Viewliner II - Part 1 - Initial Production and Delivery

[Amtrak172]

I would imagine that it wouldn't be for at least 4-5 years because if their looking for those new Siemens locomotives. If Amtrak wants to launch Amtrak America with its own paint scheme for the single-level LD trains, why repaint the Amfleets if they're planning on replacing them? Thats my opinion. That and all Viewliner single-level LD train consists would make Amtrak's trains look good

Repainting the Amfleet IIs or, more likely putting new vinyl stripes on is not that big a deal costwise. Unless Congress in the next 2-3 years suddenly provides Amtrak with a lot of funding to buy replacement rolling stock, an order of Viewliner IIs to replace the Amfleet IIs in the near term is unlikely. Amtrak's next major equipment order will be new HSR trainsets for the NEC as the HSR trainsets will generate enough additional revenue to pay off the loan. After that order is underway, funding and placing an order with Siemens for a batch of P-42 locomotive replacements may take priority.
As for a sightseer lounge Viewliner II, i would be surprised if such cars were ordered and built. But a Viewliner II replacement for the Amfleet II diner/cafe car would be a considerable improvement with the dual windows. Start with the Viewliner II diner car, but shrink the kitchen area on one end and put in more tables or observation chairs with small side tables. More cost effective than adding another non-revenue car to the consist.

Good. I'm happy about this because I don't want to see the Amfleets become retired.

Amtrak172

 

[PerRock]

Can you please make some Amfleet II's in Phase IVb ? Amfleet I and II cafés too? I can assure you that they will be popular. Will you becoming out with locomotives to go with your Tri-Rail and SunRail packs?

Amtrak172

I'm not a modeler so at the moment I can only put textures on things other people have made. So in short the answer to all of your questions is, No.

In the future if you have questions about anything to do with Amtrak Trainz Group, please use our forums.

peter ( I feel like you already asked me this exact same question)

 

[Amtrak172]

Can you please make some Amfleet II's in Phase IVb ? Amfleet I and II cafés too? I can assure you that they will be popular. Will you becoming out with locomotives to go with your Tri-Rail and SunRail packs?

Amtrak172

I'm not a modeler so at the moment I can only put textures on things other people have made. So in short the answer to all of your questions is, No.
In the future if you have questions about anything to do with Amtrak Trainz Group, please use our forums.

peter ( I feel like you already asked me this exact same question)

Ok, thanks

Amtrak172

 

[neroden]

Unless Congress in the next 2-3 years suddenly provides Amtrak with a lot of funding to buy replacement rolling stock, an order of Viewliner IIs to replace the Amfleet IIs in the near term is unlikely. Amtrak's next major equipment order will be new HSR trainsets for the NEC as the HSR trainsets will generate enough additional revenue to pay off the loan. After that order is underway, funding and placing an order with Siemens for a batch of P-42 locomotive replacements may take priority.

All depends on what you mean by the near term. After the HSR trainsets (probably ordered 1 or 2 years from now) and the P-42 replacements (probably 4 or 5 years from now), and possibly options on the other orders which are in production, Amfleet replacements are the top priority. I'd guess Amtrak will be pushing very hard for the Amfleet replacement order in the next 10 years, before 2025.

 

[afigg]

All depends on what you mean by the near term. After the HSR trainsets (probably ordered 1 or 2 years from now) and the P-42 replacements (probably 4 or 5 years from now), and possibly options on the other orders which are in production, Amfleet replacements are the top priority. I'd guess Amtrak will be pushing very hard for the Amfleet replacement order in the next 10 years, before 2025.

By near term, I mean in the next 3-4 years. Any planning beyond that is subject to major changes depending on what happens in Congress and what happens to Congress in the next 2 election cycles. The updated Fleet Strategy plan in the FY14 budget and FY14-FY18 Five Year financial plan document has acquisition of new single level cars starting in FY19 and diesel locomotives in FY2024. But I think those dates are in the table as placeholders only. Circumstances, such as problems maintaining enough reliable P-42s, availability of production lines, and federal funding will determine what gets ordered next.
The updated average age and mileage of rolling stock table lists the 145 Amfleet IIs as now having reached 6 million miles for average mileage. More than the Superliners and the Amfleet Is. So the Amfleet IIs have seen heavy use. It would be useful to place a follow-on order with CAF for, say, 180 Viewliner IIs in LD coach and food car configurations, but financing that order is obviously difficult.

 

[BrianPR3]

time to bump this thread, a pick up train arrived yesterday in Elmira, NY

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1093140474059501&set=gm.10152569217218781&type=1

 

[William W.]

time to bump this thread, a pick up train arrived yesterday in Elmira, NY

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1093140474059501&set=gm.10152569217218781&type=1

The link is dead. Can you post the photo here directly?

 

[PerRock]

time to bump this thread, a pick up train arrived yesterday in Elmira, NY

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1093140474059501&set=gm.10152569217218781&type=1

The link is dead. Can you post the photo here directly?

I believe you have to be part of the NEC Facebook group to see it. The picture isn't much, just basically the same train that went to pick up the baggage car before. There is a picture on the group of CAF's switcher moving a Viewliner Diner out of the yard.

Try this link for the actual car: https://scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t1.0-9/q79/s720x720/10533126_1093143974059151_1752509573015189290_n.jpg

peter

 

[neroden]

So, this is kind of exciting. Amtrak seems to be keeping this under serious wraps, but if there's a dining car going out for testing today, that's great news. Here's hoping everything goes smoothly...

 

[Ryan]

I don't think they're going out until after the holiday.

 

[afigg]

I don't think they're going out until after the holiday.

They might move the Viewliner(s) over the weekend. Amtrak is not a weekday only operation. Whether it would be a move to Albany for initial inspection there or to somewhere on the NEC, we will find out when the next set of equipment is moved out of Elmira.

Where is the 61000 baggage car these days? I have not seen a post about it in some time.

 

[NE933]

It was photographed in Race St. yard in Phiily, coupled to a Metroliner converted to Catenary Inspection car.

 

[William W.]

The day that the new Viewliner diners appear on the Cardinal, I will probably throw a party. They are SORELY needed.

 

[Ryan]

I don't think they're going out until after the holiday.

They might move the Viewliner(s) over the weekend. Amtrak is not a weekday only operation.

That would be after the holiday, right?

 

[Amtrak172]

When will the Viewliner II's enter revenue service? What's going on with the production of them?

Amtrak172

 

[William W.]

When will the Viewliner II's enter revenue service? What's going on with the production of them?

Amtrak172

Whenever they finish testing, and Amtrak decides that they're ready to do. I don't think anyone really knows for sure yet. Assuming testing goes well, it will be sooner than later. If they find problems with the new cars, well, then its anyone's guess.

I believe that the original plan was to build one of each type of car, and test them. Once (if) they have been proven, I would think that production would go into high hear (if it isn't already), and that we would start seeing them come off the production lines in greater numbers, much more quickly.

Who really knows though. Amtrak and CAF have been really tight lipped about everything. The RF spies that watch the CAF production facility can only see so much, and the only real confirmation we have is when a car is actually delivered to Amtrak.

 

[Ryan]

One baggage car has been delivered and is being tested.

Amtrak has a train at CAFs facility to pick up more car(s) - number and type unknown.

We'll see revenue service most likely sometime this year, unless testing turns up an issue that prevents that.

 

[Amtrak172]

Do you know when Amtrak's train will depart the CAF facility? Hope it's soon. Amtrak's ETA for revenue service was summer 2014.

Amtrak172

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Do you know when Amtrak's train will depart the CAF facility? Hope it's soon. Amtrak's ETA for revenue service was summer 2014.

Amtrak172

If he knew and would have said. It appears no one who is reading this thread today has any new info.

 

[MattW]

If the train's sitting there, Monday would be a good guess unless a problem develops or unless Monday is still considered a holiday.

 

[Amtrak172]

Thanks

Amtrak172

 

[Tuesday]

2sday

 

[neroden]

One baggage car has been delivered and is being tested.

Amtrak has a train at CAFs facility to pick up more car(s) - number and type unknown.

Not entirely unknown.
A dining car, in full "Amtrak America" livery, was witnessed being switched, and probably being attached to the pickup train. (You can tell it's a dining car by the window pattern.) It's not clear whether that's the only car being picked up, of course; there could be more. But the implication is that (at least) one dining car is going to Amtrak for testing. I'll be pessimistic and assume that that's all, but I'd love to discover that a bag-dorm and a sleeper are moving too.

Apparently our mysterious guest says that it's moving on Tuesday.

 

[afigg]

Do you know when Amtrak's train will depart the CAF facility? Hope it's soon. Amtrak's ETA for revenue service was summer 2014.

The ETA of summer 2014 for initial revenue service was so last October. Back in mid 2010 when the contract award to CAF was announced, "The first car is scheduled to roll off the assembly line in October 2012." Missed it by that much.

As of the June 17, 2014 press release, the goal is to have the baggage cars begin to enter revenue service by the end of 2014. All it said about the other 3 types was "The diner, sleeper and bag-dorm cars will be used on eastern long-distance routes with the first units of each expected to begin field testing this summer." If a diner car, and hopefully at least a bag-dorm car as well, are moved from Elmira next week that is a sign that the testing of the baggage car is going ok.

 

[Amtrak172]

Has anyone seen a bag-dorm yet?

Amtrak172