DMUs for Amtrak

[j.peplow]

Is Amtrak considering use of Colorado Railcars DMU for any of its shorter runs? 2 miles per gallon of fuel seems to be pretty economical. Talk of a possible Chicago to Dubuque train would be a good fit for a DMU.

[n012944]

I don't see Amtrak buying new equipment any time soon.  Unless they can get a state to pony up for it.

 

Bert

[PBenham]

I don't see Amtrak buying new equipment any time soon.  Unless they can get a state to pony up for it.

 

Bert

True dat, true dat.

Another problem to be addressed is will the DMUs activate signal circuits. Otherwise, what good would 25MPH trains be?

[oltmannd]

Amtrak has the state of Vermont interested in purchasing some for operation between Springfield Mass and Burlington VT. 

[Anonymous]

As long as the trains have atleast 3 cars then yes it would activate the signal circuits.  All they would really have to do is put some of the old baggage cars on the trains and put to motor cars, or DMU's.

[Anonymous]

To me I think it would be great if the states would jump in and help Amtrak out a little.  I know that the Colorado Railcar DMU folks also make a self propelled double deck train.  Maybe Amtrak could get a few of these for the long distant trains, They could still put the locomotive up front, but also put a self propelled car, just in case the 1 locomotive goes down.  The train could still continue enroute and drop it off at the next Yard, for the next train to take with them to the shops.

[Railfan1]

Interesting.

[Anonymous]

[JT22CW]

I think it would be great if the states would jump in and help Amtrak out a little

That is what the current administration in DC wants.  However, that would be the weasely way out of DC's obligations to Amtrak per both the National Passenger Rail Act of 1970 and the Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act of 1997.

Amtrak used to have a sizable fleet of DMUs.  They were called by the name "Budd RDC".  Amtrak was even in possession of the unique "Roger Williams" version of this DMU.  If the politicians in DC are relenting on the decision thereof to purge DMUs from Amtrak, let them come up with the cash.  (Gas is approaching $4/gallon at the time of writing, after all; and it's coming up very close to summer.)

[blue streak 1]

Tri-rail dmu's terrible acceleration

[JT22CW]

This thread isn't about Tri-Rail's double-deck DMUs, IINM.  Amtrak wouldn't be getting double-deckers if they were ever to go for DMUs again, besides.

[ndbprr]

Don't know about amtrak but if I ever won the lottery I would have one of them outfitted for my personal train and it would be first class.

[Dakguy201]

The Vermont DMU deal fell apart because the State was insisting on guaranteed buyback at 90% of the purchase price for the cars should the service not work, and Colorado Railcar would not/could not furnish such a guarantee.

[martin.knoepfel]

There are a few points to consider if runnig the Colorado-Railcar-DMUs in intercity-service. Of course, on lightly-travelled routes, they would be a cheaper alternative to locomotive-hauled trains. Most probably, two Colorado-railcars, one at each end, would be able to pull two to three trailers, which would make a nice four or five-car-train. (Bad acceleration is not a top-issue in intercity-service, because there are fewer stops than in communter-operations.)

How is riding-quality at 80 or 90 mph? The DMUs are built for commuter-operations with lower top speeds. Would they need new trucks? Would the engines overheat if runnig continously at higher speeds? Same questions appear if the DMUs power the proposed Chicago-Quad-Cities trains.

[blue streak 1]

I have ridden tri-rail's DMU and they would work if the line does not have a lot of slow orders. The DMUs have acceleration that is less than 50% acceleration of a locomotive and car set. This is a consideration for timekeeping and schedule.

[PNWRMNM]

Blue Streak

 

Colorado Rail Car says the DMUs have two 600 HP engines, which is 1200 hp/car, which is more than most loco hauled trains.  My question is why the discrepancy in accelleration rates you report?  Hotel power?  Transmission?  Also what is the basis of your statement??

 

Mac

[MStLfan]

Blue Streak

 

Colorado Rail Car says the DMUs have two 600 HP engines, which is 1200 hp/car, which is more than most loco hauled trains.  My question is why the discrepancy in accelleration rates you report?  Hotel power?  Transmission?  Also what is the basis of your statement??

 

Mac

Maybe weight is a factor? I noticed a slower acceleration by less than 10 year old double deck intercity emu's here in the Netherlands compared to late 60's early 70's single deck suburban emu's.

greetings,

Marc Immeker

[JT22CW]

Colorado Rail Car says the DMUs have two 600 HP engines, which is 1200 hp/car

1200 horsepower per train, actually (including HEP requirements).  They use one car to haul two other ones.

[oltmannd]

Colorado Rail Car says the DMUs have two 600 HP engines, which is 1200 hp/car

1200 horsepower per train, actually (including HEP requirements).  They use one car to haul two other ones.

Once upon a time, the LIRR ran 17 car trains from Long Island City to Port Jefferson with 17 cars and 2400 HP.  Metra used to run some fairly long trains (10-12 cars?) behind a single E8/9.  So 1200 HP for 3 cars is within the normal range for std practice.

[Paul Milenkovic]

As to 1200 HP on the CRC DMU including HEP (Whew!), they have a separate Diesel gen set for HEP in addition to the two 600 HP traction Diesels -- the CRC is like the transit agency locos with a separate HEP genset.  Whether that HEP genset can supply the heat and AC and light needs of two trailers I don't know.

But Amtrak seems to think it needs about 1 locomotive for every 4 cars -- maybe every 6 cars if they stretch it.  Do they really need that much power or is this a reliability/factor of safety thing -- that they can bring their trains in on one locomotive?

Is a one-locomotive train too risky for an LD train given current levels of maintenance? 

[kenneo]

As to 1200 HP on the CRC DMU including HEP (Whew!), they have a separate Diesel gen set for HEP in addition to the two 600 HP traction Diesels -- the CRC is like the transit agency locos with a separate HEP genset.  Whether that HEP genset can supply the heat and AC and light needs of two trailers I don't know.

But Amtrak seems to think it needs about 1 locomotive for every 4 cars -- maybe every 6 cars if they stretch it.  Do they really need that much power or is this a reliability/factor of safety thing -- that they can bring their trains in on one locomotive?

Is a one-locomotive train too risky for an LD train given current levels of maintenance? 

The operative term is "given the current levels of maintenance."  Remember what you are dealing with -- Toasters by GE.  An E8 could/can keep a schedule with 8 cars through mountains.  Those CRC units use automotive type diesels and are pulling 2 cars in addition.  No need to be hanging on during a accelleration.  The transmissions make a differance, too.