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Talgos in CA?

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Posted by Buslist on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 11:15 AM

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 ?

 

 

. I think you missed the most important question. When and where will the maintenance facility be constructed, as we know Talgo insists on it, and when will it be finished so service can start.

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Monday, August 22, 2016 8:32 PM

"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 ?

 

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Posted by schlimm on Monday, August 22, 2016 11:52 AM

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.

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Posted by Buslist on Monday, August 22, 2016 10:28 AM

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.

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Posted by Deggesty on Monday, August 22, 2016 10:10 AM

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.

Johnny

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Posted by Buslist on Monday, August 22, 2016 9:41 AM

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.

 

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.

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Posted by JOHN L CLARK on Sunday, August 21, 2016 3:59 PM

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"]

Maybe LOSSAN thought they should jump on the available Talgos before some other agency grabs them ? 

 

 

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Posted by Deggesty on Friday, August 19, 2016 2:14 PM

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.

Johnny

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Posted by ORNHOO on Friday, August 19, 2016 2:07 PM
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?
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Posted by Buslist on Thursday, August 18, 2016 7:41 AM

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.

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Thursday, August 18, 2016 6:44 AM

Based on the above postings, I would suspect that Caltrans would lease the equipment from Talgo and sign a maintenance contract with Talgo.

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 NorthWest on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 8:55 PM

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.

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 5:53 PM

Maybe LOSSAN thought they should jump on the available Talgos before some other agency grabs them ? 

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Posted by Buslist on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 4:12 PM

Dragoman
http://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

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Posted by Dragoman on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 3:25 PM
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/passenger_rail/news/California-panel-awards-390-million-in-transit-grants--49173?
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Posted by MikeF90 on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 3:07 PM

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.

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

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Posted by Buslist on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 2:59 PM

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. 

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Posted by 081552 on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 2:22 PM

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

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Posted by Buslist on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 12:47 PM

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. 

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 11:59 AM

Quite possible, Talgo trainsets are articulated and the trainsets in Cascades service are twelve or thirteen cars each.

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 Buslist on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 11:48 AM

Other news reports seem to indicate that these are the 2 Wi train sets, but 31 cars?

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Talgos in CA?
Posted by Buslist on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 11:41 AM

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?

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