An friend who is a recently retired conductor did recount a story where an OBS crewmember DID get put off. IIRC alcohol and belligerence were involved.
While a bit OT, There is a photo series in John Labbe's "Railroads in the Woods" showing reversing a logging skidder by pulling the brake rigging, then sending one truck up a side track. Can be done. Should be done???
My guess is the way things will play out is as a stand-alone locomotive they will be worthless due to too little range and too much recharging time. As a acceleration booster and regenerative braking energy recovery unit paired with a diesel-electric unit on heavy trains they may have some value.
I traveled BC PDX-SAC in March. Dinner was great but there was only a 5:00 pm seating available by the time I made my reservation. I think they were also serving coach pax... but again first/come first/served with limited availability.
The big question is what level of baggage service is part of Amtrak's passenger service mandate that the taxpayers are funding? Of course that answer is at best murky due to the poor definition of Amtrak's mission by Congress.
1. Should full baggage service be provided at all stations for all...
IMHO, a long distance link that might be very busy would be a Bakersfield - Barstow - Parker - Wickenburg - Phoenix - Tuscon. The big advantage is serving the San Joaquin valley to Phoenix where airline competition is not as great. Connect with SWC for LA at Barstow, and/or a bus link Mojave -...
I did not check the SEA section but between Christmas and New Year the PDX section was lounge/coach/coach-bag/sleeper. And both directions to ESM were ON TIME!
Its pretty rare for the PDX section to have delays for track issues, usually if it is late it is due to being held for Coast Starlight...
Other considerations are the true beginning and ending points of the trip, and the access and cost to and from the relative train or bus station and the airport. Is parking needed? Cost? Is a rental car needed? available at the train/bus station? Higher or lower cost than airport?
Personally I...
Update from a Sacramento TV station... The person (victim) is awake and able to communicate, claims he would never have jumped though has little memory of the incident.
Amazing recovery so far from the injuries, I hope he continues to improve...
The 50 lb rule should be a hard rule, I read a nstb report on an Amtrak derailment that occurred in Canada (Cant remember the train right know, think it was Detroit-Toronto), the conclusion was that many injuries were caused by flying luggage and a strong recommendation for the 50 lb limit was...
I suspect that the NEED (as apposed to a nice to have) for a call center had dropped dramatically with online purchase of tickets, so where 10 years ago 2 centers made sense today only one does.
In a perfect world where union and management could sing in harmony (rather than alternating...
Turning a train...
1. One big freaking turntable.
2. Uncouple the train, switch each car and locomotive and turn on a normal sized turntable, reassemble the consist, couple, and go a couple days later.
3. A balloon track.
4. A wye with long enough legs to turn the entire train.
5. A wye with...