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Viewliner - 2 delivery, testing, and service

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Friday, March 6, 2015 6:01 PM

61007 unconfirmed report at Richmond Staples Mill for training. 

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Friday, March 6, 2015 8:07 PM

oltmannd
 

They were good enough to roll 1000 miles to FL but not good enough to put in revenue service?   I thought the "need" was so urgent - the cost of keeping the old baggage cars in service was so high...  Devil

 

Here is a quote from trains unlimited about what training is being required on these bags.  After reading the following it may be that training on these baggage is long range money saving.  It appears that CAE has built a significancly different car. When the V-2 diners and sleepers care built personell will not need additional training ?  

Quote --  They ( cars ) may not have seats, but aside from direct HVAC control, they may have all of the same operating components and safety systems as the rest of the passenger fleet.  This includes six 480volt cables of electricity running through them. ( if this 6 is true that is a change from all other Amtrak cars that just have 4 ) The mechanical department and contractors at outlying points must know how to take these cars apart and put them back together within tolerance of initial terminal rules (allowable tread depth, piston travel{if there are pistons] etc.) Indeed, the FRA added one more restriction g to this car which I won't discuss, but I'm sure someone will eventually spill.

 

The field personnel must know how to troubleshoot, repair and or cut out/bypass the appropriate portions of the brake and electrical systems. Tolerances must be established to determine how much can be cut out. Such questions include what kind of detection systems exist on this 125 mph vehicle. What kind of truck support systems exist and how do you adjust them en route? Do these cars have bearing systems?  On board? Outboard? Disk brakes? A combination of tread and disk? Can you cut out a single truck, a single axle or do you cut out the whole control valve and lose the car? Most importantly, where are all of these cut outs located? How many main res tanks are on these cars and how do you bypass them in field? 

 

This isn't a matter of opening and closing doors...which they will train you on for the sake of liability. This standard operating procedure for railroads. This way, if someone pinches their fingers, the company can say there were trained not to do so. ( end quote )

 

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Posted by D.Carleton on Saturday, March 7, 2015 12:52 PM

blue streak 1
This includes six 480volt cables of electricity running through them. ( if this 6 is true that is a change from all other Amtrak cars that just have 4 ) 

A typical HEP install on a car, at least everyone I have worked on, has 6 conductors running the length of the car: 3 on each side (left and right), one for each phase.

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Posted by Dutchrailnut on Saturday, March 7, 2015 4:01 PM

From another board : 839(09)
P42
Amfleet (occupied)
P42
DP ALB 0730
AR SDY 08:00 (Change ends pickup CP Pilot)
DP SDY 08:30
AR Binghampton (CP off NS H01 Pilot on) 13:30
DP Binghampton 14:00
AR Elmira-Woodlawn Ave 16:00 (NS Pilot off)
DP Elmira-Woodlawn Ave 16:15
AR Elmira Heights NY (SSS) 16:45

840(10) will operate same route SSS - ALB with new cars:
61028, 61029, 61030, 61031, 61032, 61033, 61034, 61035, 61036, 61037

DP SSS 0830
AR Elmira-Woodlawn 0900 (NS Pilot)
DP Elmira-Woodlawn 0930
AR Binghampton 1130 NS off P/U CP Pilot
DP Binghampton 1201
AR SDY (CDF 485) 1730 (change ends)
DP SDY 1800
AR ALB 1830

846(10) - ALB - NYP
1 P32DM
1 Amfleet
10 Baggage cars

DP ALB 2130
AR CP75 2230
AR NYP 2359 (ALB crew off)
DP NYP 0030
AR SSDY 0100

5 cars will travel to HIA on 97(11) and 5 will be on 97(12)

 

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Saturday, March 7, 2015 5:57 PM

So Dutch will that mean 1/2 of baggage cars delivered but not that many accepted yet?  Also does this mean the baggage cars are  qualified to operate on regular trains ?  Hope we will not get someone claiming that the first car that bad orders on a revenue train enroute means the cars were not ready to enter service..   i

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Posted by D.Carleton on Saturday, March 7, 2015 7:46 PM

Why not run these equipment deliveries south out of Bingo to Harrisburg and then to 30th Street? That would be 50 miles shorter and obviate the roundtrip through NYP. (I know, not my train, not my railroad. But I can read a map.)

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 8:59 PM

Dutchrailnut

From another board : 839(09)
P42
Amfleet (occupied)
P42
DP ALB 0730
AR SDY 08:00 (Change ends pickup CP Pilot)
DP SDY 08:30
AR Binghampton (CP off NS H01 Pilot on) 13:30
DP Binghampton 14:00
AR Elmira-Woodlawn Ave 16:00 (NS Pilot off)
DP Elmira-Woodlawn Ave 16:15
AR Elmira Heights NY (SSS) 16:45

840(10) will operate same route SSS - ALB with new cars:
61028, 61029, 61030, 61031, 61032, 61033, 61034, 61035, 61036, 61037

DP SSS 0830
AR Elmira-Woodlawn 0900 (NS Pilot)
DP Elmira-Woodlawn 0930
AR Binghampton 1130 NS off P/U CP Pilot
DP Binghampton 1201
AR SDY (CDF 485) 1730 (change ends)
DP SDY 1800
AR ALB 1830

846(10) - ALB - NYP
1 P32DM
1 Amfleet
10 Baggage cars

DP ALB 2130
AR CP75 2230
AR NYP 2359 (ALB crew off)
DP NYP 0030
AR SSDY 0100

5 cars will travel to HIA on 97(11) and 5 will be on 97(12)

 

 

uNCONFIRMED THAT 61028 - 61037 IS WAITING FOR ITS slot to proceed to NYP and sunnyside this evening.  May have already left Albany. 

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Wednesday, March 11, 2015 7:00 AM

61011 was seen at one of the platforms at Chicago Union Station yesterday afternoon (03/11/15).

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Wednesday, March 11, 2015 8:55 PM

ACS-64 shows it can pull 15 car LD train.  10 regular Meteor cars and 5 new V-2s at Levittown, Pa.. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH6HW-vBfdE

 

 

 

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Posted by BaltACD on Wednesday, March 11, 2015 9:28 PM

blue streak 1

ACS-64 shows it can pull 15 car LD train.  10 regular Meteor cars and 5 new V-2s at Levittown, Pa.. 

The V-2's seem to have a unique scream as they pass at speed.

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Wednesday, March 11, 2015 9:37 PM

BaltACD
 
 

 

 

The V-2's seem to have a unique scream as they pass at speed.

 

 
Balt: great observation.  Wonder why?   Would be nice if some one can play video of 2 -3 V-1 sleepers to compare sound.
 
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Posted by D.Carleton on Wednesday, March 11, 2015 11:10 PM

blue streak 1
 
BaltACD
   

The V-2's seem to have a unique scream as they pass at speed.

   
Balt: great observation.  Wonder why?   Would be nice if some one can play video of 2 -3 V-1 sleepers to compare sound.
 

Short answer: I don't know... and there are three Viewliner sleepers on the train in the video and they are not singing the same song.

My hypothesis: the full length skirt of the Viewliner 2's effects the sound of the wheels on the rails. Evidence: Acela trainsets have full skirts and make a similar sound.

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Posted by oltmannd on Thursday, March 12, 2015 7:11 AM

blue streak 1

 

 
oltmannd
 

They were good enough to roll 1000 miles to FL but not good enough to put in revenue service?   I thought the "need" was so urgent - the cost of keeping the old baggage cars in service was so high...  Devil

 

 

 

Here is a quote from trains unlimited about what training is being required on these bags.  After reading the following it may be that training on these baggage is long range money saving.  It appears that CAE has built a significancly different car. When the V-2 diners and sleepers care built personell will not need additional training ?  

Quote --  They ( cars ) may not have seats, but aside from direct HVAC control, they may have all of the same operating components and safety systems as the rest of the passenger fleet.  This includes six 480volt cables of electricity running through them. ( if this 6 is true that is a change from all other Amtrak cars that just have 4 ) The mechanical department and contractors at outlying points must know how to take these cars apart and put them back together within tolerance of initial terminal rules (allowable tread depth, piston travel{if there are pistons] etc.) Indeed, the FRA added one more restriction g to this car which I won't discuss, but I'm sure someone will eventually spill.

 

The field personnel must know how to troubleshoot, repair and or cut out/bypass the appropriate portions of the brake and electrical systems. Tolerances must be established to determine how much can be cut out. Such questions include what kind of detection systems exist on this 125 mph vehicle. What kind of truck support systems exist and how do you adjust them en route? Do these cars have bearing systems?  On board? Outboard? Disk brakes? A combination of tread and disk? Can you cut out a single truck, a single axle or do you cut out the whole control valve and lose the car? Most importantly, where are all of these cut outs located? How many main res tanks are on these cars and how do you bypass them in field? 

 

This isn't a matter of opening and closing doors...which they will train you on for the sake of liability. This standard operating procedure for railroads. This way, if someone pinches their fingers, the company can say there were trained not to do so. ( end quote )

 

 

Gazooks!  We are talking about some training on the specifics of some new passenger cars.  This is not rocket science!

Compared to the training mandate that comes with PTC, this is really simple, easy, basic stuff!

Of course, we're talking about an outfit that can't train their conductors to use the conductor's office on trains instead of sprawling out in the lounge car...

-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/

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Posted by oltmannd on Thursday, March 12, 2015 7:12 AM

D.Carleton

 

 
blue streak 1
 
BaltACD
   

The V-2's seem to have a unique scream as they pass at speed.

   
Balt: great observation.  Wonder why?   Would be nice if some one can play video of 2 -3 V-1 sleepers to compare sound.
 

 

 

Short answer: I don't know... and there are three Viewliner sleepers on the train in the video and they are not singing the same song.

 

My hypothesis: the full length skirt of the Viewliner 2's effects the sound of the wheels on the rails. Evidence: Acela trainsets have full skirts and make a similar sound.

 

Sounds plausible to me...

-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/

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Posted by BaltACD on Thursday, March 12, 2015 8:45 AM

D.Carleton
blue streak 1
 
BaltACD
   

The V-2's seem to have a unique scream as they pass at speed.

   
Balt: great observation.  Wonder why?   Would be nice if some one can play video of 2 -3 V-1 sleepers to compare sound.
 

 

 

Short answer: I don't know... and there are three Viewliner sleepers on the train in the video and they are not singing the same song.

 

My hypothesis: the full length skirt of the Viewliner 2's effects the sound of the wheels on the rails. Evidence: Acela trainsets have full skirts and make a similar sound.

 

Off this video - I don't hear similar sounds from Acela's

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Posted by ORNHOO on Thursday, March 12, 2015 11:21 AM
Two features that might play a part in this are the unique door pockets ( and their plethora of handles ) and the venilation cupolas on the roof centerline.
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Posted by blue streak 1 on Thursday, March 12, 2015 3:37 PM

BaltACD

The V-2's seem to have a unique scream as they pass at speed.

 
[/quote]
 
 
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Posted by blue streak 1 on Saturday, March 14, 2015 11:15 AM

Balt:  Second 5 did not sound same.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDYgPiStNU4

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Posted by BaltACD on Saturday, March 14, 2015 3:34 PM

blue streak 1

Balt:  Second 5 did not sound same.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDYgPiStNU4

 

Nowhere near the scream of the 1st batch, but still something is 'off' in what I am hearing.

Even the original group, behind diesel power and at a lesser speed have a 'whine' to them

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Sunday, March 22, 2015 6:10 PM

61006 found on rear of train #43 pennsylvanian  going to Pittsburgh for training.  Note freshly outshopped loco #512 on point.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cunQWjUZ_xc&feature=youtu.be

 

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Monday, March 23, 2015 1:44 PM

There are various unconfirmed reports that the new V-2 baggage cars are operationally on origination trains # 20, 80, 90, 92, 98.   However no pictures confirming this are posted as of this time.  Reported that Heritage Baggage are dead heading on front of trains.  Maybe this so removing old bags connected to locos easy in WASH. 

Just  saw picture of new V-2 on 98 at Fort Laderdale but no link available.


Edit:  Viewliner on rear of train at Orlando with Heritage bag trailing.  No link.

 

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Monday, March 23, 2015 9:21 PM

Amtrak train # 90 with an in service viewliner.  Note:  Dead heading Heritage baggage in front of V-2 next to loco.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUvGmFQRan8&feature=youtu.be

 We will need observation reports to determine where the Heritage baggage cars might go.  If on Cardinal probably to Beech Grove.  If on Capital then probably for redistribution to western trains ?  Some might go to Bear ?

Speculation:  It may be that the short Heritage baggage cars are retired first to eliminate their 90 MPH speed limit on the NEC leaving LD ability to go 110 on NEC.?  But all in all it is only speculation on what will happen.

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Posted by oltmannd on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 12:55 PM

Viewliner baggage cars on #19 every day since the 26th

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Posted by D.Carleton on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 2:38 PM

#98 went north yesterday with two deadheading new baggage cars between the power and the the first coach, an in service new baggage car on the rear and no heritage baggage cars.

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Posted by D.Carleton on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 2:42 PM

blue streak 1

Speculation:  It may be that the short Heritage baggage cars are retired first to eliminate their 90 MPH speed limit on the NEC leaving LD ability to go 110 on NEC.?  But all in all it is only speculation on what will happen.

I do not know of any heritage cars not qualified for 110 mph.

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Posted by oltmannd on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 8:05 PM

D.Carleton

 

 
blue streak 1

Speculation:  It may be that the short Heritage baggage cars are retired first to eliminate their 90 MPH speed limit on the NEC leaving LD ability to go 110 on NEC.?  But all in all it is only speculation on what will happen.

 

 

I do not know of any heritage cars not qualified for 110 mph.

 

 

Thought the 60 footers were only good for 90.  

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 8:37 PM

There is an unconfirmed rumor that all single level east coast trains that have had baggage cars are now using only V-2 baggage.  There appears to be some Heritage baggage cars Dead Heading to Chicago after getting to WASH & NYP.

Does any one have iformation to the contrary ?

 

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Posted by D.Carleton on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 8:57 PM

oltmannd
 
D.Carleton 
blue streak 1

Speculation:  It may be that the short Heritage baggage cars are retired first to eliminate their 90 MPH speed limit on the NEC leaving LD ability to go 110 on NEC.?  But all in all it is only speculation on what will happen.  

I do not know of any heritage cars not qualified for 110 mph.  

Thought the 60 footers were only good for 90.   

I have seen (in fact the last heritage baggage I saw) shorter baggage cars on our Florida trains and those trains are carded for 110 mph on the NEC.

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Thursday, April 2, 2015 9:54 PM

U tube of lake shore limited with operative diner 8400, operative V-2 baggage and dead heading heritage baggage to Chicago.

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

In a few days maybe no more heritage baggage cars on east coast trains ?  There goes any picture opportunities except maybe the Amtrak display train ?

 

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Friday, April 3, 2015 8:48 PM

U tube of 640 thru Iowa on the cal Z today Friday

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-L8--smZ8PU&feature=youtu.be

 

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