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another AAF update

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Posted by Buslist on Monday, December 1, 2014 7:54 PM

daveklepper

I think C&WI did use head-end lighting, because they used Stillwell suburban cars identacle to those on the Erie in their Jersey City service, and those definitely were equipped for head-end lighting.  I did not know that the Central ran any suburban service.  The Elkhart Local is news to me.  When did it last run?  i also do not know of any B&O, Pere Marqette, or Erie Chicago suburban service.   Where there any?

 

 

The Elkhart local is reported to have lasted until '64. Before the war (and probably during) there were several NYC locals between Chicago and Gary and Chicago and Chesterton. Depending on how far back you want to go there were local trains on the C&EI, GTW, B&OCT, CGW, and things like Chicago to Aurora on the C&NW as well as Chicago to Williams Bay via West Chicago and Elgin, and up the Belvidere sub to Rockford and Freeport. I also believe the IC operated out the Iowa Division to Addison ( which was off on a branch about 2 miles north of the main).

 

The GTW had a significant funeral business serving 4 cemeteries on its route. My Great Grandfather was laid to rest via that route.

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Posted by Buslist on Monday, December 1, 2014 7:34 PM

Overmod

 

 
CSSHEGEWISCH

The Stillwell coaches used by CWI were purchased used from Erie.

 

Apparently in 1950.  These were 'composite' Stillwells; Elwood has them built 6/26 with the original Erie numbers in the 2300 series.  This was right at the time the road dieselized with RS-1s:

Can't find any information of what was on the RS-1s to provide lighting power, but they were built new for C&WI, and some of them have survived into preservation (perhaps with the equipment still installed).

EDIT:  A roster note says that combine #40 was 'trainline lighting only'.

 

 

Been looking at quite a few Western Indiana RS1 shots. Can't find any with any sort of train lighting connections on the end. And this shot of coach 42 doesen't appear to have any as well although it may be hidden back in the train door where the traditional bus connection was. Note however the car seems to have a battery box. [html] http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/cwi/cwi-co42alr.jpg [/html]

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Posted by Deggesty on Monday, December 1, 2014 1:41 PM

That was the "Dolton Demon," wasn't it?

Johnny

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Posted by Overmod on Monday, December 1, 2014 12:01 PM

CSSHEGEWISCH

The Stillwell coaches used by CWI were purchased used from Erie.

Apparently in 1950.  These were 'composite' Stillwells; Elwood has them built 6/26 with the original Erie numbers in the 2300 series.  This was right at the time the road dieselized with RS-1s:

Can't find any information of what was on the RS-1s to provide lighting power, but they were built new for C&WI, and some of them have survived into preservation (perhaps with the equipment still installed).

EDIT:  A roster note says that combine #40 was 'trainline lighting only'.

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Monday, December 1, 2014 7:00 AM

The Stillwell coaches used by CWI were purchased used from Erie.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
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Posted by daveklepper on Monday, December 1, 2014 4:28 AM

I think C&WI did use head-end lighting, because they used Stillwell suburban cars identacle to those on the Erie in their Jersey City service, and those definitely were equipped for head-end lighting.  I did not know that the Central ran any suburban service.  The Elkhart Local is news to me.  When did it last run?  i also do not know of any B&O, Pere Marqette, or Erie Chicago suburban service.   Where there any?

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Posted by Buslist on Sunday, November 30, 2014 6:02 PM

daveklepper

with the old heavyweight commuter cars, some used electric and some used steam for heating, but all used head-end electric for lighting except the PRR Valporaiso trains, which had axle generators.

 

 

Know the Wabash didn't use head end lighting until into the N&W era, I don't believe C&WI or NYC's Elkhart local did either. 

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Posted by daveklepper on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 8:19 PM

with the old heavyweight commuter cars, some used electric and some used steam for heating, but all used head-end electric for lighting except the PRR Valporaiso trains, which had axle generators.

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Posted by schlimm on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 4:15 PM

Buslist

 

 
CSSHEGEWISCH

 

 

That is correct, but C&NW was the first to use HEP and run them as push-pulls.

 

 

 

 

depends on what your definition of HEP is. Most of the Chicago area commuter roads supplied lighting power to even their heavyweight cars from the locomotive, or in the case of the Q a car with a lighting generator. ( remember the extra step box on the Rock's RS3s or the squared off lower nose on the North Western's geep 7s?) The higher capacity HEP of modern times was required by the addition of AC.

 

 
And, in Chicago at least, electric heating, as opposed to steam.

C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan

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Posted by Buslist on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 9:52 AM

CSSHEGEWISCH

 

 

That is correct, but C&NW was the first to use HEP and run them as push-pulls.

 

 

depends on what your definition of HEP is. Most of the Chicago area commuter roads supplied lighting power to even their heavyweight cars from the locomotive, or in the case of the Q a car with a lighting generator. ( remember the extra step box on the Rock's RS3s or the squared off lower nose on the North Western's geep 7s?) The higher capacity HEP of modern times was required by the addition of AC.

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Posted by Overmod on Monday, November 24, 2014 9:52 PM

Buslist
 Thanks

 
De nada.  What I'd like to discuss now are those 'private activity bonds' that the reference seems to be saying are private equity bonds.  Here is a reference describing a bit about the program -- perhaps interestingly, I could not get into the FHWA PPP Web site, either directly or through the link provided by AASHTO  ... update: that page is here..
 
Do we know who the conduit issuer to AAF will be?
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Posted by Buslist on Monday, November 24, 2014 4:32 PM

Overmod

 

Thanks

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Posted by Overmod on Monday, November 24, 2014 2:57 PM
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Posted by Buslist on Monday, November 24, 2014 1:50 PM

Interesting item over at Progressive Railroading's site. Perhaps someone can set this up as a hot link. Thanks!

 


http://www.progressiverailroading.com/passenger_rail/article/All-Aboard-Florida-execs-talk-Siemens-train-purchase-funding-options--42518?

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Posted by CMStPnP on Friday, November 14, 2014 8:23 AM

Here is a long ago article on sketched in Financials for the AAF Project.   Kind of vague still but gives a clearer overall picture than has been given so far in these forums........

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/print-edition/2013/09/20/will-the-numbers-in-all-aboards.html

 

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Thursday, November 13, 2014 8:38 AM

West palm beach station construction started with demolition.

http://www.allaboardflorida.com/stations/wpb-station.html

 

 

 

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Thursday, October 30, 2014 3:37 PM

new rendering of FLL station.  There is also a link in the link of other artist drawings.

https://us-mg205.mail.yahoo.com/neo/launch?.partner=sbc&.rand=el6u3orhaljqr

 

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Wednesday, October 29, 2014 2:47 PM

Per newswire AAF has stared demolition for its Ft. Lauderdale station.  They appear to definitely be going ahead.  Any local comment ?

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Posted by Buslist on Thursday, October 16, 2014 3:46 PM

railtrail

Now Everybody KNOWS that passenger trains lose money. What makes the smart people at Fortress Investment Hedge Fund/FEC think that this is any different? I say they build the line run it for a while lose massive amounts of money and then dump it on the state for a profit. Still someone on Wall Street must be a diehard railfan to risk this amount of money in the Hedge Fund at Fortress is still a blessing that i will take.

 

 

According to someone close to the action this is a real estate game.  Increase the value of their holdings in Miami and elsewhere along the route. Seems a pretty expensive way to accomplish that but we'll see.

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Posted by railtrail on Thursday, October 16, 2014 9:35 AM

Now Everybody KNOWS that passenger trains lose money. What makes the smart people at Fortress Investment Hedge Fund/FEC think that this is any different? I say they build the line run it for a while lose massive amounts of money and then dump it on the state for a profit. Still someone on Wall Street must be a diehard railfan to risk this amount of money in the Hedge Fund at Fortress is still a blessing that i will take.

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Posted by Buslist on Monday, October 13, 2014 9:46 PM

Overmod

 

 
Buslist
Actually Amtrak uses the top and tailed (UK term) on the Michigan services, will this be the model in Il once there is more 110 mileage?

 

Can somebody quote the FRA prohibition of riders in 'power cars' for 125mph+ service?  That's probably the reason for AAF using 'top and tail' trains: the quick reversibility of push-pull without a 'cabbage' on one end...

 

From FRA's High Speed Passenger Rail Safety Strategy Novemember 2009 page 17, part 2b. "FRA's regulations for Tier II operations ... Requires that the power cars at the ends of the train exclude passengers". However Tier II covers up to 150 MPH FRA notes the possibility of using higher speed EMU sets that might include occupied end vehicles. FRA goes on to state that "there are no simple answers to the question of whether passenger seating in cab cars is appropriate. The answer will require careful research and full consideration of the operating environment where the transit operates."

 

 

 

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Posted by gregrudd on Monday, October 13, 2014 6:58 PM

daveklepper

regarding siemans using cummings diesels.   all israel railroad locomotives of whatever manufacture that are currently in operation use usa diesels.   the vosslov and alstom locomotives all use emd diesels.  there are still a few aclos in local freight and switching.

apparently as prime movers, usa products have a better reputation for reliability than european products -or chinese or whatever

also, 18 years ago when i first moved here to stay,  cars on the road were mostly european and japanese.   mercedes still domnates the taxi fleets, but otheriwse there are now plenty of chevies and fords, many dfferent sizes and types.   but they may be made in europe too.

 



To date most Chineese export loco's to date have used either European (MTU or MAN-B&W) or Cat prime movers.
As as an aside I do recall that one of their exports used in Malaysia used what was effectively an English Electric Ruston prime mover. They ended up being duds and were replaced by 2nd hand Indian Alco DL531's which were about as bullet proof as it gets in light and narrow guage loco's

Let me reiterate, what I was saying to you previously -Rex Mossop
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Posted by Overmod on Monday, October 13, 2014 6:44 PM

Buslist
Actually Amtrak uses the top and tailed (UK term) on the Michigan services, will this be the model in Il once there is more 110 mileage?

Can somebody quote the FRA prohibition of riders in 'power cars' for 125mph+ service?  That's probably the reason for AAF using 'top and tail' trains: the quick reversibility of push-pull without a 'cabbage' on one end...

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Posted by daveklepper on Monday, October 13, 2014 9:49 AM

regarding siemans using cummings diesels.   all israel railroad locomotives of whatever manufacture that are currently in operation use usa diesels.   the vosslov and alstom locomotives all use emd diesels.  there are still a few aclos in local freight and switching.

apparently as prime movers, usa products have a better reputation for reliability than european products -or chinese or whatever

also, 18 years ago when i first moved here to stay,  cars on the road were mostly european and japanese.   mercedes still domnates the taxi fleets, but otheriwse there are now plenty of chevies and fords, many dfferent sizes and types.   but they may be made in europe too.

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Posted by Buslist on Monday, October 13, 2014 1:11 AM

gregrudd

To me AAF appears to have embraced the British HST 125 operating model, purchasing what is in effect and updated and Americanised HST 125.  Which surprised me as I was expecting them to go push-pull bi-level which is the normal short/medium distance operational model in North America.  Is this a statement on the conservatism of the Amtrak and Commuter agencies who for the most part using the C&NW commuter operational model from the 1950's

 

 

Why would a commuter operator want to use a top and tailed operation. Push in gives the commuter a shorter walk to and from the cars at the downtown terminal and the additional  HP for higher speeds is not required.

Actually Amtrak uses the top and tailed (UK term) on the Michigan services, will this be the model in Il once there is more 110 mileage?

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Posted by Buslist on Monday, October 13, 2014 1:04 AM

CMStPnP

Happy they went with Siemens and knew that nobody would take Talgo seriously outside of the Political side.

 

 

Talgo tilting suspension is designed for a curvy route, the additional expense has no business here or in Chicago Milwaukee service. 

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Posted by CMStPnP on Sunday, October 12, 2014 10:30 PM

Happy they went with Siemens and knew that nobody would take Talgo seriously outside of the Political side.

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Sunday, October 12, 2014 7:19 PM

Aerial rendering of the MIA Central station  (AAF)  Certaily can see FECI's real estate thinking.

 

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article2538964.html

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Posted by gregrudd on Tuesday, September 30, 2014 6:10 PM

The choice of using a Cummins prime mover is an interesting one (I suspect this is being done more to improve US local content and their large support network in the US over anything else) over either an MTU or the MAN-B&W Paxman 18-VP185 Which in 12 cyl form is well known in the HST125/XPT

Let me reiterate, what I was saying to you previously -Rex Mossop

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