Joel N. Weber II
Engineer
Let's hypothetically assume that the issues with coupling one Acela trainset to another could be resolved to the point where they could be run together at 150 MPH, to allow for longer Acela trains without needing longer maintenance facilities. (I've previously suggested that a possible way to do this might be to order 20 new Acela trainsets, similar to the existing 20, but with a better coupler design on the power cars, and then trade power cars between the old and new trainsets so that each of the 40 trainsets would have one old power car that can be coupled to a P42 for low speed operation, and a new power car that could be coupled to another Acela trainset for high speed operation.)
What problems would come up with trying to operate double length trains with the existing infrastructure?
In particular, would there be enough yard space for overnight/weekend storage of the 20 additional trainsets? (I assume Boston would have to store 4 or so, and each of New York City and DC would have to store 8 or so.)
And what about platform length? It looks like 6 Acela passenger cars plus a power car are about 580 feet, so the length from the first passenger car to the last passenger car on a double length trainset would be about 1160 feet. IIRC, the typical length used when someone wants to build a maximum length platform in the NEC is currently 1050 feet. Would simply not opening the door at the front of the first car and the back of the last car be a viable option? Would lengthening the platforms to 1200 or 1300 feet be practical?
What problems would come up with trying to operate double length trains with the existing infrastructure?
In particular, would there be enough yard space for overnight/weekend storage of the 20 additional trainsets? (I assume Boston would have to store 4 or so, and each of New York City and DC would have to store 8 or so.)
And what about platform length? It looks like 6 Acela passenger cars plus a power car are about 580 feet, so the length from the first passenger car to the last passenger car on a double length trainset would be about 1160 feet. IIRC, the typical length used when someone wants to build a maximum length platform in the NEC is currently 1050 feet. Would simply not opening the door at the front of the first car and the back of the last car be a viable option? Would lengthening the platforms to 1200 or 1300 feet be practical?