Viewliner II - Part 1 - Initial Production and Delivery

[Numbers_Game]

Will the Silver Star, with one of the new Viewliner II baggage cars, and without one of the old heritage diners, now be able to haulass on its treks up and down the eastern coast?

 

[Ryan]

On the NEC, I think so.

 

[Thirdrail7]

Guest Numbers:

I doubt there will be a speed change until the speed on the Viewliner I equipment is raised. They have the same speed as the heritage diners.

 

[Ryan]

Crap, I forgot about that.

 

[NewCars]

The most recent equipment manual was updated on March 2, 2015 and shows the following speeds:

Equipment Speed
Viewliner I Cars 62000-62049, 8400 110

Viewliner II Cars (LDSL)

Baggage (61000-61084) 125
Sleeper (62500-62534) 90
Diner (68000-68039) 90
Bag-Dorm (69000-69039) 90

I have not seen any special instructions issued since changing any of these speeds.

And yes, the numbered ranges above cover 200 cars, but don't anyone start thinking the 70 car option has been exercised. Even if the additional cars are ordered, I don't see a total of 40 dining cars and bag-dorms coming. At this point, with all the delays so far, I'm not sure the option will ever be taken.

 

[StriderGDM]

The most recent equipment manual was updated on March 2, 2015 and shows the following speeds:

Equipment Speed
Viewliner I Cars 62000-62049, 8400 110

Viewliner II Cars (LDSL)

Baggage (61000-61084) 125
Sleeper (62500-62534) 90
Diner (68000-68039) 90
Bag-Dorm (69000-69039) 90

I have not seen any special instructions issued since changing any of these speeds.

And yes, the numbered ranges above cover 200 cars, but don't anyone start thinking the 70 car option has been exercised. Even if the additional cars are ordered, I don't see a total of 40 dining cars and bag-dorms coming. At this point, with all the delays so far, I'm not sure the option will ever be taken.

This is very interesting though since it's the first breakdown I've seen that suggests what the additional 70 car option could look like.

If I'm doing my math right it looks like this is suggesting if the option IS exercised it would be an additional:

15 baggage cars

10 sleepers

15 diners

30 baggage dorms

That's quite interesting. It's suggesting they could create 3 trainsets for additional overnight service and still have plenty of extra equipment for other areas.

But, looking a bit more, I suspect that perhaps these numbers were based on the original expectations (before the number of baggage dorms was cut from 25 to 15).

No matter what, still very interesting.

 

[Acela150]

Strider, thank you for the concern for employees. Very little credence is paid to internet "reliable" sources when it comes to speed pronouncements. I've also seen the great army of enthusiasts posting that the Pennsylvanian was tooling around at 140 mph through New Jersey.

Nothing beats the time that someone said a 90mph train was doing 110mph through a speed restriction. Everyone knew that it was impossible since the train was operating with an E-60 but everyone went and had a look at the high speed E-60.

My only thought is what the post has to do with Viewliners. Even if we were to assume that Jis's usually reliable source is spot on, what does it have to do with the status and production of Viewliner II since the bags aren't restricted to 110mph?

Acela150, I assume you mean only the bags are good for 125mph?.

Yes. The bags. More so since the new sleepers diners and bag dorms aren't in service yet.

I should add that guest_new cars posts a lot of BS. The engineer who informed me that a bulletin was put out doesn't post BS. I always trust his info.

 

[DryCreek]

Maybe any of the new VLII baggage cars deadheading south could be put on the Silver Star and some enterprising individual could open a hot dog stand in them while the diners are "resting". Heck, even a Subway or some other sub/sandwich shop would do.

 

[NewCars]

Yes. The bags. More so since the new sleepers diners and bag dorms aren't in service yet.

I should add that guest_new cars posts a lot of BS. The engineer who informed me that a bulletin was put out doesn't post BS. I always trust his info.

Gee, that really makes me feel great posting what information I can here. The Viewliner II project is way behind schedule, everything is still in flux and information changes almost day-to-day. There is still an unbelievable amount of gossip and rumor running rampant through the ranks. I feel everything I've posted has been fairly reliable and accurate at the time of posting. For example, a member of management advised just this week that "99% of the baggage cars are defective and the entire fleet is shipping back to the factory." I don't believe that information is reliable or accurate, so I didn't post it here. However, there must have been some shred of truth about problems because 92(23), 98(24) and 92(24) all originated with a coach as a baggage car.

Before my message on equipment speeds, I pulled up every general order and notice for both NEC and Southeast regions issued this year. None of the GOs or GNs changed the speeds listed in the AMT-3 Air Brake and Equipment Handling manual issued on March 2. I have no idea what bulletin your engineer friend is looking at and while I cannot find said bulletin, I'm not calling his information BS and I would appreciate if you wouldn't call mine BS.

 

[NewCars]

Wait a minute. I just read back through the last couple posts. Acela150 said the baggage cars are good for 125. My post said the baggage cars are good for 125. What's the issue here?

 

[user 1215]

I wonder why the other VLII's are listed at 90 MPH. Is Amtrak known for going backwards, technology wise? Ok, dumb question. But I think that the VL II Sleepers, Diners and Bag/Dorms will likely be certified for 125 by the time they are delivered. I cannot imagine why not, as mechanically I would assume the bogeys and structure are the same.

If not 125, then I would hope for sure at the LEAST 110...

Why bring the NEC down to 90 with the new equipment?

I don't think I'd call NewCars' info BS. He's posting what he hears, and it's rational. I'm pretty sure [hopeful] that those numbers will be revised.

 

[Numbers_Game]

I wonder why the other VLII's are listed at 90 MPH. Is Amtrak known for going backwards, technology wise? Ok, dumb question. But I think that the VL II Sleepers, Diners and Bag/Dorms will likely be certified for 125 by the time they are delivered. I cannot imagine why not, as mechanically I would assume the bogeys and structure are the same.

If not 125, then I would hope for sure at the LEAST 110...

Why bring the NEC down to 90 with the new equipment?

I don't think I'd call NewCars' info BS. He's posting what he hears, and it's rational. I'm pretty sure [hopeful] that those numbers will be revised.

I read that list as the baggage (only) cars have been delivered and were able to get certified for 125mph.

The other new VLII cars haven't been delivered yet, and the 90mph is just a placeholder (at a minimum value?) until the actual cars can get certified.

 

[Andrew Ziolo]

I just got off the Crescent this morning. Rode from NY to Atlanta, and the #61000 baggage car was on the back of our consist in full operation/use. I took a couple of pictures, if interested tell me how to post. I spoke to the conductor unloading bags "how do you like the new car?" His response "the doors get in the way, I wish they would just roll up."

 

[Andrew Ziolo]

Baggage Car 61000 pictures. Below is a widget created in Pinterest of baggage car 61000 on today's Crescent 19.

<a data-pin-do="embedBoard" href="https://www.pinterest.com/andrewziolo7/trains/"data-pin-scale-width="80"data-pin-scale-height="200" data-pin-board-width="400"> Follow Andrew's board Trains on Pinterest.</a><!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --><script type="text/javascript" async src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script>

 

[kdeschner]

Hello, I have been seeing new baggage cars on the LSL and The Cardinal, and heritage baggage cars on the H.S. (Cardinal) deadheading to Indianapolis, and taken to Beech Grove.

I have a few questions, when will the new baggage cars start being put on the superliner trains, and when will the V2 Diners abd Sleepers start coming out?

Thank You!

 

[Acela150]

Sleepers and Diners are still a long ways away. I think it's one page back Jis posted that he had talked to someone that thinks Amtrak doesn't even know when they'll be getting more Baggage cars!

 

[R30A]

That Amtrak doesn't know exactly when does not necessarily mean they are far away. I suspect Amtrak will continue to be coy as to when exactly things are happening as in general, when they say something is coming it hasn't meant much. CAF is quite far along on the other three lines as well. Not sure exactly what still needs to be done to the cars, however some of the others are getting striping applied now.
Seeing the pictures of the plant it would almost surprise me if construction of the carbodies is not done by now, and I think it has been done for a while.

 

[jis]

I understand it has to do with redoing some number of welds, so even if every shell looks done that does not mean much.

 

[George K]

I understand it has to do with redoing some number of welds, so even if every shell looks done that does not mean much.

That sounds serious. But I know nothing of these things, so is it?

 

[JoeRids]

Saw LSL 49 racing up the Hudson about 15 min south of Pougheepsie, running about 80 min late (of course). It had the new baggage, Indianapolis diner, and 3 Viewliner sleepers; a true glimpse into the future.

 

[kdeschner]

Here is a V2 Baggage On The Cardinal. I have been seeing old Baggages going on the H.S. Toward Beech Grove.

 

[Blackwolf]

ImageUploadedByAmtrak Forum1430614082.681784.jpg

Here is a V2 Baggage On The Cardinal. I have been seeing old Baggages going on the H.S. Toward Beech Grove.

Looks like that, even with the new baggage cars, Amtrak personnel are still stead-fast in their inability to close the darn doors.

 

[kdeschner]

Sleepers and Diners are still a long ways away. I think it's one page back Jis posted that he had talked to someone that thinks Amtrak doesn't even know when they'll be getting more Baggage cars!

Wow! Did Amtrak Have any say in the first car out of the factory? Because I would think they would want to start with the heritage fleet, and who knows, maybe get real diners on the cardnial!

 

[kdeschner]

ImageUploadedByAmtrak Forum1430614082.681784.jpg

Here is a V2 Baggage On The Cardinal. I have been seeing old Baggages going on the H.S. Toward Beech Grove.

Looks like that, even with the new baggage cars, Amtrak personnel are still stead-fast in their inability to close the darn doors.

Haha! I agree, but this is allready arrived and is backing out of the stationBut don't worry the Amtrak could save money and not put doors on because they are never closed!

 

[kdeschner]

ImageUploadedByAmtrak Forum1430614082.681784.jpg

Here is a V2 Baggage On The Cardinal. I have been seeing old Baggages going on the H.S. Toward Beech Grove.

Looks like that, even with the new baggage cars, Amtrak personnel are still stead-fast in their inability to close the darn doors.

Haha! I agree, but this is allready arrived and is backing out of the stationBut don't worry the Amtrak could save money and not put doors on because they are never closed!

So in other words it is empty of people and baggage