Is the Wolverine getting new coach cars?

[MIrailfan]

Approaching CUS through the yard I noticed many Midwest cars.

 

[Seaboard92]

Eventually it will whenever they actually enter service. I see you are located in Jackson. The new LD Chargers are testing right now based out of Jackson Yard.

 

[Old MM]

New cars... or new seats on the same cars? The new, non-fabric seats, which you'll see sporadically on the W, are very nice.

 

[NSC1109]

Eventually it will whenever they actually enter service. I see you are located in Jackson. The new LD Chargers are testing right now based out of Jackson Yard.

I don’t understand why they’re in Jackson. I’m sure Amtrak has a reason but from a layman’s perspective New Buffalo would’ve been a better option because Amtrak wouldnt be paying for storage space in the Jackson facility…doubtful NS is just letting them use a yard track.

 

[MikefromCrete]

The cars you see in the CUS yard are awaiting fixes, such as removing lead pipes that will taint the drinking water. I also heard that there were problems with the ceiling tiles. Siemens has been manufacturing cars on a speedy basis, but apparently messed up on the IDOT/CalTrans order. There have been no reports on how quickly the fixes will be made.
As far testing the LD Chargers, are there any yard tracks in the New Buffalo area? And isn't the railroad from Kalamazoo to Dearborn now owned by MDOT?

 

[Burns651]

MDOT has owned from Townline (Dearborn) to Kalamazoo since Dec. 2012. This includes all yard tracks and spurs.

The closest Amtrak yard tracks to New Buffalo are in Michigan City.

 

[NSC1109]

The cars you see in the CUS yard are awaiting fixes, such as removing lead pipes that will taint the drinking water. I also heard that there were problems with the ceiling tiles. Siemens has been manufacturing cars on a speedy basis, but apparently messed up on the IDOT/CalTrans order. There have been no reports on how quickly the fixes will be made.
As far testing the LD Chargers, are there any yard tracks in the New Buffalo area? And isn't the railroad from Kalamazoo to Dearborn now owned by MDOT?

they’re between Michigan City and NBU. I always thought it was closer to NBU but it’s been a while.

Yes, the whole line between CP Townline and CP 482 is operated by Amtrak. However, the only 110mph segment currently is between Kalamazoo (a little easy now actually) and just east of Porter, IN. If you want to test new locomotives, why wouldn’t you do it out there based at a yard you own vs using someone else’s track space? I doubt NS is hard pressed for room in Jackson but at the same time I’m not certain they’d just let Amtrak use the space. Pretty sure Jackson Yard is still considered NS property.

MDOT has owned from Townline (Dearborn) to Kalamazoo since Dec. 2012. This includes all yard tracks and spurs.

The closest Amtrak yard tracks to New Buffalo are in Michigan City.

Thanks for the correction

 

[Seaboard92]

I believe the yard in Jackson is used as the primary yard for the Michigan line. Every time I've been by it the yard has had some form of Amtrak equipment laying over in it. Usually a P42 and some other equipment.