Switching from Nippon Sharyo to seimens-possible?

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Steve4031

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I don't think we will ever see a bi-level from Nippon Sharyo. I was wondering how feasible it would be to switch to the Seimans equipment. I don't think it would need any modifications to be used in the Midwest and California.
 
Steve4031 said:
I don't think we will ever see a bi-level from Nippon Sharyo. I was wondering how feasible it would be to switch to the Seimans equipment. I don't think it would need any modifications to be used in the Midwest and California.
Click to expand...
Well, it would need traps (which is allowed for in the car design) at the very least, but what is really required for "full length level boarding" would be high platforms, while most other existing equipment in those locations (Metra gallery cars, Superliners, Surfliners, Talgo, etc.) is set up for low-level boarding. Refitting the station platforms - even assuming it is practical - would likely cost more than the car order itself. In addition, the single-level Siemens cars have lower capacity than the stillborn bi-level specification.

While the Siemens car design would technically work, of course, it is not really what the states need or want for their trains and, again, even with modifications not the most practical solution.
 
The NGEC meeting minutes were reporting ongoing negotiations with Nippon-Sharyo over the bi-level order, with little indication (specification changes) as to what those talks entailed and no further updates; Indeed, they have been rather evasive and not very forthcoming over the entire issue. That's usually not a very good sign at all, but at this point we don't really know how this will play out.
 
A Voice said:
Steve4031 said:
I don't think we will ever see a bi-level from Nippon Sharyo. I was wondering how feasible it would be to switch to the Seimans equipment. I don't think it would need any modifications to be used in the Midwest and California.
Click to expand...
Well, it would need traps (which is allowed for in the car design) at the very least, but what is really required for "full length level boarding" would be high platforms, while most other existing equipment in those locations (Metra gallery cars, Superliners, Surfliners, Talgo, etc.) is set up for low-level boarding. Refitting the station platforms - even assuming it is practical - would likely cost more than the car order itself. In addition, the single-level Siemens cars have lower capacity than the stillborn bi-level specification.

While the Siemens car design would technically work, of course, it is not really what the states need or want for their trains and, again, even with modifications not the most practical solution.
Click to expand...
http://www.highspeed-rail.org/Documents/brightline-Coach-Siemens-2.pdf

Apparently they are PRIIA spec'd. Specifically, page 5 reads "Provisions designed in the car body to mount a lower level step assembly and a trap door to allow low level boarding". So really, running traps on this new equipment would be no different than what's already being done along these routes with horizons and amfleets. With that said, I agree with you that obviously single level = less capacity vs bilevel.

Time will tell what comes of it, but I wouldn't complain about brightline equipment running on the wolverine...it's too bad we couldn't follow through with the Wisconsin Talgos, but that's a different topic.
 
Is there a way to get the funding deadline for these rail cars extended? Failing that, what are potential alternative funding sources for them?
 

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