Whooz That On Beech Grove??

[WhoozOn1st]

Whooz That On Beech Grove?? (Picasa pics) Me and Big Joe meet again, and actually talk this time.

Nice guy! Mini-report after the Dodger game, if I feel like it. NYAHH!!

 

[MrFSS]

Whooz That On Beech Grove?? (Picasa pics) Me and Big Joe meet again, and actually talk this time.
Nice guy! Mini-report after the Dodger game, if I feel like it. NYAHH!!

Did you convince him to sign up to be an AU Forum member?

 

[the_traveler]

How did you manage that? :huh:

(In other words - who did you bribe! :lol: )

 

[sportbiker]

Next thing you know, Boardman will be spending Christmas with you :-D

Congrats! I want the full story when I see you.

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

Lucky you! Congrats on reaching the paramount of railfanning!

 

[Ispolkom]

Whooz That On Beech Grove?? (Picasa pics) Me and Big Joe meet again, and actually talk this time.
Nice guy! Mini-report after the Dodger game, if I feel like it. NYAHH!!

Bow down! Bow down!

While I clearly am not worthy, I'm wondering what that window over the back observation deck (with its own windshield wiper) is for.

 

[AlanB]

While I clearly am not worthy, I'm wondering what that window over the back observation deck (with its own windshield wiper) is for.

It houses a camera that's connected to a screen and recording equipment inside the car to provide those inside with a view of the tracks behind.

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

While I clearly am not worthy, I'm wondering what that window over the back observation deck (with its own windshield wiper) is for.

It houses a camera that's connected to a screen and recording equipment inside the car to provide those inside with a view of the tracks behind.

That's one thing I never understood about Beech Grove. If you wanted to look out behind you, couldn't you just stand behind the door?

Another question-- since private cars being hauled by Amtrak need a conductor on board, does Beech Grove need one too even though it is Amtrak rolling stock?

 

[AlanB]

While I clearly am not worthy, I'm wondering what that window over the back observation deck (with its own windshield wiper) is for.

It houses a camera that's connected to a screen and recording equipment inside the car to provide those inside with a view of the tracks behind.

That's one thing I never understood about Beech Grove. If you wanted to look out behind you, couldn't you just stand behind the door?

Sure. But then who wants to stand outside if it's cold and snowing, or 95 and high humidity?

Another question-- since private cars being hauled by Amtrak need a conductor on board, does Beech Grove need one too even though it is Amtrak rolling stock?

I've never heard of a rule that says PV's need an extra conductor. Where did you hear that?

 

[Alice]

I've never heard of a rule that says PV's need an extra conductor. Where did you hear that?

Here's the rule from Amtrak

5. When occupied private cars are traveling on Amtrak, the following criterion applies:

a) A person-in-charge will be identified for all private car moves. The person-in-charge of the private car

must be identified on the private car movement request form when it is submitted to Amtrak s System

Operations Department and their name indicated on the Passenger Name Record (PNR).

b) The person-in-charge of the private car must meet with the Conductor at the originating point of their trip

and they must discuss the emergency plan for the private car. In addition, they must discuss the

evacuation plan along with a method of communication in the event of an emergency.

c) The person-in-charge of the private car must also complete a new Form NRPC 3160 Private Car

Passenger Record (see attachment 2) that identifies all passengers that will be on-board the private car.

The person-in-charge will give the completed form(s) to the Conductor, who will place these

document(s) in the Train Collections Pouch. If the NRPC 3160 form is unavailable, form NRPC 3085

On-Board Passenger Record may be substituted.

d) The person-in-charge of the private car must not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs throughout

the trip.

e) In the event that a Private Car Owner cannot meet these requirements, Amtrak will provide an additional

crew member to accompany the car at the Owners expense.

 

[Alice]

While I clearly am not worthy, I'm wondering what that window over the back observation deck (with its own windshield wiper) is for.

It houses a camera that's connected to a screen and recording equipment inside the car to provide those inside with a view of the tracks behind.

Mr. Boardman said the Beech Grove is not just a corporate car, it is a working car. The equipment on the back, including the camera, is used to check track gauge, among other things, especially in the NE Corridor.

 

[George Harris]

While I clearly am not worthy, I'm wondering what that window over the back observation deck (with its own windshield wiper) is for.

It houses a camera that's connected to a screen and recording equipment inside the car to provide those inside with a view of the tracks behind.

That's one thing I never understood about Beech Grove. If you wanted to look out behind you, couldn't you just stand behind the door?

Another question-- since private cars being hauled by Amtrak need a conductor on board, does Beech Grove need one too even though it is Amtrak rolling stock?

The camera records so the information can be analyzed later. You can also pause and back up, which is a little more difficult to do with the train.

I think the information given by Alice adequately explains that you do not need an amtrak employee for movement of your private car so long as you are or have someone willing to take the responsibility and do the paperwork Amtrak requires.

 

[Joel N. Weber II]

Mr. Boardman said the Beech Grove is not just a corporate car, it is a working car. The equipment on the back, including the camera, is used to check track gauge, among other things, especially in the NE Corridor.

I'm skeptical a video camera is sufficient to reliably check that the track gauge meets FRA class 8 or 9 specs, but it wouldn't surprise me if the system is set up so that where a problem with the track gauge is detected, you can see what the video camera saw at the point where the track was out of gauge to help to confirm the location of the track that needs to be fixed.

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

Mr. Boardman said the Beech Grove is not just a corporate car, it is a working car. The equipment on the back, including the camera, is used to check track gauge, among other things, especially in the NE Corridor.

I'm skeptical a video camera is sufficient to reliably check that the track gauge meets FRA class 8 or 9 specs, but it wouldn't surprise me if the system is set up so that where a problem with the track gauge is detected, you can see what the video camera saw at the point where the track was out of gauge to help to confirm the location of the track that needs to be fixed.

Excuse me if that sounds like a pretty roundabout way of doing things.

 

[Joel N. Weber II]

Whooz That On Beech Grove?? (Picasa pics)

There are HEP cables in that picture, but there's also something that looks like a red hose. What's that for?

Also, there are only two connectors visible in the photo of the stationary HEP source. Are there four cables coming out of the stationary HEP source, or just two?

And, there's something that looks like a thin wire just to the right of the white light on the back of the car. What's that for?

 

[Joel N. Weber II]

Mr. Boardman said the Beech Grove is not just a corporate car, it is a working car. The equipment on the back, including the camera, is used to check track gauge, among other things, especially in the NE Corridor.

I'm skeptical a video camera is sufficient to reliably check that the track gauge meets FRA class 8 or 9 specs, but it wouldn't surprise me if the system is set up so that where a problem with the track gauge is detected, you can see what the video camera saw at the point where the track was out of gauge to help to confirm the location of the track that needs to be fixed.

Excuse me if that sounds like a pretty roundabout way of doing things.

It may not be the primary way of identifying where the car was when it found a defect (if GPS and/or dead reconing data is available), but if the maintenance crew goes out there and doesn't find the defect, having the video might be useful for trying to figure out what the car really observed..

It's also possible that they installed the video camera window on the car long before they were able to get their hands on a GPS reciever.

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

Mr. Boardman said the Beech Grove is not just a corporate car, it is a working car. The equipment on the back, including the camera, is used to check track gauge, among other things, especially in the NE Corridor.

I'm skeptical a video camera is sufficient to reliably check that the track gauge meets FRA class 8 or 9 specs, but it wouldn't surprise me if the system is set up so that where a problem with the track gauge is detected, you can see what the video camera saw at the point where the track was out of gauge to help to confirm the location of the track that needs to be fixed.

Excuse me if that sounds like a pretty roundabout way of doing things.

It may not be the primary way of identifying where the car was when it found a defect (if GPS and/or dead reconing data is available), but if the maintenance crew goes out there and doesn't find the defect, having the video might be useful for trying to figure out what the car really observed..

It's also possible that they installed the video camera window on the car long before they were able to get their hands on a GPS reciever.

That's true. Given that we don't see the Beech Grove out for anything less than pomp and circumstance functions-- it may be that the car is defunct in many of its intended uses.

 

[Joel N. Weber II]

Given that we don't see the Beech Grove out for anything less than pomp and circumstance functions-- it may be that the car is defunct in many of its intended uses.

I also wonder if Beech Grove is the backup for whichever car normally does inspections on the NEC. It's quite possible that only one working track inspection car is needed, but I think if more than a few days or a week go by without a track inspection car having done the inspection, the Acela can no longer run at its top speed.

 

[tp49]

Those pictures have a severe lack of fez.

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

Given that we don't see the Beech Grove out for anything less than pomp and circumstance functions-- it may be that the car is defunct in many of its intended uses.

I also wonder if Beech Grove is the backup for whichever car normally does inspections on the NEC. It's quite possible that only one working track inspection car is needed, but I think if more than a few days or a week go by without a track inspection car having done the inspection, the Acela can no longer run at its top speed.

It is possible, but doesn't the inspection car have to also inspect the cants? Beech Grove doesn't have anything to poke the spider webs, does it?

 

[had8ley]

Good job Patrick; did he manage to talk you out of the fez or out of a fez???

 

[Long Train Runnin']

Now if you got Boardman to put of a Fez I'd be impressed :lol: :lol:

 

[WhoozOn1st]

Whooz That On Beech Grove?? (Picasa pics)

There are HEP cables in that picture, but there's also something that looks like a red hose. What's that for?

Can't speak to the other stuff, II, but the red hose seen in pic 3 (bad focus) and pic 4 (Boardman) is a propane line running from the two cannisters that can be seen rigged and chained to the rail under the end of the car; for cooking, no doubt. Boardman's in town 'til Wednesday, I'm heading home tomorrow, so hopefully before boarding I'll be able to get maybe a few more pics so's we can figure these other things out.

Back from NARP/RailPAC after dinner at Olvera Street (Cinco de Mayo festival in progress, and going back tonight for some music and fun).

Myself, Alice, and sportbiker (Mark) were seated front row in the Metro Board Room of the Metro Gateway Center (LACMTA HQ) - big monolith behind Union Station. This is where public meetings of the LACMTA Board (chaired by L.A. mayor Antonio Villaraigosa) are held. Quite a room.

Following his introduction, Big Joe Boardman nodded and smiled to us as he strolled past on his way to the podium. In remarks prefacing his main topic, Boardman was noting how quickly Amtrak was committing stimulus money, then gave a shout out to us by name, Alice and Patrick, explaining to the meeting that we had dropped by 10001 yesterday and taken some pictures. Then he said he'd seen yesterday's pics, and said something like "You sure got those up fast!" I replied, "We like to work fast too." SHOCK. I turned to sportbiker and shrugged; he shrugged back. A totally unnecessary - but very cool - acknowledgement. Also an indication that somebody at Amtrak, if not Boardman himself, is aware of us. In speaking with him Friday I had mentioned AU only in passing.

I have a few more general pics to upload/add to the Picasa album, then I'll try to get back here to tell the terrible tale of the Whooz/Joe Boardman Beech Grove Affair before heading again to Olvera Street.

BTW, the meeting itself, which went all day with a lunch break, was very interesting. Details will be distilled from the copious notes taken by the Patrick & Alice RailRiot 2009's Executive Assistant, then reported elsewhere at a later date.

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

It would not surprise me if Boardman is watching us... Seriously, all you need to do is look at his name. Board-man. He's looking at our boards!

... hi Joe!

 

[WhoozOn1st]

Okay, folks, no Beech Grove Affair story tonight; gotta get rolling. But I've added some pics taken today from the 3rd floor of the Metro Gateway Center during meeting breaks and lunch.

I'd like to extend a special thanks to Pat Shaw, Joe Boardman's Executive Assistant, for graciously getting the group shots on Friday. Woulda done it earlier, but didn't wanna get her name wrong.

Whooz That On Beech Grove??