Acela uses both power cars for traction?

[aegrotatio]

Does the Acela use both power cars for traction? I recently noticed a message board posting (not here) that claimed that one car was for HEP and the other for traction. I thought it was more logical to have both for traction and one for HEP.

We all know the Acela is somewhat over-powered for the consist, but not so over-powered that only one power car is used for traction, correct?

[oltmannd]

aegrotatio

We all know the Acela is somewhat over-powered for the consist, but not so over-powered that only one power car is used for traction, correct?

Yep

[daveklepper]

Both are used for traction although one can operate the train at somewhat reduced performance.   Both are used for HEP witih the division in the center of the train.  Again, however, one can handle the load if necessary.

[aegrotatio]

Interesting, the division is at the center? Operationally, is that is easier than running the whole consist on the same HEP?

[Champlain Division]

When I rode the Acela in Summer 2001 from Boston to New Haven and back on the return trip I sat in the last car.  It felt very much like the rear unit was being used as the dynamic braking unit.  Every time the train slowed down it felt like it had just deployed a drag chute.  I could feel the tug and what little slack there is run out.

Rick Shivik

Conyers, GA

[daveklepper]

If it provided dynamic brakiing, it also provided propulsion.

[BaltACD]

daveklepper

If it provided dynamic brakiing, it also provided propulsion.

I would expect that Acela has the ability to configure the power cars to be either power, dynamic brake or both at the operators desires.  I would expect that he could have it set so that the lead power car is for power and the rear power car is for dynamic braking - with this configureation the slack will always be streached throughout the train thus providing a smother ride for the passengers.

[daveklepper]

Nope.   Normal operation is both for  both.   Emergency operation is one for both but  NOT one for one and the other for the other.  A change to that would require some reconnection of internal cables.

[aegrotatio]

This idea that I posted in the OP might be supported by the idea/theory/rumor/speculation that because the FRA required two power cars (no push-pull operation allowed) and due to the time/cost to turn the train so "therefore" almost double the HP required for Acela.

[oltmannd]

BaltACD

daveklepper

If it provided dynamic brakiing, it also provided propulsion.

I would expect that Acela has the ability to configure the power cars to be either power, dynamic brake or both at the operators desires.  I would expect that he could have it set so that the lead power car is for power and the rear power car is for dynamic braking - with this configureation the slack will always be streached throughout the train thus providing a smother ride for the passengers.

I'd suspect the operator has no control over the blended braking system at all.  That is, he just moves the lever and the train figures out what to do.  

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

One of the reasons that the Acela is relatively overpowered is that the power cars were designed for high performance with longer consists, probably 10-12 cars.