As reported earlier, I now have a grandaughter in Raleigh. In response to a $7.90 "rail sale" fare, I returned to JAX on #91 Monday evening.
Well, Monday evening turned into a 1:30 am Tuesday morning departure...but, no big deal!! The "big deal" was the ride. I've ridden trains for both pleasure and a living for nearly 25 years, but this was the only time that I've really been concerned for the train's safety!.....Either the 160 miles of CSX track between Raleigh and Columbia, SC was the poorest quality on the system, or the two Amfleet coaches that I sat in, #25115, and #25004, had totally worn their underframe and suspensions out. I've had smoother rides mud bogging on a gravel road....seriously!! I tend to fault the cars....these were two absolute beasts. There was so much up and down, and/or side to side movement...I was convinced that we'd derail at 79 mph. These coaches actually, honest to God, bounced so dramatically, that they unhinged locked fold down trays.
Now, from Columbia, SC on into Jacksonville, the ride was 90 percent smoother...telling me that track was a lot of the issue...but, there was still far too much vibration in the coaches to make me comfortable.
I did get hold of the mechanical supervisor in Hialeah(Miami), suggesting that he pull #25004 and 25115 from the consist for a major inspection, if not heavy shop work.
I wonder if this wasn't a "pin up" train, put together at Sunnyside Yard...beacuse the time table pockets in the rear of the coaches contained "Lake Shore Limited" schedules, rather than "Atlantic Coast Service"
Either way, Amtrak didn't score any points on this ride for many reasons. By the way, #91 arrived in JAX at 11:00 am....3 hours and 17 minutes late!
Finally home......from the "Florida Funnel"
Foodman 53
Well, Monday evening turned into a 1:30 am Tuesday morning departure...but, no big deal!! The "big deal" was the ride. I've ridden trains for both pleasure and a living for nearly 25 years, but this was the only time that I've really been concerned for the train's safety!.....Either the 160 miles of CSX track between Raleigh and Columbia, SC was the poorest quality on the system, or the two Amfleet coaches that I sat in, #25115, and #25004, had totally worn their underframe and suspensions out. I've had smoother rides mud bogging on a gravel road....seriously!! I tend to fault the cars....these were two absolute beasts. There was so much up and down, and/or side to side movement...I was convinced that we'd derail at 79 mph. These coaches actually, honest to God, bounced so dramatically, that they unhinged locked fold down trays.
Now, from Columbia, SC on into Jacksonville, the ride was 90 percent smoother...telling me that track was a lot of the issue...but, there was still far too much vibration in the coaches to make me comfortable.
I did get hold of the mechanical supervisor in Hialeah(Miami), suggesting that he pull #25004 and 25115 from the consist for a major inspection, if not heavy shop work.
I wonder if this wasn't a "pin up" train, put together at Sunnyside Yard...beacuse the time table pockets in the rear of the coaches contained "Lake Shore Limited" schedules, rather than "Atlantic Coast Service"
Either way, Amtrak didn't score any points on this ride for many reasons. By the way, #91 arrived in JAX at 11:00 am....3 hours and 17 minutes late!
Finally home......from the "Florida Funnel"
Foodman 53