Probably for at least 4-5 years because Washington State can't put them to use on the Seattle to Portland corridor until the track and capacity upgrade projects are completed which will allow them to add 2 additional daily trains. The situation is likely to be rather complicated by the operational problems of having only 2 Talgo trainsets with no reserve which means Amtrak will have to provide Horizon or, in a few years, bi-level corridor cars (maybe) when one of the trainsets has to be serviced or inspected and go off-line for a day or two. The second is the political scene in Wisconsin which could be quite volatile for the next several years with Gov. Walker facing what is likely to be one nasty mud fight of a recall election.
Actually there have been virtually zero landslide cancellations so far this winter.
We'll see how long this "No Spare Needed" will last..
Building a spare set for only two active would really be a massive waste of money when you can just use one of the spare consists of other cars stationed in Chicago anyway. Of course the Talgos will have to go for inspections etc. every once in a while, but making the substitute run with Horizons or other cars is really no problem, especially as long as the trains are unreserved. It's not like there's anyting keeping them from occationally using other equipment than Talgos when needed. What's the problem?
That's too bad.
**Ahem** Still are going to do, you mean. There would be a handful of curves along the line between Milwaukee & Madison, but the tilt mechanisms are for the section from La Crosse to Saint Paul, along Old Man River. It would enable to train to have a higher average speed, so that the train doesn't have to slow quite so much for each of the curves along this section.
Actually there is one other small issue, the Superliner replacements have no Business class cars. So Amtrak must stop selling those special seats and refund any monies for seats already sold.
Wait! When did that happen?
Alan, you are correct. The idea of breaking up the existing trainsets and adding new cars has been discussed, but apparently it can't be done under the FRA waiver governing the existing Talgos.
hboy:
