Of course it could be that locomotive maintenance and thus reliabilty have suddenly improved, but we still hear plenty of anecdotes here of major delays because of locomotive failures. Perhaps someone can check Amtrak stats?
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
Exactly what I said Dave, no need for two units if they are reliable. The early streamliners were delivered to be operated with a single unit, and this is when diesel fuel was cheap.
Or it may be that Amtrak maintenance has improved to the point where reliability is sufficient to avoid wasting fuel.
Lots of early streamliners had only one unit up front, or being an articlyated train, were permanently attached ot only one.
Insufficient "available" locomotives sounds like a maintenace problem.
dakotafred Assuming a single unit can provide the necessary HP, the point is and always has been: What if it fails? Covering that remote possibility is a poor excuse for running fuel through a redundant unit day after day. We never heard of it in steam days.
Assuming a single unit can provide the necessary HP, the point is and always has been: What if it fails?
Covering that remote possibility is a poor excuse for running fuel through a redundant unit day after day. We never heard of it in steam days.
But in steam days, weren't there service facilities and helpers to be found every hundred or so miles?
It certainly appears lack of operatable locos is causing this. Yesterday's Starlight had one 500 series loco out of Seattle.
Double units will probably return with through operation of the Boston section.
Well, the new baggage cars are definitely lighter and the brakes do not stick.........lol.
dakotafredAssuming a single unit can provide the necessary HP, the point is and always has been: What if it fails? Covering that remote possibility is a poor excuse for running fuel through a redundant unit day after day. We never heard of it in steam days.
Loss of propulsion is minor compared to the threat of losing operable HEP.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.
Its wasn't uncommon to see one locomotive and e or f hauling a newly budd built streamliner of 6 or 7 cars.
Lack of operative locos most likely. It is getting bad for Amtrak and lack of operative locos. sn
josephr33 I've noticed the Lakeshore Limited is now running with one locomotive. While it makes for a clean appearance to the train, I can't help but wonder how Amtrak deals with potential breakdowns as well as maintaining track speed with a train that has normally had two locomotives. Does anyone know what considerations Amtrak makes when assigning locomotives to trains?
I've noticed the Lakeshore Limited is now running with one locomotive. While it makes for a clean appearance to the train, I can't help but wonder how Amtrak deals with potential breakdowns as well as maintaining track speed with a train that has normally had two locomotives. Does anyone know what considerations Amtrak makes when assigning locomotives to trains?
How many cars does the LSL usually have? Fewer now? Maybe a newer, more powerful locomotive now?
Many Amtrak trains operate with a single unit. It depends on the number of cars and the grades to be encountered. The Texas Eagle routinely runs with one unit.
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