Search results

Hey so I came across some claims and I just wanted to check here. Is it true that Brightline intends on ordering Bistro or Cafe cars for the trainsets, likely after acquiring a fifth car for each trainset and after the Tampa extension, or is that just speculation?

No update from Gevo. I can try asking.

Currently waiting on an announcement about San Joaquins Venture cab car mainline testing tomorrow. BNSF has approved the tests; however, Union Pacific must also approve, as some of the track is operated by them.

I’m glad these acquisitions are taking place. Virginia also grabbed some track from NS that the future Commonwealth Corridor would run along between Ashland and Charlottesville. I wonder if the new Newport News station will see further upgrades to store an additional train or trains and more...

No, Amtrak was trying to test a Charger duo (346/347) on the Auto Train, which needed CSX approval since it was a test on their tracks. Complications with CSX pushed the test back on top of train-involved incidents, so Amtrak sent them somewhere else. The Chargers are still running on the other...

Because it’s still the freight operator’s tracks, so everything still needs to run through them. The same issue happened with the Auto Train and CSX that I previously mentioned, so Amtrak ended up sending the Chargers off somewhere else.

San Joaquins Venture cab car testing has once again been pushed to June 17th due to STILL waiting on the host railroad, BNSF, to approve the test. Amtrak can never rely on host railroads to do anything right away as showcased in previous examples, such as Charger testing on the Auto Train. 🤦‍♂️

I think it’s because of their older braking system. Despite the P40s being up to P42 standards now, I believe they’ve held on to the older braking system which is more compatible with the Autoracks. That’s why the P40s dominate the Auto Train, however a few P42s started showing up. In the...

That’s part of why the ALC-42s never tested on the Auto Train either. Complications with the host railroad (CSX) and the several incidents that Amtrak and CSX collectively had. So those Chargers just sat around in Lorton for a few months.

San Joaquins Venture cab car testing has been pushed to June 3rd due to issues with the host railroad. Late announcement but better than never.

Introducing the Siemens Sightseer Lounge! Can’t sit in your coach seat and window for a full trip? Tired of freight trains delaying your train? Need to get up and walk around? I sure do! So take a walk to the Venture Sightseer Lounge and enjoy a spacious railcar dedicated to viewing the...

I agree. When I saw the video of 9301 at the Siemens Mobility facility I thought the paint wasn’t done. It really sucks that it goes from those nice San Joaquins colors to a straight wall of blue.

That seems like such a weird way to do equipment ownership. I guess the WisDOT Ventures are just to guarantee equipment on the Hiawatha or something?

A picture has been floating around of an IDTX SC-44 receiving an ALC-42 nose attachment. This would be a great move is it’s real since the nose could be interchanged in the case of an accident. Hopefully IDTX takes this overhaul as an opportunity to align the paint with the Venture cars too...

It was transported to Oakland yesterday and already tested in the ACE Yard in Stockton. It will test on the mainline on May 28th.

San Joaquins Venture Cab Car Update: The Venture cab car has been deadheaded to Oakland, CA, where it will sit until more testing. It will test on the mainline on May 28th. San Joaquins railfanners, heads up! Information is courtesy of Mr. Lopez.

Thanks for finding these!

The best info I can give you is Gevo J Lopez on Facebook. He’s an engineer for Caltrans and says there were some software issues but all clearance tests were passed with flying colors.

I don’t see why they can’t do that. And yes they will be flexible, they’re getting a bunch of Airo sets.

That seems unlikely, Airo sets would be the better way to go so that the cars are interchangeable with other sets rather than having unique DMU sets. Additionally, Amtrak would have to go through more processes and orders with Siemens than they already are.