Rail Proposal to Aid Gulf Region Hit by Katrina

[LNER4472]

In the past couple of hours I have been chatting with and e-mailing some individuals in a position to offer some assistance with railroad efforts to help the victims of Katrina. To wit, here's the basics of the one idea:

We have identified three possibly available pools of commuter rail equipment that may be available to assist with relief trains:
*Ex-C&NW bilevels stored in the Chicago area by a broker;
*Ex-LIRR single-level cars in the Maryland region and elsewhere, also owned by a broker
*ex-PRR/MARC single-level cars owned by VRE

In addition, there MAY be some Chicago METRA bilevels available (ex-CB&Q/BN).

Also sitting redundant at the moment: Amtrak's ExpressTrak refrigerator cars and RoadRailers.

Also possibly available: Around 40 ex-Amtrak F40PH's owned by a Chicago-area broker.

The proposal: Set up the commuter car sets for temporary transportation in the Gulf region while reconstruction is occurring. Do NOT use the equipment for evacuation this moment, but rather use it for transporting relief workers to and from temporary lodging while reconstruction and repair occurs and before Interstate and other bridges are repaired. Use ExpressTrak reefers as emergency cold storage and for food transport .

I have e-mailed at least one of the brokers involved, and he is amenable to the idea, provided logistics can be worked out (i.e. it doesn't cost him, no liability, etc.). Certain things would have to be waivered, such as certain FRA certification, window-glazing rules, 40-year truck rip-down requirements, etc.

What think all?

[Big_Boy_4005]

This sounds interesting, however just because you have located equipment, doesn't mean that the "powers that be" will want this kind of help. In this case the "powers that be" are the railroads, and the government agency overseeing the rebuilding process.

My guess is that the government will be calling the shots to some extent, and the railroads will cooperate. The government may choose to keep out of the railroad's way, and stick to roads and air.

So who do you call, FEMA the Governor's offices in the affected states? Once they hear your offer, they will probably want to discuss it with with the railroads. At that point their answer may be thanks, but no thanks. You won't know unless you try.

[Anonymous]

It's a neat idea - the snag I can see is whether all the equipment you mention will start and operate correctly (if it's been sat in a yard for the past year or so then you may have problems with gaskets, etc that have "gone off" over the time?). From the stock listed it might be best to form sets of an F40PH at each end of a set of cars (assuming the MU equipment can handle that?) Just thinking that in the event of encountering flooding or other obstacles the trailing loco could then be used to tow the consist back.

[LNER4472]

Yes, logistics are the catch. As an example, the F40's I just mentioned are currently NOT considered available/operable by the one broker, but could be made to run. One broker unbelievably offered three operable E8's and an E9--but would have to hurriedly drop HEP plants in them.

Passenger equipment--a variety of logistics. The C&NW bilevels would in theory need a 40-year truck rebuild and refitting of emergency escape glazing--two examples of what would have to be waived to operate in an emergency, with an understanding of the emergency basis of this operation. The LIRR cars are basically sound, but would also need glazing redone (a supreme example of "Lexan ladies," for those who know their PRR history). The cars have HEP, cab control pass-through lines, etc., and I know the bilevels have cab cars as well. Even matters as trivial as whether the horns on the cab cars still work would be considered a legitimate issue--they're old and hard to get repair parts for.

Air-conditioning? Probably shot, or not in EPA compliance, or whatever. Is that an issue? Could they get away with removing a window from each end/side for ventilation and putting in a screen/grill?

Could these cars possibly be set up to run without HEP--battery lights and a gas generator? Thus not mandating an HEP-equipped loco for service? Railfans, of course, will put up with anything to ride rare mileage, but we're talking a possible hour or so each way daily for weeks.

Another issue: No toilets. An issue that keeps them from being used on long-distance evacuation, but would be survivable in the duty proposed--relief-worker commutation.

Another possible fleet identified: VRE is attempting to discontinue all single-level commuter car use, going all-bilevel (with several ex-C&NW bilevels now in service) to increase capacity. VRE's Mafersa single-level fleet is thus "available", but is perhaps too new and in too good condition to consider for immediate use. Perhaps transferred to another agency in exchange for older cars to be used for emergency trains?

[fuzzybroken]

FYI, a number of ex-Metra (ex-CB&Q?) bilevels are stored north of Horicon on the Wisconsin & Southern. Just a guess, but they might be the most compliant of any sitting cars.

-Mark
www.fuzzyworld3.com

[LNER4472]

Corrections to above series of assumptions:

Truck rebuilds would only apply if the cars were assigned Amtrak private-car 800000-series numbers--which the agents in charge insist "ain't gonna happen." It's comparable to getting a commercial driving license and registering as a freight company to drive an old delivery van as a farm truck--unnecessary and not applicable in this case. (The cars can qualify for these Amtrak numbers, but short of rebuild for some rail-cruise service I don't foresee that happening.)

The C&NW and BN bilevels all have fully functional AC, 27-pin pass-through and Amtrak compatible phase rotation and 72 volt control circuit. Horns work and they take standard Leslie "Typhon" parts, not hard to get repair parts for. And each has a self-contained toilet.

The VRE single-level cars are reported as under transfer to Connecticut DOT.

We're trying, folks, really, we are...................

[Anonymous]

bump up... Whats Going On here..

[Wdlgln005]

Another source for rebuilds may be the exC&NW/Metra cars now owned by the Music City Star in Nashville. They have 3 F40's and the Tennesse Central RR Museum owns more. I think the cars are supposed to be rebuilt to make them ADA compliant. The ADA changes involve taking out 1-2 seats & building an area where persons in wheelchairs would ride sideways, similar to areas on a bus. The Music City Star isn't scheduled to run any trains till Jan 06. Delays in construction & station building may delay the project more? There's still a lot of work to be done.
Just an idea to see if the equipment couldn't be "borrowed" for 6 months or so till operations do begin. Last I knew, the equipment was being stored at South Junction on the N&E track. At least this set of cars ought to be in decent shape.

[Anonymous]

Hey could the Commuter rail service become permanant in New Orleans? Lord Knows that have enough railroads and The NOPB is Publcly Owned