OIG Report March 29, 2017

[RichardK]

There is much information here. However, one noteworthy point starts on page 32. Amtrak has not updated their fleet plans since 2012. In 2013 they bought 70 of the new electric locomotives for the Northeast Corridor. Their own projections indicated the need for only 56 locomotives resulting in excess expenditure of $167 million. Millions here, millions there, pretty soon they talking about real money that could have been put to good use.

Amtrak OIG report.pdf

 

[Hal]

There is much information here. However, one noteworthy point starts on page 32. Amtrak has not updated their fleet plans since 2012. In 2013 they bought 70 of the new electric locomotives for the Northeast Corridor. Their own projections indicated the need for only 56 locomotives resulting in excess expenditure of $167 million. Millions here, millions there, pretty soon they talking about real money that could have been put to good use.

No, Amtrak management projected they needed 70. The inspector general disagreed with the basis of that projection. Amtrak went ahead and ordered 70 anyway. Who was right? I would have to go with Amtrak management on that one.
The inspector general report should not be taken as gospel. They have to justify their existence.

 

[west point]

Well Amtrak is already down 2 ACS-64s. There can be no reason not to believe that more go down for one reason or another. It has been amazing how much on time the NERs have had lately. What delays have appeared to be from other than motor failures ?

Also the OIG report did not take into account the need for additional trains in the future or extra trains. The PTC reliability, check, & qualification rides, Also any extra trains especially around Thanksgiving.

 

[Hal]

Well Amtrak is already down 2 ACS-64s. There can be no reason not to believe that more go down for one reason or another. It has been amazing how much on time the NERs have had lately. What delays have appeared to be from other than motor failures ?

Also the OIG report did not take into account the need for additional trains in the future or extra trains. The PTC reliability, check, & qualification rides, Also any extra trains especially around Thanksgiving.

Yes, unfortunately there will be more attrition over time. What sense would it make to order only 56 engines when the fleet it was replacing was what, 60-65 engines, AEM-7 and HHP-8 combined count? As it was they were constantly running out of engines in the late afternoon, turning engines right off the inbounds. The inbound would come off, get coupled up to the next outbound. Many delays because the inbound was late or they found the inbound had to be shopped when they worked it up in the station, there is a checklist of tests that has to be done legally before an engine can be sent back out. In addition fewer engines means more wear and tear on each and less time to do maintenance. I don't see how the OIG came up with a projection of 56.