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130 bi-level cars ordered for AMTRAK useage

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[quote user="blue streak 1"] [quote user="John WR"] The article you link to says California is buying some of these cars and Illinois, Michigan and Missouri are buying the rest.  Nothing actually says they will be used by Amtrak so I was wondering if there is more information here.   What is clear is that Amtrak is not buying these cars.  However, Amtrak may well be operating them for the states involved in the purchase. [/quote] The purchase is not by AMTRAK but if you note the funds come from a FRA grant (tiger funds I believe ). So the IMHO AMTRAK is buying these cars using a financial sleight of hand to prevent them going on the books.  I know SAM1 will not like this method. Now a history lesson..... AMTRAK's first fleet strategy plan noted that about 65 bi-level cars would be needed per year for various services.  At some time the FRA stepped in and wisely required that all bi-levels be identical except for minor passenger items.  AMTRAK, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, Washington state, & California were invited to attend a equipment conference to flesh out specifications.  May have been others as well ? California was designated lead agency somewhere in this process. The conferences settled on the design early this year. The specs are very important for commonability of equipment with much compatible with the Viewliners now under construction.  Any change of equipment will be required to be backwards compatible. The FRA then designated a grant for 130 cars and the conference issued a request for bids. In September the bidder was selected and CALIFORNIA  awarded the contract listed in the announcement.  These cars will be used for AMTRAK service in CA and the midwest. Nothing may prevent some other operator in the future but for any FRA money for future cars these specs will be followed. There is nothing in the fleet strategy plan that says any of replaced cars in midwest or california will be retired for several years. They most likely will be used to add cars to other services [/quote] I don't have a problem with someone else owning the equipment and contracting with Amtrak to operate it.  The key point is that there is a clear audit trail with respect to the costs associated with the purchase or lease and operation of the equipment.   If the cost of the equipment, as well as its maintenance, is not on Amtrak's books, it makes determining the true cost of the service more difficult. One needs to look to Amtrak for the revenues and the operating costs; then go to the lessee for the depreciation and perhaps maintenance costs.   As it is, I believe, Amtrak is the operator of several state supported train sets that are owned by the states or an independent authority.
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