west point
Engineer
Several points
1. Hate the necessity for a study on the Amfleet life expectancy but study will quiet persons who try to claim Amtrak is not telling truth about needed replacement or major overhaul..
2. Amfleet - 2s have a much higher mileage than -1s. See fleet strategy plan. So expect new coaches ( V-2s ? ) to replace them on LD first with many of the -2s going to the NEC.
3. Neurodem is on point about the eastern LD services. First of course is making Meteor, Star, & Palmetto all 15 - 17 car trains all to Miami during higher travel times. The number of passengers at TPA exceeds Atlanta by a large amount.
4. The same with the LSL with provision to run a split second section Albany - CHI whenever loads demand.
5. Daily Cardinal appears to be effective maybe starting during summers ?
6. The Crescent situation is a real bucket of worms. There is just not the demand south of Atlanta. The PRIIA study confirms the numbers.
7. Somehow Amtrak needs to solve the Atlanta situation. probably would require 1 to 2 additional track switches and a local switch crew.
8. Drop ATL _ NOL down to 2 - Coaches a lounge, 1 sleeper, baggage, & 1 reliable loco would decrease operating costs. The Mardi Gras load bump could easily be cover with more cars & loco if necessary.
9. Atlanta north as well might need 2 - 3 locos, Baggage, baggage dorm, 6 - 7 coaches, diner, lounge, 4 - 5 sleepers. These are based on past loads for SOU RR during high traffic times. Also SOU often ran 1 - 2 extra sections at Holidays. Note. All these southbound LD trains might originate / terminate cars at WASH / PHL as done past practices to solve any NYP space problems.
1. Hate the necessity for a study on the Amfleet life expectancy but study will quiet persons who try to claim Amtrak is not telling truth about needed replacement or major overhaul..
2. Amfleet - 2s have a much higher mileage than -1s. See fleet strategy plan. So expect new coaches ( V-2s ? ) to replace them on LD first with many of the -2s going to the NEC.
3. Neurodem is on point about the eastern LD services. First of course is making Meteor, Star, & Palmetto all 15 - 17 car trains all to Miami during higher travel times. The number of passengers at TPA exceeds Atlanta by a large amount.
4. The same with the LSL with provision to run a split second section Albany - CHI whenever loads demand.
5. Daily Cardinal appears to be effective maybe starting during summers ?
6. The Crescent situation is a real bucket of worms. There is just not the demand south of Atlanta. The PRIIA study confirms the numbers.
7. Somehow Amtrak needs to solve the Atlanta situation. probably would require 1 to 2 additional track switches and a local switch crew.
8. Drop ATL _ NOL down to 2 - Coaches a lounge, 1 sleeper, baggage, & 1 reliable loco would decrease operating costs. The Mardi Gras load bump could easily be cover with more cars & loco if necessary.
9. Atlanta north as well might need 2 - 3 locos, Baggage, baggage dorm, 6 - 7 coaches, diner, lounge, 4 - 5 sleepers. These are based on past loads for SOU RR during high traffic times. Also SOU often ran 1 - 2 extra sections at Holidays. Note. All these southbound LD trains might originate / terminate cars at WASH / PHL as done past practices to solve any NYP space problems.