I wish the Vanture cars were like the Surfliner cars.
What do you mean by thisI wish the Vanture cars were like the Surfliner cars.
I wish the Vanture cars were like the Surfliner cars.
What do you mean by this
I think Mirailfan was just being facetious. He intended to mean the "Ventura" cars delivered by Seamans
Brightline actually worked with Siemens to come up with a design for their Venture cars over a period of several years. I have been told that prior to the initial delivery of the first several trainsets, Brightline actually went through a QA/QC process with Siemens. This was instrumental in catching any production related issues before they were released from the factory. I have also heard that IDOT and CalTrans did not go through this process, perhaps due to lack of personnel or budget?The original plans for the Midwest/California cars were supposed to be similar to the California/Surfliner cars used on the West Coast. Nippon/Shayron which was supposed to build these cars, but could not produce a car that would meet stress tests. So, the contract went to Siemans for single level cars. So far, there have been a number of problems with these cars, which are similar to the cars used by Brighline. The Brightline cars seem to be free of the Venture car problems.
Yes, I was aware of the Nippon Sharyo stress-test results, and that likely was the pivotal set of events that ultimately led to sniffing out Siemens as vendor. And I was just being facetious with the intentional mispellings "Ventura" as in the one near Oxnard; and "Seamans"The original plans for the Midwest/California cars were supposed to be similar to the California/Surfliner cars used on the West Coast. Nippon/Shayron which was supposed to build these cars, but could not produce a car that would meet stress tests. So, the contract went to Siemans for single level cars. So far, there have been a number of problems with these cars, which are similar to the cars used by Brighline. The Brightline cars seem to be free of the Venture car problems.
We can only hope that the lessons learned from the Midwest experience will grease the skids for Amtrak's future orders. Of course, we all had higher expectations for Midwest given the experience with Brightline.Brightline actually worked with Siemens to come up with a design for their Venture cars over a period of several years. I have been told that prior to the initial delivery of the first several trainsets, Brightline actually went through a QA/QC process with Siemens. This was instrumental in catching any production related issues before they were released from the factory. I have also heard that IDOT and CalTrans did not go through this process, perhaps due to lack of personnel or budget?
Case in point is the issue of lead in the potable water on the Venture trains for the Midwest and California. I was told that this involved the substitution of brass fittings for the stainless steel fittings that Brightline specified. This was done at the behest of Amtrak engineering in order to standardize the new equipment with their existing fleet. Most likely the other issues can be traced back to deviations from the Brightline design specifications as well to meet Amtrak standards.
I also suspect that VIA Rail has also been more proactive as well following Brightline's lead. There have been very few if any reports of issues with their first trainsets so far during testing over the past 9 months.
So in other words, although the Brightline and Amtrak Venture cars may share the same name and overall look, they are not at all similar when it comes to their detailed design spec's.
Sounds like Amtrak no longer has the competency to spec out equipment orders.Brightline actually worked with Siemens to come up with a design for their Venture cars over a period of several years. I have been told that prior to the initial delivery of the first several trainsets, Brightline actually went through a QA/QC process with Siemens. This was instrumental in catching any production related issues before they were released from the factory. I have also heard that IDOT and CalTrans did not go through this process, perhaps due to lack of personnel or budget?
Case in point is the issue of lead in the potable water on the Venture trains for the Midwest and California. I was told that this involved the substitution of brass fittings for the stainless steel fittings that Brightline specified. This was done at the behest of Amtrak engineering in order to standardize the new equipment with their existing fleet. Most likely the other issues can be traced back to deviations from the Brightline design specifications as well to meet Amtrak standards.
I also suspect that VIA Rail has also been more proactive as well following Brightline's lead. There have been very few if any reports of issues with their first trainsets so far during testing over the past 9 months.
So in other words, although the Brightline and Amtrak Venture cars may share the same name and overall look, they are not at all similar when it comes to their detailed design spec's.
I think the Brightline experience is due a lot to their company culture and what they want to be. They don't look at themselves as just an operator of trains from Miami to WPB. It is the presentation and how their customers experience their product that matters.We can only hope that the lessons learned from the Midwest experience will grease the skids for Amtrak's future orders. Of course, we all had higher expectations for Midwest given the experience with Brightline.
Ventures are still in Service on several of the trains.Amtrak had to reduce the number of trains on the Chicago to St. Loius route today due to equipment problems....
They've been using Horizons on lots of the Midwest Trains both as boarding Cars and Full consists.Ventures are still in Service on several of the trains.
Not anymore they aren’t. Rode on them over the weekend, stairs and doors worked fine.They've been using Horizons on lots of the Midwest Trains both as boarding Cars and Full consists.
Could be more Engine problems too!???
Good for an hour or so on Brightline. Can't imagine sitting for a few hours in them on longer distance routes.I am curious as to how comfortable those seats are.
Why would the Surfline be getting used equipment? Are they short of trainsets? As far as I know the Venture cars for the San Joaquin aren’t displacing any equipment, just supplementing.Anyone have an update on the Venture cars in California? The first set was delivered over 2 years ago and to my knowledge they still haven't been put in service. Also, it seems like the news cars will be staying in Northern California and the old California cars will by coming south to the Surfline (or so I've heard). Any talk on refurbishing those? It sucks the busiest Amtrak route, outside of the NE corridor, will be getting old recycled cars, instead of the brand new ones they were supposed to get. Thanks a lot Nippon Sharyo.
Why would the Surfline be getting used equipment? Are they short of trainsets? As far as I know the Venture cars for the San Joaquin aren’t displacing any equipment, just supplementing.
Did you ride Brightline before or after they refurbished the seats while they were out of service for COVID and PTC work?Good for an hour or so on Brightline. Can't imagine sitting for a few hours in them on longer distance routes.
I thought they were gonna go to the Capitol Corridor. Hhmmm, I mean the Surfline could probably use them.Anyone have an update on the Venture cars in California? The first set was delivered over 2 years ago and to my knowledge they still haven't been put in service. Also, it seems like the news cars will be staying in Northern California and the old California cars will by coming south to the Surfline (or so I've heard). Any talk on refurbishing those? It's unfortunate the busiest Amtrak route, outside of the NE corridor, will be getting old recycled cars, instead of the brand new ones they were supposed to get. Thanks a lot Nippon Sharyo.
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