ACS-64 Heads Up

[cirdan]

have they modified the cab car, or does the ACS-64 have the same remote control protocol as the AEM-7?

If so, can an ACS-64 and an AEM-7 be run in multiple?

 

[jis]

have they modified the cab car, or does the ACS-64 have the same remote control protocol as the AEM-7?

If so, can an ACS-64 and an AEM-7 be run in multiple?

I thought they were running as such in some of the test runs which had an AEM-7 at the other end. I did see test runs where both had pans up. Most of the rolling stock on the NEC is trainlined for operating with the controlling engine at the other end of the train.

 

[Fan Railer]

have they modified the cab car, or does the ACS-64 have the same remote control protocol as the AEM-7?

If so, can an ACS-64 and an AEM-7 be run in multiple?

Yes, the ACS can be multipled with the other locomotives on the NEC, and no, I do not think they have "modified" the cab car in the terms you're speaking of.

Here's a daytime video of the test train with the cab car heading up to Boston:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGudJwXv0K8

 

[bgiaquin]

The horn in the first video sure doesn't sound like any K5LA (in good repair) I've ever heard, but in the second video - the cab ride - it sounds typical. Same locomotive, right? The difference is so dramatic that it hardly seems to be the result of changed perspective.

It is a 3rd Generation K5LA.

 

[gmushial]

The horn in the first video sure doesn't sound like any K5LA (in good repair) I've ever heard, but in the second video - the cab ride - it sounds typical. Same locomotive, right? The difference is so dramatic that it hardly seems to be the result of changed perspective.

It is a 3rd Generation K5LA.

And the different generations had to do with re-tuning the horns; or had to do with physical configurations?

 

[Fan Railer]

The horn in the first video sure doesn't sound like any K5LA (in good repair) I've ever heard, but in the second video - the cab ride - it sounds typical. Same locomotive, right? The difference is so dramatic that it hardly seems to be the result of changed perspective.

It is a 3rd Generation K5LA.

And the different generations had to do with re-tuning the horns; or had to do with physical configurations?

From what I hear, different casting (building) methods. Also, the "generational" terms are loose and unofficial.

 

[gmushial]

The horn in the first video sure doesn't sound like any K5LA (in good repair) I've ever heard, but in the second video - the cab ride - it sounds typical. Same locomotive, right? The difference is so dramatic that it hardly seems to be the result of changed perspective.

It is a 3rd Generation K5LA.

And the different generations had to do with re-tuning the horns; or had to do with physical configurations?

From what I hear, different casting (building) methods. Also, the "generational" terms are loose and unofficial.

As always - many thanks for the learned reply. BTW: in googling such, I haven't been able to find a loudness number for the K5LA's - I'm guessing 130-140 db (at 1 meter), but have you seen numbers? (I know this value changes with air pressure, but assuming nominal 135-150psi pressures.) Again: thanks - greg

 

[battalion51]

Since we're on the topic of audible alarms, am I the only one that thinks the electronic bells are potentially leading to more accidents? In the era of Quiet Zones where the bell is the only audible alarm of a passing train the electronic bells to me seem like they don't have the same volume output as the old fashioned bells. I know the electronic bells won't fail as often as a real bell, but it just seems like we're losing something with them.

 

[Ryan]

As always - many thanks for the learned reply. BTW: in googling such, I haven't been able to find a loudness number for the K5LA's - I'm guessing 130-140 db (at 1 meter), but have you seen numbers? (I know this value changes with air pressure, but assuming nominal 135-150psi pressures.) Again: thanks - greg

96 - 110dB, per 49 CFR 229.129(a)

Edit: That's at 100 feet. Determining what it is at 1 meter is left as an exercise to the reader.

 

[gmushial]

As always - many thanks for the learned reply. BTW: in googling such, I haven't been able to find a loudness number for the K5LA's - I'm guessing 130-140 db (at 1 meter), but have you seen numbers? (I know this value changes with air pressure, but assuming nominal 135-150psi pressures.) Again: thanks - greg

96 - 110dB, per 49 CFR 229.129(a)

Edit: That's at 100 feet. Determining what it is at 1 meter is left as an exercise to the reader.

Ryan - many thanks.

100 ft is approx. 30.73m, therefore the sound pressure level difference would be approx. 30 dB (29.74 to be more exact), or per your CFR numbers, 126 - 140 dB at 1 meter (the standard distance to measure "loudness"). [a 29.74 dB difference would mean an approx. 944x in crease in "loudness" at the shorter distance vs the longer one.] (As point of reference: 110dB is max loudness in front row of heavy rock concert - louder than that and they get sued; 130 is generally taken as threshold of unbearable pain - translated: using NIOSH numbers, 126 dB causes irreversible hearing damage in approx. 2 secs; 140 dB in about 90 msec, ie, at 140 dB one goes to cover their ears to try to mitigate the pain, only to find that blood is already pouring out, and in all likelihood one never hears anything again... a basic working definition of: painfully loud.)

 

[Acela150]

Since we're on the topic of audible alarms, am I the only one that thinks the electronic bells are potentially leading to more accidents? In the era of Quiet Zones where the bell is the only audible alarm of a passing train the electronic bells to me seem like they don't have the same volume output as the old fashioned bells. I know the electronic bells won't fail as often as a real bell, but it just seems like we're losing something with them.

I find the E-Bell to be louder then Mechanical Bells..

 

[PerRock]

either way there is an FRA mandated limit as to how quiet horns & bells can be, and if they're in use they meet the regulations.

peter

 

[gmushial]

Since we're on the topic of audible alarms, am I the only one that thinks the electronic bells are potentially leading to more accidents? In the era of Quiet Zones where the bell is the only audible alarm of a passing train the electronic bells to me seem like they don't have the same volume output as the old fashioned bells. I know the electronic bells won't fail as often as a real bell, but it just seems like we're losing something with them.

I find the E-Bell to be louder then Mechanical Bells..

In theory eBells could be any arbitrary loudness (unlike a mechanical bell) - it's simply a question of how much power and how big of a transducer one is willing to throw at it... and given that any diesel-electric could be viewed as a multimegawatt generator on wheels, there should be no shortage in terms of power one could throw at the problem [or in the case of the -64 one should be able to pull enough power from the overhead lines, that there should be no limit to loudness].

 

[afigg]

Found this nugget in the July 2013 monthly report indicating that the ACS-64 testing is going smoothly. In the Chief Mechanical Officer report, there were 6 AEM-7DC units scheduled for overhauls in FY2013. 5 DC unit overhauls of were to be done by July, but only 4 have been overhauled. In the comments column, it states "Plan reduced due to Decommissioning Plan". That comment is not in the June monthly report.

With the capital spending cuts and the ACS-64's being delivered, Amtrak appears to have halted overhauls of the AEM-7DC units. The AEM-7AC and HHP-8 units are on schedule with their overhaul counts.

There are also cuts in the number of scheduled overhauls for Amfleet II diners (by 1), cab cars, Superliner II trans-dorms (by 1), Horizons with the comment "Due to budget reductions, this project is complete for the year - X cars less than the original plan".

 

[Fan Railer]

SuperStarRendon's catch of 602 heading through Hell Gate on its way to Boston today:

 

[Fan Railer]

602 is schedule to come back Friday.

 

[Acela150]

I'll be at BOS Friday hopefully I'll see it!

 

[Fan Railer]

I'll be at BOS Friday hopefully I'll see it!

If I was there, I'd try to catch it at route 128 on the opposite platform. Last time, I believe on the trip back to Wilmington, it was cab leading - 602 trailing, but can't be sure if they'll do that again this time.

 

[Nathanael]

Found this nugget in the July 2013 monthly report indicating that the ACS-64 testing is going smoothly. In the Chief Mechanical Officer report, there were 6 AEM-7DC units scheduled for overhauls in FY2013. 5 DC unit overhauls of were to be done by July, but only 4 have been overhauled. In the comments column, it states "Plan reduced due to Decommissioning Plan". That comment is not in the June monthly report.

With the capital spending cuts and the ACS-64's being delivered, Amtrak appears to have halted overhauls of the AEM-7DC units. The AEM-7AC and HHP-8 units are on schedule with their overhaul counts.

Makes sense: the AEM-7DCs would be expected to be decomissioned first, as the ACS-64s are phased in.

There are also cuts in the number of scheduled overhauls for Amfleet II diners (by 1), cab cars, Superliner II trans-dorms (by 1), Horizons with the comment "Due to budget reductions, this project is complete for the year - X cars less than the original plan".

This is unfortunate. I assume Amtrak is stockpiling cash to ride out the likely government shutdown in October (thanks to the antics of the House Republicans). Hopefully we'll see the overhauls restarted in November after a continuing resolution gets passed.

 

[Acela150]

I'll be at BOS Friday hopefully I'll see it!

If I was there, I'd try to catch it at route 128 on the opposite platform. Last time, I believe on the trip back to Wilmington, it was cab leading - 602 trailing, but can't be sure if they'll do that again this time.

I'm at BOS to catch the LSL to CHI. If I could I'd head to RTE or else where.

 

[Acela150]

Visual sighting of 603 puts it on 68. Just left ALB as if this typing. Still in sight. Foam away.

541.

 

[Fan Railer]

Visual sighting of 603 puts it on 68. Just left ALB as if this typing. Still in sight. Foam away.

541.

From SuperStarRendon again:



And 603 on 284 (from italiancanuck89:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2AwHemq0VQ

 

[Fan Railer]

Judging by this, 603 should be in Sunnyside at this hour:

 

[Fan Railer]

News from RR.net:

11:33 pm-"Extra AEM-7 938 with ACS-64 No. 603 and Cafe Car No. 43391 should be in NYP at the moment getting ready to leave to WIL. Left SSY about 20 mins ago or so."

11:38 pm -"Yup 603 is on track 13 getting ready to head down the road."

 

[Fan Railer]

Another one from Rendon... boy does he manage to get around XD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SE492zpL6CU - 603 @ NYP