Passenger Trains > Amtrak 364 - Black Eye Day 3

Day 3 with reported new power, and all three have left CHI late. Today over 2 hours of Initial Terminal Decay... That's my Amtrak!

Anyone know of a more specific reason?

Also, looks like the 110mph operation is on again, off again. 355 didn't go above 79mph tonight, adding to it's delay. That 364 did go above 79mph, but unlike any other train I've seen plotted on the track a train map, it hovered in the 90's on the long stretches where a 110mph gps record always appears, like between New Buffalo and Niles. I wonder why that is.

I've be riding one of the Wolverines in a few weeks and will be interested in how the accelration feels, if there is a charger on it by that time.

Penn Central would be proud.

Posted from Android

The Chargers have some internal stuff that is making them impossible to operate w/ the ITCS system on the MI line.
The engines are extremely finicky under ordinary conditions, but I can only imagine what this is like.
Like most stuff being built now, it is overbuilt w/ way too many systems that can shut it down— over the top German engineering that may work on Deutsche Bahn Rwy, but not the same on Amtrak which struggles w/ fairly basic power. What a nightmare— I feel for the engineers having to deal with it.

Somebody should check the builder's plates on these Chargers to see if it says "Boeing" somewhere..

IC_2024 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The Chargers have some internal stuff that is
> making them impossible to operate w/ the ITCS
> system on the MI line.
> The engines are extremely finicky under ordinary
> conditions, but I can only imagine what this is
> like.
> Like most stuff being built now, it is overbuilt
> w/ way too many systems that can shut it down—
> over the top German engineering that may work on
> Deutsche Bahn Rwy, but not the same on Amtrak
> which struggles w/ fairly basic power. What a
> nightmare— I feel for the engineers having to
> deal with it.

All new power has teething problems.  They will be worked out over time.

Art House

inCHI Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Also, looks like the 110mph operation is on again,
> off again. 355 didn't go above 79mph tonight,
> adding to it's delay. That 364 did go above 79mph,
> but unlike any other train I've seen plotted on
> the track a train map, it hovered in the 90's on
> the long stretches where a 110mph gps record
> always appears, like between New Buffalo and
> Niles. I wonder why that is.
>
> I've be riding one of the Wolverines in a few
> weeks and will be interested in how the
> accelration feels, if there is a charger on it by
> that time.

Got stopped at Okemos Road crossing on the way home early this morning,was sure it was a freight. 364 goes rolling by, a Charger at both ends. I glanced at the car clock: 12:23 am already 3:01 late at Durand with 24 miles to go before getting there.