News this AM has the state of CA granting $82m to the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency (San Louis Obispo to San Diego) for among other things the lease of 31 Talgo cars. I assume in this group will be the 2 orphan Wi train sets, but where will the others come from? If all state money is used I guess buy America doesn't apply and they could be built off shore. Wonder how the lease period is?
Other news reports seem to indicate that these are the 2 Wi train sets, but 31 cars?
Quite possible, Talgo trainsets are articulated and the trainsets in Cascades service are twelve or thirteen cars each.
CSSHEGEWISCH Quite possible, Talgo trainsets are articulated and the trainsets in Cascades service are twelve or thirteen cars each.
i was focusing on the odd number, are the two sets not identical or is there a spare car?
The literature indicates that the WI trains were 14 cars, that leaves 3 unidentified.
If you're interested in getting into the weeds, the LOSSAN Business Plan makes interesting reading. Page 48 talks about potentially leasing the TALGO equipment.
http://www.octa.net/pdf/LOSSAN_Business_Plan_2016.pdf
081552 If you're interested in getting into the weeds, the LOSSAN Business Plan makes interesting reading. Page 48 talks about potentially leasing the TALGO equipment. http://www.octa.net/pdf/LOSSAN_Business_Plan_2016.pdf
Pretty brief mention but an interesting read, seems this is related to the NS fiasco.
BuslistNews this AM has the state of CA granting $82m to the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency (San Louis Obispo to San Diego) for among other things the lease of 31 Talgo cars.
Please show us the source of this 'news'. Recently the California Transportation Commission, from whence state funding flows, has reported a decrease in available funds.
Activated link: http://www.octa.net/pdf/LOSSAN_Business_Plan_2016.pdf
Links to my Google Maps ---> Sunset Route overview, SoCal metro, Yuma sub, Gila sub, SR east of Tucson, BNSF Northern Transcon and Southern Transcon *** Why you should support Ukraine! ***
Dragomanhttp://www.progressiverailroading.com/passenger_rail/news/California-panel-awards-390-million-in-transit-grants--49173?
or try this.
http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/news/n-america/single-view/view/california-transport-grants-announced.html
Maybe LOSSAN thought they should jump on the available Talgos before some other agency grabs them ?
These appear to be the 31 Wisconsin cars; two 14-car trainsets and 3 spares makes 31. Apparently as posted elsewhere Talgo must repay 30% of proceeds back to Wisconsin if they sell them, so I expect them to probably retain ownership indefintely.
Based on the above postings, I would suspect that Caltrans would lease the equipment from Talgo and sign a maintenance contract with Talgo.
CSSHEGEWISCH Based on the above postings, I would suspect that Caltrans would lease the equipment from Talgo and sign a maintenance contract with Talgo.
Yes the grant authorizes a 5 year lease. There were no details on the maintenance base or its location. I would guess the lease price includes the maintenance.
ORNHOOI seem to recall reading somewhere that Talgos "prefer" a particular type of switch (swing nose?)(because of their single axle trucks?) and are "unhappy" with other types. Is the coast line equipped with the "preferred" type of switch?
As to the switch frogs south of Eugene, I have no idea.
Johnny
The Lossan report indicates an immediate relief for the standing room only situation they are facing. The Talgos would help with that, while Lossan looks for available cars from other sources[quote user="blue streak 1"]
Deggesty ORNHOO I seem to recall reading somewhere that Talgos "prefer" a particular type of switch (swing nose?)(because of their single axle trucks?) and are "unhappy" with other types. Is the coast line equipped with the "preferred" type of switch? Yes, since a swing nose frog presents a gapless rail, the Talgo cars are happier than they are with ordinary frogs, which have a gap in each rail. As to the switch frogs south of Eugene, I have no idea.
ORNHOO I seem to recall reading somewhere that Talgos "prefer" a particular type of switch (swing nose?)(because of their single axle trucks?) and are "unhappy" with other types. Is the coast line equipped with the "preferred" type of switch?
Yes, since a swing nose frog presents a gapless rail, the Talgo cars are happier than they are with ordinary frogs, which have a gap in each rail.
Spring frogs provide the same continuous rail on the main line side without the expense of a second (or third on some configurations) switch machine. I have seen double spring frogs mostly in the east but these would require slow speed moves on both sides.
Now that you mention spring frogs, I remember seeing one in my home town, on a Southern branch with one train a way each day--and seeing and hearing it spring as wheels passed through it. It may still be there. In the late thirties, there were two trains a day each way--one freight and one passenger.
Deggesty Now that you mention spring frogs, I remember seeing one in my home town, on a Southern branch with one train a way each day--and seeing and hearing it spring as wheels passed through it. It may still be there. In the late thirties, there were two trains a day each way--one freight and one passenger.
Frog shouldn't have been springing on the main line side! They were considered maintenance headaches but provided a smoother ride for passenger trains. Many (most?) were removed in the 60s and 70's. There was a redesign in the 80s that lowered maintenance demand and did a better job with HAL traffic, so they got something of a resurgence.
Buslist News this AM has the state of CA granting $82m to the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency (San Louis Obispo to San Diego) for among other things the lease of 31 Talgo cars. I assume in this group will be the 2 orphan Wi train sets, but where will the others come from? If all state money is used I guess buy America doesn't apply and they could be built off shore. Wonder how the lease period is?
Sounds like a good move to put them to good use. Wisconsin's decision is LOSSAN's gain.
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
"IF" Lossan is running crowded can we expect them to not return any Amtrak cars unless there is some provision to require some cars to be returned ?
The questions will be
1. How soon will a contract be signed with Talgo ?
2. Will Amtrak prep the Talgos or will Talgo do it at Beech Grove ? How long will the prep take ?
3. Will Amtrak be contracted to ferry the units to California ? If so what route ?
4. If Amtrak gets the ferry contract will it sell tickets ? Would be interesting but food would be a problem ?
5. When. where, and how will the Talgo maintenance faciliy be built ?
blue streak 1 "IF" Lossan is running crowded can we expect them to not return any Amtrak cars unless there is some provision to require some cars to be returned ? The questions will be 1. How soon will a contract be signed with Talgo ? 2. Will Amtrak prep the Talgos or will Talgo do it at Beech Grove ? How long will the prep take ? 3. Will Amtrak be contracted to ferry the units to California ? If so what route ? 4. If Amtrak gets the ferry contract will it sell tickets ? Would be interesting but food would be a problem ?
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