High speed train being tested in Illinois

[Superliner Diner]

An out-of-service Amtrak train will roar through a sliver of Downstate this month at 110 mph as part of a first-of-its-kind test of satellite technology crucial to the introduction of high-speed passenger operations in Illinois.

Full story here.

 

[Superliner Diner]

By "regular Amtrak consist" I mean Horizon equipment, which is the mainstay of service on Midwestern corridor routes. In this case it will operate over the same trackage as 300, 303, 304, 305, and the Texas Eagle use.

 

[Amfleet]

What kind of locomotive was it. I'm guessing it was either a P-40 or P-42 which are limited to 103 mph. :huh:

 

[Miami Joe]

The speed limits of a loco (P-series) are set by the maintenance personel.

If all safety conditions are met, there is no reason the speed limiter cannot be adjusted for higher speed. It only takes a few minutes to set a new speed limit and gauge the wheels to ensure accurate speed for the computer and speedometer.

Keep in mind, Amtrak chooses to limit the HP of the engine to 4250. This can also be changed with a few keystrokes and adjustments. Engines frequently come in below 4250 HP and after running diagnostics for possible defects, the parameters are changed to bring the HP back to specs.

B)

 

[Viewliner]

Sounds interesting, I wonder how it will turn out, and if this could be a sign of things to come. B)

 

[Viewliner]

Illinois to test 110-mph operation next week

The Illinois Department of Transportation will run an Amtrak train at 110 mph on October 31 to test a completed section of the positive train control system on a high-speed route being readied between Springfield and Dwight, Ill.

The train – two café cars and one coach with a P42 on each end – will sprint between Normal and Ballard siding, just north of Lexington, Ill., said John Schwalbach, chief of the bureau of railroads for IDOT. It is expected to reach 110 mph for five or six miles of its 16-mile run, he said.

The runs will evaluate the PTC system’s location determination system, Schwalbach said. No other tests are planned for this year.

The testing comes amid news that the project is several months behind schedule. Officials initially had hoped to have improvements to the Union Pacific-owned line ready this month.

Virtually all track and grade-crossing protection improvements necessary for 110-mph running have been completed, Schwalbach said. But the PTC system, being built by Lockheed-Martin, won’t be ready until July or August. Then IDOT can seek Federal Railroad Administration approval before beginning 110-mph operation.

“Most of the delays are making sure that we’ve got all the safety issues covered,” Schwalbach said. “You would expect it. It comes as no surprise to anyone who has been involved in managing a project of this complexity.”

IDOT expects to begin 110-mph service using conventional Amtrak equipment. Chicago-St. Louis transit times will be reduced to about 4 hours, 45 minutes from the current 5.5 hours under 79-mph operation, IDOT says.

The bidding process is on hold for new trainsets that feature more amenities and faster acceleration than conventional Amtrak trains, Schwalbach said. Amtrak’s financial condition is partly to blame.

Is IDOT interested in the 150-mph JetTrain turbine-electric locomotive and train being built by Bombardier?

“At first blush, it fits the bill,” Schwalbach said. “But we’re not in the position at this point in Illinois to say this is what we need. Is that out there as a potential candidate? Sure it is.”

Eventually, IDOT hopes to extend the 110-mph running from Springfield to St. Louis as part of the nine-state Midwest High Speed Rail Initiative.

Click here for the full story.

 

[Miami Joe]

Basically what you have here is an ATP(automatic train protection) system.

This is a system used on mass transit systems. They will break the track into sections(blocks) and when one train is occupying a block, if another should enter the same block, the second train will come to a stop. The only way the second train can move again is for the first train to exit the block or manually operate the train at a reduced speed. PeopleMovers also operate with this type of system, which allows the cars to operate without drivers.

B)