LD Train Configuration

[Railspike]

I'm wondering why the CZ is the only train running with a baggage car and a transitional Sleeper. If sleeper space is in high demand why not add the transitional sleeper and baggage car back to the other consists? Equipment shortage? Staff shortage? It doesn't seem like that would add that much of a load to the SCA and would add two cars between the main sleepers and the locomotives (no fumes and less horn noise). ???

 

[desertflyer]

CZ, CS, and EB are all running with baggage and transition sleepers lately, but it is interesting to see how often they have been dropped from the consists of these trains over the last couple of years.

 

[Railspike]

I just saw today's eastbound SL with a baggage car but no transition sleeper.

 

[desertflyer]

Ah weird, I haven't been seeing many baggage cars on the SL lately. Things are all out of whack.

 

[GAT]

Ah weird, I haven't been seeing many baggage cars on the SL lately. Things are all out of whack.

Could Amtrak just be repositioning them to other routes?

 

[jis]

Could Amtrak just be repositioning them to other routes?

At present a large number of Trans-Dorms are mothballed or wrecked leaving an active fleet that is barely able to support the routes CS, CZ and EB, and at least theoretically enough to do SL too, but barely so.

They have a plan to un-mothball a significant number of Trans Dorms over this year and next, enough to restore them to all bi-level LD trains over a period of time. Until this program makes some progress, and yes, they do have the money to do it this time, things will remain about where they are.

 

[west point]

At present a large number of Trans-Dorms are mothballed or wrecked leaving an active fleet that is barely able to support the routes CS, CZ and EB, and at least theoretically enough to do SL too, but barely so.

They have a plan to un-mothball a significant number of Trans Dorms over this year and next, enough to restore them to all bi-level LD trains over a period of time. Until this program makes some progress, and yes, they do have the money to do it this time, things will remain about where they are.

How can Amtrak do that when it is not hiring any more mechanical person at Beech?

 

[jis]

How can Amtrak do that when it is not hiring any more mechanical person at Beech?

As far as I understand it they are scheduled to be brought back into service mostly in FY23 and FY24.

But of course that could be my misunderstanding, and also all plans can change over time for better or for worse.

 

[daybeers]

As far as I understand it they are scheduled to be brought back into service mostly in FY23 and FY24.

But of course that could be my misunderstanding, and also all plans can change over time for better or for worse.

What?!? 60 billion for that?

 

[dn4192]

We will be taking the zephyer on two weeks. I have seen there is usually 8 cars with that train. You have the two engines and luggage car and sleeper cars and dining car an observation car and then coach cars.

So what is the order of the cars after the engine and luggage cars?

 

[CCC1007]

We will be taking the zephyer on two weeks. I have seen there is usually 8 cars with that train. You have the two engines and luggage car and sleeper cars and dining car an observation car and then coach cars.

So what is the order of the cars after the engine and luggage cars?

At the moment, the consist is Locomotive, Locomotive, Baggage Car, Crew Dorm, Sleeper, Sleeper, Diner, Lounge, Coach and Coach.

 

[John Bredin]

How can Amtrak do that when it is not hiring any more mechanical person at Beech?

Amtrak's careers website advertises several positions at Beech Grove and a "hiring event" just yesterday.

I'm strictly a white collar worker so I don't know exactly which positions are mechanical, but the advertised openings include journeyman carmen, journeyman machinist, journeyman electrician, boilermaker welder, sheetmetal workers, and sheet metal welder. Also some foremen, a coach cleaner, and a quality process engineer, but those sound less obviously mechanical.

 

[west point]

You are right Amtrak is starting to advertise Beech positions. See those positions are starting up. Just had ignored openings last two weeks. However, IMO way too late. Just speculation but maybe Amtrak is projecting higher demand and now feels it has to overhaul the damaged cars as well.