661 was spotted at Chicago Union Station coach yard this morning while on my ride to work.
Unconfirmed report ACS-64 #662 on todays eastbound Cal Z ( 6 / 24 Oct )
662 was seen in the CZ consist being turned on the wye south of Chicago Union Station yesterday (10/26/2015).
Unconfirmed report that 663 may be on today's CAL Z 6/04 Nov. Waiting for more reports.
blue streak 1 Unconfirmed report that 663 may be on today's CAL Z 6/04 Nov. Waiting for more reports.
Well 663 is definitely not following the script. Here is video of it in Iowa on CAL Z 6 / 07 now. This is the CAL Z that does not get to CHI today. Train set will return back to Emeryville. Wonder what Amtrak is going to do with the 663 ? Maybe stay with train set until 663 can be added to 6 / 08 Nov ? Just pure speculation. Anyone know Amtrak plans ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut-5Lrd5QB0
Might be worried about someone fouling up 663. Maybe all way back to DEN for qualified (?) ACS-64 car knockers ?
will leave this for others to comment. West bound Cal Z exiting Moffett tunnel at Winter park ski resort. Yes that's ACS-64 #663 going on for the ride.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b1d9AZnHZI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fScqcKXYK1A
Reversed at Ottamwa, properly pointed at Denver,my guess.
from the Far East of the Sunset Route
(In the shadow of the Huey P Long bridge)
So what can we say about ACS-64 #663 ? Whither bound ? -- hither and yon
JC UPTONDoes anyone know what was Amtrak's "service disruption" that caused the turnaround for CZ6 at Ottumwa?
BNSF main closed due to freight hitting road grader.
http://www.kcrg.com/subject/news/public-safety/more-than-20-coal-train-cars-derail-after-hitting-construction-equipment-20151109
blue streak 1 So what can we say about ACS-64 #663 ? Whither bound ? -- hither and yon
blue streak 1 blue streak 1 So what can we say about ACS-64 #663 ? Whither bound ? -- hither and yon Well it went yon. Here is a video of it arriving Emeryville Wedensday night. Did it leave today ? What a waste of money. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8n9rSVpGSE
The movement of a dead locomotive doesn't enter into the problems that Amtrak faced in turning the Zephyr equipment short of destination, and in real terms is of very little operating consequence to traffic on the NEC getting the 663 several days later then when it was originally expected. Amtrak was trying to handle their passenger responsibilities in the arrangements that were made to turn the equipment short of destination.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Agree that taking care of passengers is first priority. However # 663 could have been left in Denver as station would have been good location to leave 663. That would have saved 2398 miles + what ever in Emeryville. Have no idea what is mileage costs of an ACS-64 but Amtrak says an Amfleet costs about $4.00 + per mile.
Anyone know if 663 has been sent back east ?
blue streak 1Amtrak says an Amfleet costs about $4.00 + per mile.
Not sure, but that is not the "out-of-pocket" cost. It likely includes depreciation and other, non-operating expenses.
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
schlimmNot sure, but that is not the "out-of-pocket" cost. It likely includes depreciation and other, non-operating expenses.
I'd agree with this. What you'd want is the marginal direct cost ... probably of adding just the extra weight, wind, and rolling resistance of the one car, since it's unlikely to be 'the straw that broke the camel's back' requiring an additional P42. Someone handy with the Davis formula can give us an approximation of added resistance averaged for the given route profile, and then figure the added fuel cost to overcome that -- this is probably almost 100% of the actual cost involved in toting the ACS-64 both ways.
Now, against this, figure the cost of switching the locomotive out of the consist, ensuring it is secure and wouldn't need to be moved until the 'next' Amtrak train, and then the cost involved in switching it into the 'next' train, etc. Isn't HEP off in the train while the power goes wherever it has to go to position the ACS-64? Isn't the 'likely' temporary resting place somewhere fairly distant from any actual scheduled place Amtrak would stop?
I am reasonably sure 'experts' had a good idea that going all the way back to Emeryville made the most sense. That's not something anybody who Mr. Mica might take an interest in would do without really, really justifiable reasoning...
663 is east bound again in Iowa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qnjCiJj6nc
Unconfirmed reports that 658 - 664 on NEC under test. All lower number in service except 601 wreck. Any one know when 664 might have come east or any pictures. Unable to confirm.
Unconfirmed report that an ACS-64 east bound on #6 /09 number unknown
blue streak 1 Unconfirmed report that an ACS-64 east bound on #6 /09 number unknown
Very late posting ------------
Video of 664 on train # 6 / 09 January going thru Iowa on Jan 11th.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnRCUKx3xFk
Unconfirmed report that ACS 665 preparing to leave California.
Although unconfirmed it is reported that ACS-64 # 665 is on Cal Z 6 / 26 Jan out of Emeryville.
blue streak 1 Although unconfirmed it is reported that ACS-64 # 665 is on Cal Z 6 / 26 Jan out of Emeryville.
554 starting from dead stop in Iowa. Almost looks like 611 startig up note the smoke.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvG3QRDJmSE
Unconfirmed that 667 is testing on the NEC. if true then maybe no 666 ?
EDIT this appears unfounded see latest post.
[quote user="blue streak 1"]
On a recent N.E. corridor trip saw an ACS-64 with the name David L. Gunn. Good to know he was honored in this way.
Yes, there is no 666. There are 70 units numbered 600-665 and 667-670.
Unconfirmed that 667 will be leaving California. Some one may have more information.
NorthWest Yes, there is no 666. There are 70 units numbered 600-665 and 667-670.
Yet there is an Amtrak train 666. (Weekend Keystone service). Maybe having motor 666 leading train 666 would open some portal to hell. Insert Philadelphia joke here...
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.
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