Mine would be a retooling of closed factories and rehiring of unemployed workers in a jobs program.
Are you paying for this? There isn't any money elsewhere to do it.Mine would be a retooling of closed factories and rehiring of unemployed workers in a jobs program.
Money or funding is the issue. There are 2 components of dealing with equipment shortages and reliability.Mine would be a retooling of closed factories and rehiring of unemployed workers in a jobs program.
The corridor bi-level cars have not been called Superliners, so they will likely have a different label. Once the lease with Amtrak is up, it would make sense for CalTrains to return the Superliner coach cars to Amtrak so CA can have a more uniform fleet of coach cars. But it likely will be later 2016 or 2017 before enough of the new bi-levels are delivered to free up the Superliner coach cars.So when the Superliner IIIs start coming off the line, can we expect the normal Amtrak coaches on the Pacific Surfliner to go back to more traditional Amtrak trains?
Also, could there be any possibility of using an additional order of new Viewliners to replace one of the long distances like CONO and use it's Superliners to add to other western trains, or bring back a discontinued route like the Pioneer?
If we can't get a serious multi-year funding conduit out of Congress, then we'll have to "make do". Ugh.So when the Superliner IIIs start coming off the line, can we expect the normal Amtrak coaches on the Pacific Surfliner to go back to more traditional Amtrak trains?
Also, could there be any possibility of using an additional order of new Viewliners to replace one of the long distances like CONO and use it's Superliners to add to other western trains, or bring back a discontinued route like the Pioneer?
Back in the 19th century, companies did on-the-job training. And they're going to have to do it again.The production was reportedly delayed in part because CAF had difficulty in finding qualified workers and welders to hire.
I've heard them nicknamed "Surfliner IIs" because they seem to be an evolution of the Surfliner design. The Midwest may not like that name, though.The corridor bi-level cars have not been called Superliners, so they will likely have a different label.
Even if they come earlier, there aren't that many Superliner coaches on the short corridors in California. Only seven, I believe? There are more Amfleets and Horizons (though still not very many) and California will want to return those first.Once the lease with Amtrak is up, it would make sense for CalTrains to return the Superliner coach cars to Amtrak so CA can have a more uniform fleet of coach cars. But it likely will be later 2016 or 2017 before enough of the new bi-levels are delivered to free up the Superliner coach cars.
Naw, Russia's still larger by land mass.No wonder we're well on our way to becoming the world's largest banana republic.
I think I despaired sometime back in late 2000, early 2001. Now I'm just trying to figure out how we rebuild -- what bits we can save and build on.If I look at Amtrak, I'm optimistic. If I look at Congress, I almost despair for my country.
Surfliner IIs would make sense for California. But, yes, Surfliners does not exactly work for the Midwest. Especially during a blizzard. My guess is that Amtrak and the states will come up with a new name, something bland and safe but also vaguely patriotic sounding.I've heard them nicknamed "Surfliner IIs" because they seem to be an evolution of the Surfliner design. The Midwest may not like that name, though.The corridor bi-level cars have not been called Superliners, so they will likely have a different label.
Even if they come earlier, there aren't that many Superliner coaches on the short corridors in California. Only seven, I believe? There are more Amfleets and Horizons (though still not very many) and California will want to return those first.Once the lease with Amtrak is up, it would make sense for CalTrains to return the Superliner coach cars to Amtrak so CA can have a more uniform fleet of coach cars. But it likely will be later 2016 or 2017 before enough of the new bi-levels are delivered to free up the Superliner coach cars.
You are awfully eager to yank the Superliners away from routes that can use them and people that ride them. As noted, Amtrak will have more Superliner coach cars to draw on for the LD trains once the 130 corridor bi-levels are delivered. The sleepers are reportedly are the critical item. The 2012 PIP report did propose to rebuild the Superliner trans-dorms to add more rooms for revenue sale. That may a more effective use of limited capital funds to bump up sleeper room capacity on the Superliner trains while waiting for the capital funding for a major Superliner replacement order.But in that case, I like the concept of replacing the two Eastern bi-level trains with single-level cars. That would be the City of New Orleans and the Capitol Ltd (and maybe the proposed Sunset Ltd shuttle New Orleans-San Antonio while we're at it).
That's what to do only if Amtrak can't get enuff long-term funding to place an order for the hundreds of Superliners needed. And that continues to time-disgraced tradition of just barely getting by, robbing Peter to pay Paul, and by using chewing gum and baling wire to keep the operation going
I always flinch when I see these suggestions to "single level" the CONO and the CL. In my opinion that would downgrade these trains. The Superliners are far superior to any Amtrak single-level equipment. Any train that doesn't use the Corridor or enter NYP should be Superliner equipped. The next step for Amtrak is to order a bunch of single level coaches and lounges (from CAF if the Viewliner II's are ever delivered and are up to snuff) and then tack a Superliner LD order to the Midwest/California bi-level order from Nippon-Sharyo.You are awfully eager to yank the Superliners away from routes that can use them and people that ride them. As noted, Amtrak will have more Superliner coach cars to draw on for the LD trains once the 130 corridor bi-levels are delivered. The sleepers are reportedly are the critical item. The 2012 PIP report did propose to rebuild the Superliner trans-dorms to add more rooms for revenue sale. That may a more effective use of limited capital funds to bump up sleeper room capacity on the Superliner trains while waiting for the capital funding for a major Superliner replacement order.But in that case, I like the concept of replacing the two Eastern bi-level trains with single-level cars. That would be the City of New Orleans and the Capitol Ltd (and maybe the proposed Sunset Ltd shuttle New Orleans-San Antonio while we're at it).
That's what to do only if Amtrak can't get enuff long-term funding to place an order for the hundreds of Superliners needed. And that continues to time-disgraced tradition of just barely getting by, robbing Peter to pay Paul, and by using chewing gum and baling wire to keep the operation going
It's having the skilled workers where the jobs are. And once this contract is done, if there is no more job in a city with what then would be excess welders.It's a sad, sorry state of affairs in this country when a manufacturer has to curtail production due to a lack of skilled welders. No wonder we're well on our way to becoming the world's largest banana republic.
Midwest would probably like to call them Cornfield Liners or some such :giggle:I've heard them nicknamed "Surfliner IIs" because they seem to be an evolution of the Surfliner design. The Midwest may not like that name, though.
I beg to disagree about Sleepers, specially when it comes to Roomettes. I think the Superliners are far inferior to Viewliners when it comes to those accommodations. If I had my druthers I'd stop Amtrak from ordering any further Superliner Sleepers. Additionally I'd like them to go back to short domes in lieu of Superliner Lounges so that we get back to having some forward view too.I always flinch when I see these suggestions to "single level" the CONO and the CL. In my opinion that would downgrade these trains. The Superliners are far superior to any Amtrak single-level equipment. Any train that doesn't use the Corridor or enter NYP should be Superliner equipped. The next step for Amtrak is to order a bunch of single level coaches and lounges (from CAF if the Viewliner II's are ever delivered and are up to snuff) and then tack a Superliner LD order to the Midwest/California bi-level order from Nippon-Sharyo.
Amtrak leased cars for quite a while. It turned out to be more expensive.Why not approach International Lease Finance Corporation(IFLC) about leasing equipment.
Yes, maybe IFLC is better known for leasing commercial airliners. But then maybe they have
never been approached about rail equipment.
If I we ordering equiment for Amtrak, I'd order 1000 pieces of equipment. Yes we'd have to figure
out the proper combination of coaches, sleepers, diners, etc.
Then we add equipment to existing trains, bring the SL and Cardinal to daily service then
start expanding with new routes.
Hey, Elmira's a pretty nice town, albeit kind of hollowed out due to previous business closures. And it's less than an hour's drive away from Ithaca.And who wants to work in Elmira?
ILFC has a business model based on there actually being a market for their equipment. If one airline gives up their fleet, they can send the planes to another airline somewhere else in the world.Why not approach International Lease Finance Corporation(IFLC) about leasing equipment.
Yes, maybe IFLC is better known for leasing commercial airliners. But then maybe they have
never been approached about rail equipment.
If I we ordering equiment for Amtrak, I'd order 1000 pieces of equipment. Yes we'd have to figure
out the proper combination of coaches, sleepers, diners, etc.
Then we add equipment to existing trains, bring the SL and Cardinal to daily service then
start expanding with new routes.
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