Rafi
Conductor
Suddenly I see a betting pool in this board's future. <grin>
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the order just for the shells? I assume Amtrak will place the modules in the shells as the modules are produced, so what cars roll off first will be based on what modules are constructed first. I agree that they will try to build modules for the diners first, but I think we will see all types coming out at once. The diner modules will probably take the longest to produce and install with sleepers, and dorms coming next and baggage modules being the fastest to build and install. That being said if a shell is completed I doubt Amtrak will hold it indefinitely until a particular module is completed they will most likely put in whatever is ready to be installed.Honestly, the diners are a race item. We could use the extra sleepers and baggage-dorms. But we NEED the diners. If the whole program goes kaput again, we need to have the diners online.How long is the period of time between when the first Viewliner and last Viewliner will likely be delivered?As for your second question, I'm sure that Amtrak could request a contract with those terms and conditions. However, they'd have to ensure that the target date for delivery of the first few new cars is shortly before the peak season and then hope that they stay on schedule.
(And remember that the regular sleepers and diners can probably be put in the middle of the order, with a few bag dorms at the beginning, if there's a question of how to configure the last of the baggage cars that will be delivered. Unless there's concern that the leaving the assembly line for roomette modules idle for a few months in the middle of the Viewliner project is going to have a meaningful impact on total costs. But even then, it might be possible to interleave the regular sleepers with the diners to help the roomette module output become a little closer to constant.)
IMHO it would be kind of silly and inefficient for Amtrak to get into the manufacturing business. They should provide the designs to whoever they contract with and let them deliver completed cars including installation of all modules.Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the order just for the shells? I assume Amtrak will place the modules in the shells as the modules are produced, so what cars roll off first will be based on what modules are constructed first. I agree that they will try to build modules for the diners first, but I think we will see all types coming out at once. The diner modules will probably take the longest to produce and install with sleepers, and dorms coming next and baggage modules being the fastest to build and install. That being said if a shell is completed I doubt Amtrak will hold it indefinitely until a particular module is completed they will most likely put in whatever is ready to be installed.
Way to resurect a year old topic.
More like 6 months, not a year.Way to resurect a year old topic.
And Alan just linked to it from another discussion, so it isn't completely random.More like 6 months, not a year.Way to resurect a year old topic.
Probably being taken for a joyride by the_traveler.3 of the 5 P40's stored at Ivy City for transfer to the Grove were missing this morning - not sure if they've left the area or are just getting shuffled around.
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