Passenger Trains > Chargers on the move

I learned yesterday that a pair of Chargers were out doing certification runs on the San Joaquins. Yesterday and then today they were in the consist of 710 SB and 719 NB. The good news is that I was able to get in position to video 719 heading to Sac. The bad news is that I didn't get home in time to grab my Sony HDTV camera and was left with my iPhone 6+. so here is 719 hell bent for leather through FNO between West and Shaw about 6p.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/27/17 13:44 by buckeyetom.

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9 car Consist

Posted from iPhone

These are not certification runs, these are revenue service trains.

All certification testing was completed in March.

Posted from iPhone

So why so many locos on the same train and why not have a charger up front?

Victor A. Baird
http://www.erstwhilepublications.com

KM-ML4000 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> These are not certification runs, these are
> revenue service trains.
>
> All certification testing was completed in March.
>
> Posted from iPhone

All 6 Caltrans Chargers, must complete 30 days of running as part of the contract, before the end of June.

Amtrak will not let the locomotives lead until they are fitted with remote monitoring devices, which is going to happen later in the summer. Until then, a F59 or P42 must be the controlling cab.

This is why there are 2 Chargers on a train, being lead by either a F59 or P42. The locomotives are fully tested and qualified by the FRA, and it has nothing to do with the locomotives.

Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> So why so many locos on the same train and why not
> have a charger up front?
>
> Victor A. Baird
> http://www.erstwhilepublications.com
>
> KM-ML4000 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > These are not certification runs, these are
> > revenue service trains.
> >
> > All certification testing was completed in
> March.
> >
> > Posted from iPhone



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/27/17 07:15 by KM-ML4000.

KM-ML4000 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> All 6 Caltrans Chargers, must complete 30 days of
> running as part of the contract, before the end of
> June.
>
> Amtrak will not let the locomotives lead until
> they are fitted with remote monitoring devices,
> which is going to happen later in the summer.
> Until then, a F59 or P42 must be the controlling
> cab.
>
> This is why there are 2 Chargers on a train, being
> lead by either a F59 or P42. The locomotives are
> fully tested and qualified by the FRA, and it has
> nothing to do with the locomotives.
>
> Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > So why so many locos on the same train and why
> not
> > have a charger up front?
> >
> > Victor A. Baird
> > http://www.erstwhilepublications.com
> >
> > KM-ML4000 Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > These are not certification runs, these are
> > > revenue service trains.
> > >
> > > All certification testing was completed in
> > March.
> > >
> > > Posted from iPhone

Well aparantly there is differing information being posted. Some one else has stated that while they have been "Amtrak" certified for equipment compliance they are not yet certified/qualified to lead on the territory they will run and are indeed NOT on revenue runs but on territory certification runs.

So who is right?

1. the trains are carrying passengers
2. if the trains are carrying passenger, they are "Revenue" runs, not qualifying, training, familiarization, or any other type of service.
3. I work on the project


jst3751 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> KM-ML4000 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > All 6 Caltrans Chargers, must complete 30 days
> of
> > running as part of the contract, before the end
> of
> > June.
> >
> > Amtrak will not let the locomotives lead until
> > they are fitted with remote monitoring devices,
> > which is going to happen later in the summer.
> > Until then, a F59 or P42 must be the
> controlling
> > cab.
> >
> > This is why there are 2 Chargers on a train,
> being
> > lead by either a F59 or P42. The locomotives
> are
> > fully tested and qualified by the FRA, and it
> has
> > nothing to do with the locomotives.
> >
> > Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > So why so many locos on the same train and
> why
> > not
> > > have a charger up front?
> > >
> > > Victor A. Baird
> > > http://www.erstwhilepublications.com
> > >
> > > KM-ML4000 Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > -----
> > > > These are not certification runs, these are
> > > > revenue service trains.
> > > >
> > > > All certification testing was completed in
> > > March.
> > > >
> > > > Posted from iPhone
>
> Well aparantly there is differing information
> being posted. Some one else has stated that while
> they have been "Amtrak" certified for equipment
> compliance they are not yet certified/qualified to
> lead on the territory they will run and are indeed
> NOT on revenue runs but on territory certification
> runs.
>
> So who is right?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/27/17 08:50 by KM-ML4000.

KM-ML4000 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am working on the project, and the other source
> is not.

Thank you

Further, here is the PRIIA locomotive specification, which covers everything we have put the Charger through in the past 12 months. It is very dry reading, but it explains a lot of the mysteries in the program.

http://www.highspeed-rail.org/documents/priia%20305%20docspec%20and%20other%20ngec%20documents/priia%20locomotive%20spec%20305%20005%20approved%20initial%20release.pdf


And here is a link to the remote monitoring system to be installed on all Amtrak operated Chargers.
http://www2.wi-tronix.com/products-services
jst3751 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> KM-ML4000 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I am working on the project, and the other
> source
> > is not.
>
> Thank you



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/27/17 09:31 by KM-ML4000.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge KRM! Though I never liked the looks of the current power on Amtrak, I like the heftiness and look of power these Charger locos have. Someone was thinking too when they came up with the name "Charger". Good marketing.

Victor A. Baird
http://www.erstwhilepublications.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/27/17 19:30 by wabash2800.

Thanks for the info KM, will read through the document link when I've got a little more time. If these are state sponsored trains, why does Amtrak get to dictate the equipment setup? And is it Amtrak, the host railroad, an insurance issue, etc. that is driving that policy decision? It is great to see some new locomotives out in service.

Thanks,

Nathan