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ACS-64s in transit, tests, & deliveries

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Friday, January 8, 2016 6:52 PM

Unconfirmed reports that 658 - 664 on NEC under test.  All lower number in service except 601 wreck.  Any one know when 664 might have come east or any pictures.  Unable to confirm.

 

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Saturday, November 14, 2015 2:15 PM

663 is east bound again in Iowa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qnjCiJj6nc

 

 

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Posted by Wizlish on Friday, November 13, 2015 6:04 PM

schlimm
Not sure, but that is not the "out-of-pocket" cost. It likely includes depreciation and other, non-operating expenses.

I'd agree with this.  What you'd want is the marginal direct cost ... probably of adding just the extra weight, wind, and rolling resistance of the one car, since it's unlikely to be 'the straw that broke the camel's back' requiring an additional P42.  Someone handy with the Davis formula can give us an approximation of added resistance averaged for the given route profile, and then figure the added fuel cost to overcome that -- this is probably almost 100% of the actual cost involved in toting the ACS-64 both ways. 

Now, against this, figure the cost of switching the locomotive out of the consist, ensuring it is secure and wouldn't need to be moved until the 'next' Amtrak train, and then the cost involved in switching it into the 'next' train, etc.  Isn't HEP off in the train while the power goes wherever it has to go to position the ACS-64?  Isn't the 'likely' temporary resting place somewhere fairly distant from any actual scheduled place Amtrak would stop?

I am reasonably sure 'experts' had a good idea that going all the way back to Emeryville made the most sense.  That's not something anybody who Mr. Mica might take an interest in would do without really, really justifiable reasoning...

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Posted by schlimm on Friday, November 13, 2015 1:07 PM

blue streak 1
Amtrak says an Amfleet costs about $4.00 + per mile.

Not sure, but that is not the "out-of-pocket" cost.  It likely includes depreciation and other, non-operating expenses.

C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Friday, November 13, 2015 10:38 AM

Agree that taking care of passengers is first priority.  However  # 663 could have been left in Denver as station would have been good location to leave  663.  That would have saved 2398 miles + what  ever in Emeryville.  Have no idea what is mileage costs of an ACS-64 but Amtrak says an Amfleet costs about $4.00 + per mile.

Anyone know if 663  has been sent back east ?

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Posted by BaltACD on Thursday, November 12, 2015 8:44 PM

blue streak 1
blue streak 1

So what can we say about  ACS-64   #663 ?    Whither bound ? --  hither and yon

Well it went yon.  Here is a video of it arriving Emeryville Wedensday night.  Did it leave today ?  What a waste of money.
 

The movement of a dead locomotive doesn't enter into the problems that Amtrak faced in turning the Zephyr equipment short of destination, and in real terms is of very little operating consequence to traffic on the NEC getting the 663 several days later then when it was originally expected.  Amtrak was trying to handle their passenger responsibilities in the arrangements that were made to turn the equipment short of destination.

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Posted by Dragoman on Thursday, November 12, 2015 6:07 PM
True, but what else could they do, given that they had to turn the consist before Chicago? Leave it sitting all alone in the middle of Iowa? Spend the time and effort (and yes, cost) to cut it out in Denver or Salt Lake, let it sit there, and then the time and effort (and cost) to re-add it to another eastbound when convenient? No easy answers in this sort of situation.
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Posted by blue streak 1 on Thursday, November 12, 2015 5:59 PM

blue streak 1

So what can we say about  ACS-64   #663 ?    Whither bound ? --  hither and yon

 
Well it went yon.  Here is a video of it arriving Emeryville Wedensday night.  Did it leave today ?  What a waste of money.
 
 
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Posted by CJtrainguy on Thursday, November 12, 2015 12:01 PM

JC UPTON
Does anyone know what was Amtrak's "service disruption" that caused the turnaround for CZ6 at Ottumwa?
 

BNSF main closed due to freight hitting road grader.

http://www.kcrg.com/subject/news/public-safety/more-than-20-coal-train-cars-derail-after-hitting-construction-equipment-20151109

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Wednesday, November 11, 2015 4:43 PM

So what can we say about  ACS-64   #663 ?    Whither bound ? --  hither and yon

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Posted by JC UPTON on Wednesday, November 11, 2015 1:55 PM
Does anyone know what was Amtrak's "service disruption" that caused the turnaround for CZ6 at Ottumwa?

from the Far East of the Sunset Route

(In the shadow of the Huey P Long bridge)

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Posted by daveklepper on Wednesday, November 11, 2015 3:47 AM

Reversed at Ottamwa, properly pointed at Denver,my guess.

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Wednesday, November 11, 2015 3:10 AM

will leave this for others to comment.  West bound Cal Z exiting Moffett tunnel at Winter park ski resort.  Yes that's ACS-64  #663 going on for the ride.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b1d9AZnHZI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fScqcKXYK1A

 

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Monday, November 9, 2015 10:04 PM

Well  663  is definitely not following the script.  Here is video of it in  Iowa on CAL Z 6 / 07 now.  This is the CAL Z that does not get to CHI today.  Train set will return back to Emeryville.  Wonder what Amtrak is going to do with the 663 ?  Maybe stay with train set until 663 can be added to 6 / 08 Nov ?  Just pure speculation. Anyone know Amtrak plans ? 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut-5Lrd5QB0

Might be worried about someone fouling up 663.  Maybe all way back to DEN for qualified (?) ACS-64 car knockers ?

 

 

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Saturday, November 7, 2015 8:03 PM

blue streak 1

Unconfirmed report that 663 may be on today's CAL Z 6/04 Nov.  Waiting for more reports.

 
Well it did not make that trip.  Saw pictures of 663 going from Sacremento - Emeryville today with unconfirmed report that it will be on CAL Z 6/08 from Emeryville tomorrow.
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Posted by blue streak 1 on Wednesday, November 4, 2015 11:11 AM

Unconfirmed report that 663 may be on today's CAL Z 6/04 Nov.  Waiting for more reports.

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Tuesday, October 27, 2015 10:02 AM

662 was seen in the CZ consist being turned on the wye south of Chicago Union Station yesterday (10/26/2015).

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 blue streak 1 on Saturday, October 24, 2015 2:24 PM

Unconfirmed report ACS-64    #662 on todays eastbound Cal Z  ( 6 / 24 Oct )

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Tuesday, October 20, 2015 8:20 AM

661 was spotted at Chicago Union Station coach yard this morning while on my ride to work.

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 blue streak 1 on Sunday, October 18, 2015 7:13 PM

Trying to confirm report that ACS-64 661 is on Cal Z # 6 / 17 October

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Tuesday, October 6, 2015 6:35 AM

660 was at Chicago Union Station coach yard yesterday (10/05/2015).  I have seen them from my train and they never seem to be in an easily phtographable location.

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 blue streak 1 on Friday, October 2, 2015 5:51 PM

Unconfirmed report ACS-64 660 headed to Emeryville today and scheduled on Cal Z Train 6/3 OCT tomorrow.

With only 9 to go and approximately 3 - 1/4 being turned or to Amtrak a month we may see the last one leave Emeryville by Dec 31st ?

 

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Posted by JC UPTON on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 8:53 PM

CSSHEGEWISCH

659 was in Chicago Union Station coach yard yesterday (09/29/2015).

 

2 Questions 

 

1- How long after arrival @ gateway point before a new ACS-64 enters revenue service?

2- Which unit is the most recently delivered that has been seen in revenue service?

 

 

 

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 6:54 AM

659 was in Chicago Union Station coach yard yesterday (09/29/2015).

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 blue streak 1 on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 10:15 PM

Have not been able to find link but saw pictures of an ACS-64 pulling a Superliner train from PHL - Harrisburgh.  The SLs were added to Pennsylvanian at Harrisburgh and Capitol at Pittsburgh.  These SLs reported as being for extra personel in PHL for the Pope's visit.

Very rare movement.  SLs uder wire pulled by electric motor.

 

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 3:26 AM
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Posted by blue streak 1 on Monday, September 28, 2015 12:22 PM

Unconfirmed report 659 on Cal Z 6/ 26 in Iowa today Monaday.

 

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Wednesday, September 23, 2015 6:42 AM

658 was in Chicago yesterday (09/22/2015) at the 18th Street facility.

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 blue streak 1 on Monday, September 21, 2015 10:07 PM

657 reported on #6 / 19 and here is video of 658 on #6 / 20 september.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TH1VaTJPMfQ

657 video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtVGi6svJPg

 

 

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Thursday, September 3, 2015 6:39 AM

655 was in Chicago yesterday (09/02/15) near 18th Street.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul

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