Siemens Caltrans/IDOT Venture design, engineering, testing and delivery (2024)

[jis]

From April 1, 2024 onward, please post comments discussing the Siemens Caltrans/IDOT Venturehere. For previous posts regarding the Siemens Caltrans/IDOT Venture, please refer to this thread, which is currently locked:

https://www.amtraktrains.com/thread...sting-and-delivery-2012-1q-2024.51197/page-86

 

[TrimetWESFan1003]

They really should have gone with the original concept art paint scheme for the California Ventures. Why didn't they use that paint scheme in the first place?

 

[rickycourtney]

FYI: I've noticed that a second Venture trainset is now in service on 702 southbound. I presume it's also being used on 703, but I haven't verified that.

 

[TrimetWESFan1003]

Ok where is everyone. I need more updates on venture cab cars.

 

[Goldspike_Railfanning]

Ok where is everyone. I need more updates on venture cab cars.

From what I know, cab cars should start testing in the summer. Information doesn’t get more specific than that. They’re definitely out there waiting to test though since there’s been pictures of them.

 

[Anthony V]

Have any of the Midwest Cafe cars been delivered yet. If so, are there any photos of them out there?

 

[GDRRiley]

It looks like CA is using 1 full comet set in addition to 2 venture sets. I don't know if all 3 have been out in 1 day or not.

 

[Goldspike_Railfanning]

Have any of the Midwest Cafe cars been delivered yet. If so, are there any photos of them out there?

Yes, one was captured in the Chicago yard about a month or so ago on a Facebook post. They MAY enter service soon with the Borealis using Horizon and Amfleets as rolling stock, however it’s not 100% confirmed.

Does anybody have information about the three Amtrak Midwest Venture cab cars for the Hiawatha and when they should be in service?

 

[Goldspike_Railfanning]

Heads up those by the Stockton, CA ACE Yard! An Amtrak San Joaquins cab car is potentially testing today through Friday! However, I’m not from the area and only found this from a Facebook group (which has had reliable heads-ups in the past, such as with Venture cafe car spottings). The cab car will test in the yard all three days, there will be NO mainline testing.

 

[Goldspike_Railfanning]

Heads up those by the Stockton, CA ACE Yard! An Amtrak San Joaquins cab car is potentially testing today through Friday! However, I’m not from the area and only found this from a Facebook group (which has had reliable heads-ups in the past, such as with Venture cafe car spottings). The cab car will test in the yard all three days, there will be NO mainline testing.

Update: The testing is confirmed since the guy who posted about it is actually part of the crew operating the cab car. Look out for Venture cab car testing for San Joaquins today to Friday at the ACE Stockton Yard!

 

[Harmon Shay]

Aren't there also six additional coaches coming for the Hiawathas?

 

[TrimetWESFan1003]

Update: The testing is confirmed since the guy who posted about it is actually part of the crew operating the cab car. Look out for Venture cab car testing for San Joaquins today to Friday at the ACE Stockton Yard!

I hope someone covers it in video form cause one thing that annoys my is when something like this happens and no one covers it or provide any proper videos of these things.

 

[Goldspike_Railfanning]

I hope someone covers it in video form cause one thing that annoys my is when something like this happens and no one covers it or provide any proper videos of these things.

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.

 

[TrimetWESFan1003]

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.

Are there any videos of this?

 

[Agent]

I've found two videos of a cab car test train posted today. One is by Marcel Hall at Martinez.



This one by AmtrakFan15 was taken at the Berkeley station.

 

[Goldspike_Railfanning]

I've found two videos of a cab car test train posted today. One is by Marcel Hall at Martinez.



This one by AmtrakFan15 was taken at the Berkeley station.

Thanks for finding these!

 

[Goldspike_Railfanning]

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.

 

[TrimetWESFan1003]

2nd video was good. The first one had needless talking which i don't like in these types of videos.
I also found a 3rd video.

 

[BlackDiamond]

So they are just running it in the train, they haven't tested it as a control car yet?

 

[Goldspike_Railfanning]

So they are just running it in the train, they haven't tested it as a control car yet?

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

 

[Goldspike_Railfanning]

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.

Could this mean that the three cab cars for the Hiawatha will also be receiving an ALC-42 style cab instead of a SC-44?

 

[randomguy65]

Noticed that the only door on the cab car appears to be the rear doors...? Doesn't seem practical.

Gevo (the engineer) has stated that the cabs look "nothing like you'd expect" on the interior, just seems a bit odd.

 

[TheMalahat]

Well, spoiler alert for what you can expect, they're basically the same as the Via ones. So you can Google that and see. Joking aside nice to see delivery start on these cab cars. And I'm so curious to see that nose once the installation is done. I think it'll look better. Not particularly confident they'll fix the misaligned paint, though.

 

[TransitTyrant]

Yes WisDOT ordered 6 coaches and 3 cab cars.

 

[Harmon Shay]

Thanks. 6 and 3. That's what I thought. Now I wonder when they'll be delivered, where they are in the long line. and that's only enough for four-car Hiawatha trains, assuming the current two trainset arrangement. I have a feeling that Horizons (or Amfleets, whatever)are going to be around Chicago for some time to come.