners on the NEC.

[Anonymous]

I know the tunnels in Baltimore, Md are a problem, along with the overhead 11,000V catenary wires. In Aberdeen, Md, we actually lowered a track to allow double-stacks to fit under a bridge. We run bi-level commuter cars (MARC trains), but, the lower level is really close to the ties.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

The clearances in the New York terminal area (Hudson River and East River Tunnels) are incredibly tight. In an article in TRAINS in 1967 (A Twist on Tuscan Red), a proposal for a low-level dome was shown. This design was basically a conventional coach with a glass roof since ordinary domes would not fit the tunnels.

[jchnhtfd]

plus a number of low clearances (tunnels, highway bridges). Would you believe instant convertibles?

[Supermicha]

The catenary might be high enough, the problem is like said before the height of the station platforms...

[MP57313]

QUOTE: Originally posted by RudyRockvilleMD

The reason the Superliners can't run on the Northeast Corridor is their entrances have steps down to the conventional low level platforms while most of the stations between Washington and New York have high level platforms.

And, as you mentioned earlier, they probably don't have enough of these cars to run up the NEC anyway. I did like riding the Superliners on the Cardinal a few years ago.

[Train Guy 3]

Out of curiosity how much of a hieght difference is there between a Superliner coach and an intermodal double-stack?

[RudyRockvilleMD]

Superliners can get through the Capitol Hill Tunnel. In fact, they were used on the Cardinal which enters Washington Union Station through the Capitol Hill Tunnel until last year when several derailments in a row forced Amtrak to pull them off the Cardinal, and reassign them to other trains. The reason the Superliners can't run on the Northeast Corridor is their entrances have steps down to the conventional low level platforms while most of the stations between Washington and New York have high level platforms.

[Anonymous]

Once in '95 Amtrak did run Superliners into 30th Street and nothing happened.

[BaltACD]

For the Southern route trains ....the height of the Superliners won't fit through the tunnel that is the Southern access of Washington Union Station.

In fact when CSX or NS has to provide an emergency locomotive to an Amtrak train...the engine can't be anything larger than a GP-40...modern power is too large to fit through the tunnel. I understand back in the PRR/CR era of service the E44 electrics were too large to fit throught the tunnel.

[Anonymous]

Superliners can not go in 30th St. Station in Philadelphia and Penn Station in New York

[Mikeygaw]

i believe it is both... i remember reading something a while ago about low-level bridges aswell along the NEC

[Randy Stahl]

High voltage Catenary, I think they tried it a few years ago and burned some holes in the roofs.
Randy

[Anonymous]

What are the height problems that cant allow trains such as the Crescent, Three Rivers, and Silver Meteor to run Superliners? Is it the tunnels in Baltimore and new york?