Passenger Trains > New Amtrak Equipment

what has become of the 4 cars the CAF was building for Amtrak. I know they were released to Amtrak for testing and after several weeks, Amtrak returned them to CAF for some refinements. that seems to have been 3 to 4 months ago and now nothing. No testing or new cars rolling out or anything. the silence is getting LOUD. Does anyone know if there is something substantially wrong with the cars to keep such a tight lid on there where about of these new cars. refinements are one thing, re-makes or do overs are another.

I know this has been brought up before but I am just curious about an update, if anyone knows anything.

Was hoping to see them out there late this or early next year.

TIA

Rob

Two of the cars, with one being a baggage, were sitting in Philly's Race St Yard till a couple of weeks ago (probably till like week before Thanksgiving).

I expected to see them on the NEC in NJ, in some form of testing. Either they didn't do much of that, or I missed them.

It would have been nice to hook them behind the various Sprinter units as they were tested for acceptance.

61000 came first
Then came 62500, 68000 and 69000.
Then 61000 went back to CAF
Then 62500, 68000 and 69000 were returned to CAF.
The same crew which returned the last 3 picked up 61000 and 61001.
61004 and 61006 are awaiting pickup if they have not yet been picked up.

Not as if nothing has been happening...

R30A Wrote:
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> 61000 came first
> Then came 62500, 68000 and 69000.
> Then 61000 went back to CAF
> Then 62500, 68000 and 69000 were returned to CAF.
>
> The same crew which returned the last 3 picked up
> 61000 and 61001.
> 61004 and 61006 are awaiting pickup if they have
> not yet been picked up.
>
> Not as if nothing has been happening...



Well,are they still building other cars?

"still" is the word.

Uncle Joe,Seffner,fl.

Employees at CAF were told several weeks ago that the first cars had been accepted and would be going into service soon.

NewRiverGeorge Wrote:
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> Employees at CAF were told several weeks ago that
> the first cars had been accepted and would be
> going into service soon.

Glad to hear that.

I hope Amtrak will find a way to keep this production line open for years to come.

ts1457 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> NewRiverGeorge Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Employees at CAF were told several weeks ago
> that
> > the first cars had been accepted and would be
> > going into service soon.
>
> Glad to hear that.
>
> I hope Amtrak will find a way to keep this
> production line open for years to come.

Good news, I wonder what the output sequence will be. Love to go up to Elmira and watch the pull.

Wonder where the first assignments will be?

The logical delivery vehicle will be the Lakeshore to Chicago, much as the California Zephyr has been for the new electrics coming out of Sacramento. Guessing a few will end up filtering west through Chicago for testing on all routes, but most likely will first go via the Capitol to permanent assignments out of Washington. The CAF orders were intended to first populate the Florida trains and the Crescent.

But, Amtrak could surprise me and shift some cars south through Penn Station and Sunnyside Yard to Washington rather than through Chicago. Maybe move a group of them to WAS that way?

I know mechanical is anxious to start parking their old heritage bags, as well as the converted coaches with the jammed center roll-up doors. For this reason I would expect the new bags to go first to Chicago, where the old bags can be replaced one for one, and then be shuttled down to Beech Grove for storage and/or scrapping. Should start seeing them checking into Beech Grove soon I would think.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/02/14 13:33 by NewRiverGeorge.

NewRiverGeorge Wrote:
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> The logical delivery vehicle will be the Lakeshore
> to Chicago, much as the California Zephyr has been
> for the new electrics coming out of Sacramento.
> Guessing a few will end up filtering west through
> Chicago for testing on all routes, but most likely
> will first go via the Capitol to permanent
> assignments out of Washington. The CAF orders
> were intended to first populate the Florida trains
> and the Crescent.

All Viewliners are assigned to Hialeah for maintenance...wouldn't it make sense that they go there first before entering service? And if that's the case, delivery routing via Albany and Sunnyside might be preferred.

Dave

Any guesses as to what the lone 10 bag-dorms will go ? My guess is Cardinal and one half or other of the LSL.

Posted from Android

joemvcnj Wrote:
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> Any guesses as to what the lone 10 bag-dorms will
> go ? My guess is Cardinal and one half or other of
> the LSL.
>
> Posted from Android

Since NY half has most of the OBS crew, my guess would be the New York half. My guess is that the New York half will also get an additional Viewliner Sleeper when they become available.

Yes, I believe the Florida trains are supposed to be equipped first. Hopefully the cars won't need much maintenance for a while.

As Peyton says, "gotta love that new car smell."

Eventually though there should also be enough new baggage cars to replace all heritage on the western overnight trains too. Those, no doubt, will be maintained at Brighton Park and Beech Grove.

>
> All Viewliners are assigned to Hialeah for
> maintenance...wouldn't it make sense that they go
> there first before entering service? And if
> that's the case, delivery routing via Albany and
> Sunnyside might be preferred.
>
> Dave