D.CarletonIn another thread I had suggested rebuilding 50 of the 1500 series MHCs into baggage cars by removing and plating over the plug doors, installing two sets of conventional baggage doors and diaphragmed end doors for in-train access. In essence these would be a modern-day economy baggage car. These cars were built new in the 1980s on new GSC trucks. I believe they were cleared for 125 mph operation (unlike the 1400 series MHCs which rode on rebuilt express boxcars trucks) but will have to check my files when I catch up with them.
That would be interesting to know.... I'm placing my bet on 90 mph. It would be a good trick to get short cars like that to behave themselves at those speeds.
-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/)
oltmannd D.CarletonIn another thread I had suggested rebuilding 50 of the 1500 series MHCs into baggage cars by removing and plating over the plug doors, installing two sets of conventional baggage doors and diaphragmed end doors for in-train access. In essence these would be a modern-day economy baggage car. These cars were built new in the 1980s on new GSC trucks. I believe they were cleared for 125 mph operation (unlike the 1400 series MHCs which rode on rebuilt express boxcars trucks) but will have to check my files when I catch up with them. That would be interesting to know.... I'm placing my bet on 90 mph. It would be a good trick to get short cars like that to behave themselves at those speeds.
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D.Carleton oltmannd D.CarletonIn another thread I had suggested rebuilding 50 of the 1500 series MHCs into baggage cars by removing and plating over the plug doors, installing two sets of conventional baggage doors and diaphragmed end doors for in-train access. In essence these would be a modern-day economy baggage car. These cars were built new in the 1980s on new GSC trucks. I believe they were cleared for 125 mph operation (unlike the 1400 series MHCs which rode on rebuilt express boxcars trucks) but will have to check my files when I catch up with them. That would be interesting to know.... I'm placing my bet on 90 mph. It would be a good trick to get short cars like that to behave themselves at those speeds. Both batches of MHCs were 61' long. An AEM-7 is 10' shorter and behaves well enough at 125 mph.
Whole different deal, locomotives.
oltmannd D.Carleton oltmannd D.CarletonIn another thread I had suggested rebuilding 50 of the 1500 series MHCs into baggage cars by removing and plating over the plug doors, installing two sets of conventional baggage doors and diaphragmed end doors for in-train access. In essence these would be a modern-day economy baggage car. These cars were built new in the 1980s on new GSC trucks. I believe they were cleared for 125 mph operation (unlike the 1400 series MHCs which rode on rebuilt express boxcars trucks) but will have to check my files when I catch up with them. That would be interesting to know.... I'm placing my bet on 90 mph. It would be a good trick to get short cars like that to behave themselves at those speeds. Both batches of MHCs were 61' long. An AEM-7 is 10' shorter and behaves well enough at 125 mph. Whole different deal, locomotives.
Somewhere in my library I have video I shot standing in the vestibule of the first passenger car behind the locomotive on a German express train doing about 100mph. I was looking forward through the windows in the end doors at the tail end of the class 103 electric locomotive in front. What struck me in person and again watching the video was how much that locomotive danced around, the front of it moving both side to side and up and down. If the passenger cars bounced that much, it would not be a pleasant ride. And that was a German class 103, an engine built for high speed.
oltmannd D.Carleton Both batches of MHCs were 61' long. An AEM-7 is 10' shorter and behaves well enough at 125 mph. Whole different deal, locomotives.
D.Carleton Both batches of MHCs were 61' long. An AEM-7 is 10' shorter and behaves well enough at 125 mph.
Okay, how so? Amtrak intends to convert some of these into cab cars upon retirement.
D.Carleton Okay, how so? Amtrak intends to convert some of these into cab cars upon retirement.
The Amtrak F40PH converted cab cars retain their Locomotive suspension and have a whole lot of Concrete poured in them to sub partially for the weight of the missing Diesel. I think they do the concrete also to improve crashworthiness but I am not sure on the latter point.
CJtrainguy oltmannd D.Carleton oltmannd D.CarletonIn another thread I had suggested rebuilding 50 of the 1500 series MHCs into baggage cars by removing and plating over the plug doors, installing two sets of conventional baggage doors and diaphragmed end doors for in-train access. In essence these would be a modern-day economy baggage car. These cars were built new in the 1980s on new GSC trucks. I believe they were cleared for 125 mph operation (unlike the 1400 series MHCs which rode on rebuilt express boxcars trucks) but will have to check my files when I catch up with them. That would be interesting to know.... I'm placing my bet on 90 mph. It would be a good trick to get short cars like that to behave themselves at those speeds. Both batches of MHCs were 61' long. An AEM-7 is 10' shorter and behaves well enough at 125 mph. Whole different deal, locomotives. Somewhere in my library I have video I shot standing in the vestibule of the first passenger car behind the locomotive on a German express train doing about 100mph. I was looking forward through the windows in the end doors at the tail end of the class 103 electric locomotive in front. What struck me in person and again watching the video was how much that locomotive danced around, the front of it moving both side to side and up and down. If the passenger cars bounced that much, it would not be a pleasant ride. And that was a German class 103, an engine built for high speed.
In Sept., I had the same view of a dancing loco from the observation (lead) car of No. 27 going down the Columbia River. I have a new respect for the workout engine crews get in their line of work!
dakotafredIn Sept., I had the same view of a dancing loco from the observation (lead) car of No. 27 going down the Columbia River. I have a new respect for the workout engine crews get in their line of work!
Off topic but one of the longstanding complaints of Locomotive Engineers is their seats are not designed to cushion against those shocks as are trucker seats and so some of them suffer medical problems down the line as a result.
Don,
I think your remarks hit the nail on the bulls eye. Joe Boardman has been at this business for a long time and he sure has to see the political KISS principle. By simplifying Amtrak's structure it will make it harder for Members of Congress to obscure the real issues and that will stay. Also, if services are cut it will make it clearer that these services have an impact on someone and on just who those someones are.
I think your analysis here is pretty brilliant.
John
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