Viewliner II - Part 1 - Initial Production and Delivery

[Dixie]

Just rolled out of Miami yesterday morning on the Silver Star. Lots of new baggage cars sitting in the yard there, 10+ by my count. We were rolling before I realized what i was seeing and started counting.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/29jy06if0tljwyd/AADCOudlrYcpkQppY4ZKBmELa?dl=0

 

[edjbox]

“We’re really working hard to make sure we get the CAF (USA) deliveries for long-distance equipment,” Boardman said of Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, the passenger car maker with a factory in Elmira, N.Y. “We have all the baggage cars now, the dining cars are in the climate chamber, and then we move on to (the baggage dorms and sleepers).”

Statement from Joseph Boardman to trains magazine when discussing his retirement next year

 

[AmtrakLKL]

Six of the last twelve baggage cars have been released from Hialeah. Three deadheaded north on 98 yesterday and three more went north today.

 

[Thirdrail7]

Six of the last twelve baggage cars have been released from Hialeah. Three deadheaded north on 98 yesterday and three more went north today.

Actually, 11 have been released and they are heading north, west and south.

 

[TylerP42]

what is the climate chamber?

 

[Steve4031]

I believe it's a place where the cars are exposed to extreme climate conditions to make sure they can operate in these settings.

 

[neroden]

“We’re really working hard to make sure we get the CAF (USA) deliveries for long-distance equipment,” Boardman said of Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, the passenger car maker with a factory in Elmira, N.Y. “We have all the baggage cars now, the dining cars are in the climate chamber, and then we move on to (the baggage dorms and sleepers).”

Statement from Joseph Boardman to trains magazine when discussing his retirement next year

OK, that's great news. I still wish they could pick up a few option cars to improve service (2 to 4 more bag-dorms, and 10 to 15 more sleepers). If they haven't started on the bag-dorms or sleepers yet, it's still a possibility.

 

[AmtrakLKL]

Six of the last twelve baggage cars have been released from Hialeah. Three deadheaded north on 98 yesterday and three more went north today.

Actually, 11 have been released and they are heading north, west and south.

What is south of Hialeah? :blink:

 

[jis]

Six of the last twelve baggage cars have been released from Hialeah. Three deadheaded north on 98 yesterday and three more went north today.

Actually, 11 have been released and they are heading north, west and south.

What is south of Hialeah? :blink:

Miami International Airport

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Six of the last twelve baggage cars have been released from Hialeah. Three deadheaded north on 98 yesterday and three more went north today.

Actually, 11 have been released and they are heading north, west and south.

What is south of Hialeah? :blink:

I had the same thought. I'm guessing he means the Crescent (they have to come north to WAS to go back south).

 

[jis]

Six of the last twelve baggage cars have been released from Hialeah. Three deadheaded north on 98 yesterday and three more went north today.

Actually, 11 have been released and they are heading north, west and south.

What is south of Hialeah? :blink:

I had the same thought. I'm guessing he means the Crescent (they have to come north to WAS to go back south).

Yeah specifically he means New Orleans by South - for assignment to the Sunset presumably. I suspect CONO has already got them out of Chicago.

 

[west point]

Easy.. Route the new bags (any of the 70 ) to CHI. Then City of New Orleans to NOL. add to sunset to LAX. Same time send last Sunset Heritage bags back to CHI on CNO. Then Heritage to Beech Grove. In one week all Sunset consists V-2s. Add V-2s to Chief as well.

 

[afigg]

“We’re really working hard to make sure we get the CAF (USA) deliveries for long-distance equipment,” Boardman said of Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, the passenger car maker with a factory in Elmira, N.Y. “We have all the baggage cars now, the dining cars are in the climate chamber, and then we move on to (the baggage dorms and sleepers).”

Statement from Joseph Boardman to trains magazine when discussing his retirement next year

If one or more of the dining cars are undergoing testing in the climate chamber, that could mean that they could be getting ready to send out one or two dining cars for testing and inspection in the near future. The first unit dining car along with a sleeper and bag-dorm went out for testing in the summer of 2014. The first dining car presumably underwent a long list of design changes and modifications; so I expect the first cars will have to undergo a repeated full round of testing by Amtrak.

 

[Thirdrail7]

Six of the last twelve baggage cars have been released from Hialeah. Three deadheaded north on 98 yesterday and three more went north today.

Actually, 11 have been released and they are heading north, west and south.

What is south of Hialeah? :blink:

I had the same thought. I'm guessing he means the Crescent (they have to come north to WAS to go back south).

You are spot on, Amtrak Blue. Some are headed for the Zephyr while others are getting in position for the Sunset.

Easy.. Route the new bags (any of the 70 ) to CHI. Then City of New Orleans to NOL. add to sunset to LAX. Same time send last Sunset Heritage bags back to CHI on CNO. Then Heritage to Beech Grove. In one week all Sunset consists V-2s. Add V-2s to Chief as well.

This doesn't make a lot of sense. Why are shipping the cars in the opposite direction and adding at least a day to their trip when you can cut them at WAS and add them to 19 on the same date?

 

[Thirdrail7]

“We’re really working hard to make sure we get the CAF (USA) deliveries for long-distance equipment,” Boardman said of Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, the passenger car maker with a factory in Elmira, N.Y. “We have all the baggage cars now, the dining cars are in the climate chamber, and then we move on to (the baggage dorms and sleepers).”

Statement from Joseph Boardman to trains magazine when discussing his retirement next year

If one or more of the dining cars are undergoing testing in the climate chamber, that could mean that they could be getting ready to send out one or two dining cars for testing and inspection in the near future. The first unit dining car along with a sleeper and bag-dorm went out for testing in the summer of 2014. The first dining car presumably underwent a long list of design changes and modifications; so I expect the first cars will have to undergo a repeated full round of testing by Amtrak.

If nothing else, they may still need 125mph certification.

 

[west point]

One way to accomplish a reliable test is to run a regular consist with the test dinning car nest to the regular Heritage car. Use the test car to feed passengers and if any major failure move to the Heritage diner. Would suggest an extra crewman + mechanical person to verify test and any problems. Upon reflection maybe the way to test new sleepers as well. Run an un booked sleeper along with a test V-2 sleeper.

 

[Cho Cho Charlie]

I believe it's a place where the cars are exposed to extreme climate conditions to make sure they can operate in these settings.

More extreme that then (warm) weather in Elmira, N.Y, right now?

 

[Ryan]

Unless the failure in question requires the car to be cut from the consist or a limited speed. Then it becomes a major hindrance.

 

[Steve4031]

I believe it's a place where the cars are exposed to extreme climate conditions to make sure they can operate in these settings.

More extreme that then (warm) weather in Elmira, N.Y, right now?

Keep in mind that I said, "I believe".

 

[neroden]

There are photos somewhere of the climate chamber at CAF's Elmira facility; I remember seeing them. It can be used to generate hot, wet conditions, and it can be used to generate very cold, wet conditions. I don't know what other conditions it can generate. I'd presume it can generate "32 degree" ice-generating conditions. I don't know if it can generate very dry conditions, because nobody ever uses those for a photo showing off the climate chamber. ;-)

 

[StriderGDM]

My understanding is the climate chambers can even replicate dripping Mica Venom.

 

[Dutchrailnut]

From earlier news article : The CAF Elmira Heights facility now includes a climate room, where cars can be tested in extreme weather conditions. Previously, it had to ship cars out to Canada for such testing, which could delay the manufacturing schedule.

"They control the humidity, the heat. They can even make it snow in the summer if they want to," Verdeja said. "You are more in charge of your destiny. You have the resources right there."

 

[DSS&A]

For general information, today's southbound Texas Eagle train No. 21 had one viewliner baggage car in its consist.

 

[Bob Dylan]

For general information, today's southbound Texas Eagle train No. 21 had one viewliner baggage car in its consist.

Great news for the orphan Eagle which usually gets the oldest and most worn equipment!

 

[TiBike]

Are there any trains left with heritage bags?