Missouri Amtrak Service

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normalthings
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Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Post by normalthings »

DaveKCMO wrote: Wed Aug 05, 2020 3:54 pm New trains are arriving and should be in service soon! I believe these are semi-fixed trainsets, so you won't have one crappy coach and a brand new one in the same consist.

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An Amtrak Engineer told me UP requires a minimum number of axles per train. Assuming that hasn’t changed, they will still have to carry those random old baggage and passenger cars along.
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Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

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Intresting, wonder why that is?
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Chris Stritzel
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Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

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normalthings wrote: Wed Aug 05, 2020 7:32 pm
An Amtrak Engineer told me UP requires a minimum number of axles per train. Assuming that hasn’t changed, they will still have to carry those random old baggage and passenger cars along.
That'll look trashy. You have all the new and shiny stuff and then the ugly.
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Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

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Chris Stritzel wrote: Wed Aug 05, 2020 7:57 pm
normalthings wrote: Wed Aug 05, 2020 7:32 pm
An Amtrak Engineer told me UP requires a minimum number of axles per train. Assuming that hasn’t changed, they will still have to carry those random old baggage and passenger cars along.
That'll look trashy. You have all the new and shiny stuff and then the ugly.
He said the State of Missouri only pays for or allows so many revenue cars on the River Runner. Number of axles for MODOT ‘s revenue cars and the minimum UP allows has to be filled somehow so they pickup old junk
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Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Post by shinatoo »

normalthings wrote: Wed Aug 05, 2020 8:54 pm
Chris Stritzel wrote: Wed Aug 05, 2020 7:57 pm
normalthings wrote: Wed Aug 05, 2020 7:32 pm
An Amtrak Engineer told me UP requires a minimum number of axles per train. Assuming that hasn’t changed, they will still have to carry those random old baggage and passenger cars along.
That'll look trashy. You have all the new and shiny stuff and then the ugly.
He said the State of Missouri only pays for or allows so many revenue cars on the River Runner. Number of axles for MODOT ‘s revenue cars and the minimum UP allows has to be filled somehow so they pickup old junk
I assume they are prohibited from moving any kind of freight?
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Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

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shinatoo wrote: Thu Aug 06, 2020 10:23 am
normalthings wrote: Wed Aug 05, 2020 8:54 pm
Chris Stritzel wrote: Wed Aug 05, 2020 7:57 pm

That'll look trashy. You have all the new and shiny stuff and then the ugly.
He said the State of Missouri only pays for or allows so many revenue cars on the River Runner. Number of axles for MODOT ‘s revenue cars and the minimum UP allows has to be filled somehow so they pickup old junk
I assume they are prohibited from moving any kind of freight?
Image

Amtrak once had a vibrant freight business. They've pulled roadrailers, refrigerated cars, and mail/materials cars. IIRC, it fell apart due to freight railroad complaints (imho those are fair), time/complexity, negative schedule impacts, etc. Upon further review, it appears that the freight cars couldn't keep up with increasing speeds on the Amtrak network either.

https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/ ... ?1,1676850
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Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

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normalthings wrote: Thu Aug 06, 2020 10:58 am
shinatoo wrote: Thu Aug 06, 2020 10:23 am
normalthings wrote: Wed Aug 05, 2020 8:54 pm

He said the State of Missouri only pays for or allows so many revenue cars on the River Runner. Number of axles for MODOT ‘s revenue cars and the minimum UP allows has to be filled somehow so they pickup old junk
I assume they are prohibited from moving any kind of freight?
Image

Amtrak once had a vibrant freight business. They've pulled roadrailers, refrigerated cars, and mail/materials cars. IIRC, it fell apart due to freight railroad complaints (imho those are fair), time/complexity, negative schedule impacts, etc. Upon further review, it appears that the freight cars couldn't keep up with increasing speeds on the Amtrak network either.

https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/ ... ?1,1676850
Thanks. Very interesting.
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Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

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Not super thrilled about these. There is a lot of exposed stuff on the underside of the car that will be susceptible to snow build up and freezing.

The seats also look uncomfortable...


(I have a picture of the interior....but trying to post it it gives me the message the board attachment quota has been reached)
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Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

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T_Wero wrote: Mon Aug 10, 2020 10:36 am Not super thrilled about these. There is a lot of exposed stuff on the underside of the car that will be susceptible to snow build up and freezing.

The seats also look uncomfortable...


(I have a picture of the interior....but trying to post it it gives me the message the board attachment quota has been reached)
Use imgur
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Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Post by DaveKCMO »

If the seats are the same as Brightline, they were very comfortable (although those trips aren't very long).
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Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

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European travel reviewer tries Union Station and the River Runner.

https://youtu.be/GWwlHeP-66M
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Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

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Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

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Amtrak Midwest has started testing the new "Venture" Rail Cars up in Michigan.
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Photos from Railfan and Railroad Magazine on Twitter: https://twitter.com/railfanmag/status/1 ... 5132869633 and MDOT Rail on Twitter.

Video: https://youtu.be/_Fg2VXNiIWI?t=27
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Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

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Interior pics of the new cars:

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Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

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DaveKCMO wrote: Sun Feb 07, 2021 6:30 pm Interior pics of the new cars:

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I'm looking forward to these going into service. Much more modern looking.

Now if only we could get the speed increased, then I would be very happy.
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Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

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Chris Stritzel wrote: Sun Feb 07, 2021 7:28 pm
DaveKCMO wrote: Sun Feb 07, 2021 6:30 pm Interior pics of the new cars:

Image
I'm looking forward to these going into service. Much more modern looking.

Now if only we could get the speed increased, then I would be very happy.
Add a mid-day train and you've got yourself a service.
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Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Post by earthling »

Need to also improve reliability of service but difficult when rails shared with freight industry.
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Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

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and shorter stops at stations
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Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Post by DaveKCMO »

earthling wrote: Mon Feb 08, 2021 9:54 am Need to also improve reliability of service but difficult when rails shared with freight industry.
This is on the new Amtrak' CEO's list. Legally Amtrak has priority, but there isn't a good enforcement mechanism in place. They've gone so far as to publish a public score card of "host railroads" (UP hosts most of the River Runner, BNSF hosts most of the Chief).

https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/proj ... d-FAQs.pdf
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Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

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smh wrote: Mon Feb 08, 2021 8:38 am
Chris Stritzel wrote: Sun Feb 07, 2021 7:28 pm
DaveKCMO wrote: Sun Feb 07, 2021 6:30 pm Interior pics of the new cars:

Image
I'm looking forward to these going into service. Much more modern looking.

Now if only we could get the speed increased, then I would be very happy.
Add a mid-day train and you've got yourself a service.
Amtrak has been peddling a bunch of new routes in Ohio

https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/new ... cincinnati
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