Passenger Trains > Viewliner II test train out of CHI yesterday

IDTX 4615 and 4633

Three IDTX Coaches

Viewliner II sleepers 61041-61031-61011

Departed Chicago 12APR at 1400, report says went down around Carbondale, IL.

Sounds more like new coach test, with viewliners to fill out consist for signal requirments.

GenePoon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> IDTX 4615 and 4633
>
> Three IDTX Coaches
>
> Viewliner II sleepers 61041-61031-61011
>
> Departed Chicago 12APR at 1400, report says went
> down around Carbondale, IL.

These are baggage cars - not Viewliner II Sleeper cars aren't they? I am looking at the roster numbers.......They are often used for filling in as extra axle count cars. 

You guys are right. Those are VII bags. Sleepers are 62000s. My error.

testing higher speeds?

The didn't take the Chargers and new coaches out when it was snowing hard in February did they ? 

Trains has a news article behind the paywall.  The article states that the train went down to Effingham.  The purpose of the trip was to test how the Siemens cars would perform in activating the crossing shunts.  I am really disgusted that this is even an issue in 2021.  If there are still problems after the test runs, then Illinois and CN need to get together and develop a plan where passenger trains can activitate the crossing gates through the positive train control system.  I am not advocating for 90 mph running at this point, thought that would be nice.  IIRC there are areas south of Effingham where there are speed restrictions of 60 mph for passenger trains.  

I am not advocating for 90 mph running at this
> point, thought that would be nice.  IIRC there
> are areas south of Effingham where there are speed
> restrictions of 60 mph for passenger trains.  



---yes, 70MPH over all crossings between Centraila and Stunkle Road (1st road crossing south of Homewood) and between Kimundy and Champaign 60MPH. Not sure if this has been remedied. Using Superliners allows 79MPH operation.

The worst restriction, the 60MPH one, is in an area that allowed timetable speeds of 100MPH in Illinois Central days during much of the 40s and 50s. Guess newer is not always better.

Posted from Android

Thanks for the additional information. This grade crossing activation issue has gone on too long, another major example also being on CN...but the heritage of that line differed (i.e., not IC).

If a fix is needed, who pays? CN?
Amtrak? It may depend on contract language, ultimately. I suspect that the State will wind up on the hook.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/14/21 07:52 by GenePoon.

With the current political climate supportive of infrastructure, a joint venture between Amtrak and CN could work.  I also posted on Amtrak Unlimited.  A knowledgeable poster over there stated that new shunts could be installed.  This would be cheaper than messing with the PTC system.  

the issue isn't the new profile of the wheels  they have been using the last twenty years?

GenePoon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> If a fix is needed, who pays? CN?
> Amtrak? It may depend on contract language,
> ultimately. I suspect that the State will wind up
> on the hook.

Maybe the Feds and State of Illinois will pay to upgrade CN's Champagin Sub as they did UP's Joliet Sub.

How can they test the new cars for crossing activation if
the baggage cars are tagging along?

I don't think there would be any way to tell which cars
are shunting.

they use the same wheels ?

Englewood Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> How can they test the new cars for crossing
> activation if
> the baggage cars are tagging along?
>
> I don't think there would be any way to tell which
> cars
> are shunting.


Understand that the three baggage cars are set out over the area of the test.

Maybe to see if current axle count is adequate with IDTX cars in consist. 

Bnsf is having the same crossing/axle count issues in the California San Joaquin valley.

Posted from Android

Proud Foamer
OAKLEY, CA

Have any of the railroads or the FRA put anything out in writing
as to the cause of these activation failures? 

Not a railfan rumor from someone who
talked to someone who talked to a maintainer
who retired ten years ago.