Passenger Trains > ? Re: Amtrak Surfliner Thanksgiving Consist Length

Hello

When will the expanded Surfliners be out?

Will it affect all trains or just certain ones?

I am hoping to get some coastal photos of the bigger trains, maybe Sna Clemente, again. Also, any advice where else to shoot?

Thanks to all, and Happy Thanksgiving, in advance...

JimBo

Jim Montague
IRVINE, CA
Train and Nature photo Art

Based upon past years, and the current schedule, I'd expect 566-777 to have 7 cars on Monday, giving 774-785 7 cars on Tuesday, and 768-579 7 cars on Wednesday. It would run again on Thursday as 562-769-796 (769 can be crazy on Thanksgiving as everyone does their last second traveling) and 567-580-591 on Friday.

On Tuesday and Wednesday 566 will likely launch with 9 cars, putting those sets on 566-777, then 774-785 on Wednesday/Thursday, and 768-579 on Thursday/Friday. It's possible two cars would be removed from 785 in LA on Thursday.

Also on Tuesday I'd expect 8 cars to launch on 564-573-582, and 763-784-595 on Wednesday.

Everything else will probably have six cars.

Jaanfo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Based upon past years, and the current schedule,
> I'd expect 566-777 to have 7 cars on Monday,
> giving 774-785 7 cars on Tuesday, and 768-579 7
> cars on Wednesday. It would run again on Thursday
> as 562-769-796 (769 can be crazy on Thanksgiving
> as everyone does their last second traveling) and
> 567-580-591 on Friday.
>
> On Tuesday and Wednesday 566 will likely launch
> with 9 cars, putting those sets on 566-777, then
> 774-785 on Wednesday/Thursday, and 768-579 on
> Thursday/Friday. It's possible two cars would be
> removed from 785 in LA on Thursday.
>
> Also on Tuesday I'd expect 8 cars to launch on
> 564-573-582, and 763-784-595 on Wednesday.
>
> Everything else will probably have six cars.


Train #777 had 9 cars tonight. I saw it at Van Nuys at 3:30pm.


I would think they are already adding to the consists now.

Jerry Martin
Los Angeles, CA
Central Coast Railroad Festival

What's the longest consist that can be run on the Surfliners with one locomotive?

Years ago when it was Amfleet, they would occasionally run some monster consists with two F40's - 12 or 13 cars + engines, if I recall correctly.

--j

jofegan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What's the longest consist that can be run on the
> Surfliners with one locomotive?
>
> Years ago when it was Amfleet, they would
> occasionally run some monster consists with two
> F40's - 12 or 13 cars + engines, if I recall
> correctly.
>
> --j


Well depending on the Locomotive type.
I have seen 1 P42 with eight superliner and surfliner mix cars.

With the F59 units they run 7 cars as the max.

Most consist length I have seen with the Surfliner/Superliner mix has
been up to 10 cars. I am sure they can go longer if they wanted too.

Jerry Martin
Los Angeles, CA
Central Coast Railroad Festival

Remember the distance between Broadway and Ash St. (San Diego) limits the length of the trains!

Isn't HEP capacity what limits the number of cars?

When 3751 ran, they limited the length to 10 cars. Aren't most platforms on the line built for 10 car max lengths? Doesn't any more cars require double spotting? If so, then that might be the limit.

JimBo

Jim Montague
IRVINE, CA
Train and Nature photo Art

Before they redid Santa Fe Depot.

During the
The 15 cars was the max. With two Units.

Jerry Martin
Los Angeles, CA
Central Coast Railroad Festival

I was on a set of 11 cars and two loco's, but it was within about five inches of being to long.

So for safety they stick to 10.


Tuesday and Wednesday would be the day to see the 8 and 9 car sets.

One may have the diner-lounge 37000 as food service.

mundo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I was on a set of 11 cars and two loco's, but it
> was within about five inches of being to long.
>
> So for safety they stick to 10.
>
>
> Tuesday and Wednesday would be the day to see the
> 8 and 9 car sets.
>
> One may have the diner-lounge 37000 as food
> service.


I saw that car on #777 yesterday. Anyword if
any of the 33000 series cars. will be added
to the mix?

Jerry Martin
Los Angeles, CA
Central Coast Railroad Festival

And, unlike the Cascades Corridor, the CA Corridors generally have sufficient capacity (and frequency) to avoid turning people away during these busy holiday travel periods, although there may end up being a few sellouts. Meanwhile, SEA-PDX and v.v. sell out sometimes more than a week in advance.