Passenger Trains > Trains piece on train washing

Reading this story, there are now four new train washers across the nation.  There are seven(!) to go!  Are all of the other locations out of service, or are some operating with older wash racks?  I find it hard to believe that there are only four operating wash racks for Amtrak in the nation, but then again, it is entirely possible.  I do question the dirty Crescent given that NOL has a wash rack.

The negligence to allow them all to wear out together, and/or to fail to maintain them, is, well, pathetic.

https://www.trains.com/pro/passenger/intercity/amtraks-chicago-train-wash-open-for-business-other-locations-to-follow/

 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/28/25 16:36 by Chessie1963.

LA's was working in late September when I was at the yard.

Thank you, bobs!

bobs Wrote:
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> LA's was working in late September when I was at
> the yard.

Amtrak Road Foreman and President showing a good safety example without required safety glasses and hard hat PPE protection , these car washes use acid to help remove the dirt , though not necessarily from the lower side of the Venture car 4212 . 

Seattle's new car wash didn't last long in service.  I understand it's waiting for parts now and hopefully it won't be too long before it goes operational again.  I hear Amtrak Seattle Maintenance is still short of mechanical people following the departure some time ago of something like 25 of them for Sound Transit's separate light rail maintenance program, but the ones remaining are trying to keep windows clean in rare cases when they can find time.

There is a car washer in Goleta, CA and it appears to work.

With Amtrak president Roger Harris (in the dark jacket) observing, terminal road foreman John Sloan points to grime still visible below clean windows on the lower portion of a Venture car that has just been washed. Other cars on the train were completely clean, so it was decided that the issue needed further investigation. 

This is just idiotic. What do you think happens when you neglect washing trains for many, many months on end? A ranch truck provides your answer Roger. Working trucks on ranches don't get washed and develop a distinct patina of dirt/dust/mud/grime over time. A patina the car wash doesn't do sh-t to clean. I see a developing patina on that train. The "issue" doesn't require further investigation, it requires a specialized precleaning prior to commencing the regular washer routine. But hey...do it the Amtrak Way and commission a dirt study.

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Thank you!

PHall Wrote:
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> There is a car washer in Goleta, CA and it appears
> to work.

Classic picture of am-management.
Hands in pockets, deer in headlights eyes, slack jaws, pointing at something simple they can't comprehend.
Everybody dressed like clowns in PPE. Everybody except the clownmaster.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/30/25 03:33 by Englewood.

HighballSoCal Wrote:
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> With Amtrak president Roger Harris (in the dark
> jacket) observing, terminal road foreman John
> Sloan points to grime still visible below clean
> windows on the lower portion of a Venture car that
> has just been washed. Other cars on the train were
> completely clean, so it was decided that the issue
> needed further investigation. 
>
> This is just idiotic. What do you think happens
> when you neglect washing trains for many, many
> months on end? A ranch truck provides your answer
> Roger. Working trucks on ranches don't get washed
> and develop a distinct patina of
> dirt/dust/mud/grime over time. A patina the car
> wash doesn't do sh-t to clean. I see a developing
> patina on that train. The "issue" doesn't require
> further investigation, it requires a specialized
> precleaning prior to commencing the regular washer
> routine. But hey...do it the Amtrak Way and
> commission a dirt study.

I mentioned this several years back when the trains weren't being washed regularly. Eventually it will produce a permanent shadow or grime that you can't get off. And the fact that this has happened on the Venture passenger cars and other new cars like the Viewliners, is painful to see. It just breaks down the exterior livery much faster as well.  

Englewood Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Classic picture of am-management.
> Hands in pockets, deer in headlights eyes, slack
> jaws, pointing at something simple they can't
> comprehend.
> Everybody dressed like clowns in PPE. Everybody
> except the clownmaster.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Englewood Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Classic picture of am-management.
> Hands in pockets, deer in headlights eyes, slack
> jaws, pointing at something simple they can't
> comprehend.
> Everybody dressed like clowns in PPE. Everybody
> except the clownmaster.

Isn't the term circus master?

DutchDragon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Englewood Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Classic picture of am-management.
> > Hands in pockets, deer in headlights eyes,
> slack
> > jaws, pointing at something simple they can't
> > comprehend.
> > Everybody dressed like clowns in PPE. Everybody
> > except the clownmaster.
>
> Isn't the term circus master?

Ringmaster.

Every Class one has hundreds of them.

Regards

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