I understand that the main reason why Amtrak runs single-level cars is because of low tunnels around New York and Baltimore. Clearly, embiggening these tunnels would be expensive. But I read (skimmed) the Amtrak long-term plan and was surprised to find no discussion at all of plans to enlarge or bypass these tunnels -- not even an explanation of why it would be infeasible.
I understand that there are several tunnels reaching their end-of-life, and several new tunnel projects in various stages of planning/stagnation, But nowhere have I read of plans for these tunnels to be high enough to accomodate dual-level railcars (Superliners, or double-stacked shipping containers).
Since dual-levels are cheaper per-passenger to buy and to haul and they need shorter platforms, and going all-dual-level would significantly reduce the number of different models of cars that Amtrak would need to service, I am surprised to find little (no?) discussion of finding a way to make more routes Superliner-capable.
Is there a discussion somewhere of what work would have to be done to make the various East-coast trains into double-deckers?
I understand that there are several tunnels reaching their end-of-life, and several new tunnel projects in various stages of planning/stagnation, But nowhere have I read of plans for these tunnels to be high enough to accomodate dual-level railcars (Superliners, or double-stacked shipping containers).
Since dual-levels are cheaper per-passenger to buy and to haul and they need shorter platforms, and going all-dual-level would significantly reduce the number of different models of cars that Amtrak would need to service, I am surprised to find little (no?) discussion of finding a way to make more routes Superliner-capable.
Is there a discussion somewhere of what work would have to be done to make the various East-coast trains into double-deckers?