Trains.com

New Amtrak Airo commercial

4770 views
36 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Atlanta
  • 11,971 posts
Posted by oltmannd on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 1:33 PM

zugmann

 

 
oltmannd
I just want people to stop doing complicated, new things when simple, proven and better ways already exist.

 

I mean, I get the sentiment, but where would we be if that idea was followed throughout history?

 

Complicated new things rarely last if there's a simple, new alternative. 

New has to be better.

Hydrogen-fuel cell?  Maybe we can talk...

-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 21,448 posts
Posted by Overmod on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 4:55 PM

zugmann
Overmod
They'd damn well have to be.

Isn't that only if they are to go to GCT?

That's what blue streak said in his question.

I still haven't quite figured out why the New York section of the Lake Shore Limited wasn't run out of Penn on the Empire Connector during the time we saw it suspended for 'nose door' issues.

  • Member since
    July 2008
  • 2,325 posts
Posted by rdamon on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 7:15 PM

Is the roof hatch not adequate?  - Aside from the challenge of climbing up and then down, of course. 

Edit:  Finding this - it looks like the non-engineer's window is an exit

https://www.highspeed-rail.org/Documents/Annual%20Meetings/2021/9.%20Metro-North%20Railroad%20Siemens%20NGEC%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%202021%20-%20Final.pdf

 

  • Member since
    September 2011
  • 6,417 posts
Posted by MidlandMike on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 7:48 PM

blue streak 1
Advantages of these units. --  If Amtrak thinks that if it possible regular or  emergency service to Grand Central Terminal is contemplated from Albany or New Haven then these units will be needed.  Also if MNRR west side  service is contemplated to NYP with onlythe present fleet then 3rd rail will be needed the whole distance.

A complication is that MNRR and LIRR(NYPenn) us two different types of 3rd rail.  MNRR underrunning shoes, LIRR overrunning shoes.  New Haven had adjustable shoes, but I think just on locos, and they weren't foolproof from what I hear 

  • Member since
    September 2010
  • From: East Coast
  • 1,177 posts
Posted by D.Carleton on Thursday, December 29, 2022 6:49 AM

rdamon

Edit:  Finding this - it looks like the non-engineer's window is an exit.

Having replaced a few 1st gen Charger windshields let me assure all that neither are easily removed.

Editor Emeritus, This Week at Amtrak

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 21,448 posts
Posted by Overmod on Thursday, December 29, 2022 8:24 AM

The roof hatch is probably close to being blocked in in the GCT tunnel, but more difficult is negotiating the roof to where you can be sure of climbing down in 'post-accident' conditions.  A nose door would be at least technically protected by the anticollision arrangements.

It would be relatively simple to arrange full FRA impact compliance for one of the windshield panes while allowing it to be 'ejected' from the inside after an accident.  Providing the glazing with a beveled mount, putting a 'mating' cushined surface in the frame, and locking it in place with a pull-out strip as for car safety windows would be one approach.  Presumably there would be some sort of emergency rope ladder stowed in the cab to aid "climbing down"...

  • Member since
    September 2010
  • From: East Coast
  • 1,177 posts
Posted by D.Carleton on Friday, December 30, 2022 6:33 AM

Overmod
The roof hatch is probably close to being blocked in in the GCT tunnel, but more difficult is negotiating the roof to where you can be sure of climbing down in 'post-accident' conditions.  A nose door would be at least technically protected by the anticollision arrangements.

It would be relatively simple to arrange full FRA impact compliance for one of the windshield panes while allowing it to be 'ejected' from the inside after an accident.  Providing the glazing with a beveled mount, putting a 'mating' cushined surface in the frame, and locking it in place with a pull-out strip as for car safety windows would be one approach.  Presumably there would be some sort of emergency rope ladder stowed in the cab to aid "climbing down"...

I cannot think of anything specific in 49CFR223 to preclude designing a forward windshield as an emergency exit. Then again, the third-rail Charger dual-modes are on order for MNCR so we shall see what they come up with.

Editor Emeritus, This Week at Amtrak

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy