Are these for the New EMU rail cars?Pictures and info...
http://www.railpac.org/2010/04/26/railcar-...ent-open-house/
I think that the mod who moved it was thinking Caltrain, the commuter service between San Fran and San Jose, not Caltrans which runs the Surfliners, Capitol Corridor, and the San Joaquin's.Why was this moved? Caltrans is heavily involved with Amtrak via its role in Amtrak California. On the other hand, these cars are intended to be the platform of a national bilevel car design providing some savings to states who participate in the program (and Amtrak, if it were to participate in the program).
It's kind of hard to tell from the pictures, but also please remember that these are renderings, not the actual drawings. Caltans will release the actuals at the end of the month according to the article.Is it me or are the windows smaller than the current ones? (like Amfleet I small!)
Rob
And it is no accident. If what I have heard sitting behind the operating cab of the soutbound San Joaquins is any example, the operation is getting enthusiastic cooperation from the railroad dispatchers, those running on BNSF, at least. Listening to the conversation you would think they are clearing for the Super Chief. I can think of only one most minimal delay by a freight train on the BNSF part. In fact, most riders don't seem to realize that the line is mostly single track. I also once heard an announcement from a conductor as we were stopped on a northbound, that we are being held here because this is where we change from BNSF to UP tracks.We may screw up just about everything else, but our train system is cheap, reliable, and popular (2nd, 3rd, and 5th busiest routes in the nation). I never hear "nobody rides trains" from people around here.
It's not just the SJs that BSNF is helping to keep on time (or even ahead of schedule).And it is no accident. If what I have heard sitting behind the operating cab of the soutbound San Joaquins is any example, the operation is getting enthusiastic cooperation from the railroad dispatchers, those running on BNSF, at least. Listening to the conversation you would think they are clearing for the Super Chief. I can think of only one most minimal delay by a freight train on the BNSF part. In fact, most riders don't seem to realize that the line is mostly single track. I also once heard an announcement from a conductor as we were stopped on a northbound, that we are being held here because this is where we change from BNSF to UP tracks.We may screw up just about everything else, but our train system is cheap, reliable, and popular (2nd, 3rd, and 5th busiest routes in the nation). I never hear "nobody rides trains" from people around here.
The Surfliners, at least the ones I have been on, had open racks.I think the existing California cars have bins instead of overhead racks. I certainly hope they dump the bins. Riding a California train (or an Acela train), and hearing those bins open and close every 10-15 minutes as people board/alight drives me nuts.
I also hope they dump that horrible seating and go with something like what the Surfliners have.
Yes, Surfliner equipment has open racks, as of course do the Amfleets in the usual 799/798/792 consist. I too think bins would be a bad idea. The SJs have bins, huh? Only ridden once, and don't recall noticing. Mr. Observant! <_<The Surfliners, at least the ones I have been on, had open racks.I think the existing California cars have bins instead of overhead racks. I certainly hope they dump the bins. Riding a California train (or an Acela train), and hearing those bins open and close every 10-15 minutes as people board/alight drives me nuts.
I also hope they dump that horrible seating and go with something like what the Surfliners have.
I've seen both types on the CC trains that I've ridden so there seems to be a mix of car styles up here. While I haven't had a need for overhead storage (yet ) I do agree that the enclosed bins do look considerably smaller and are probably a bit more difficult to stash a bag into. They do give the car interior a 'cleaner' look but that is hardly justification for the lack of practicality.Yes, Surfliner equipment has open racks, as of course do the Amfleets in the usual 799/798/592 consist. I too think bins would be a bad idea. The SJs have bins, huh? Only ridden once, and don't recall noticing. Mr. Observant! <_<The Surfliners, at least the ones I have been on, had open racks.I think the existing California cars have bins instead of overhead racks. I certainly hope they dump the bins. Riding a California train (or an Acela train), and hearing those bins open and close every 10-15 minutes as people board/alight drives me nuts.
I also hope they dump that horrible seating and go with something like what the Surfliners have.
Airliner style overhead bins are indeed ridiculous for any sort of passenger train - and a tremendous inconvenience as well. Why sacrifice space and utility in a silly attempt to simulate airline travel? I could apply the same comments to the Acela and VIA Rail LRC coaches as well!yes I myself have been amazed by the OTP of the trains recently. I am also hoping to see Caltrans ditch the Overhead bins in favor of the racks that are seen on the Surfliner/Superliner equipment. The bins are simply to small to be of any use with the storage of the carry-on baggage commonly seen on Amtrak trains. Honestly the top three priorities I can think of are Doors, PA Systems that work, and usable storage areas. Hope that we (you, myself and other co-workers) can convince Caltrans of the same. Be sure to put in your comments on the Open House website starting tomarrow.
Flying baggage was a serious enough issue in the Chase crash that caused FRA to mandate the dividers in the luggage racks to give luggage less freedom of movement to fly off. They actually wanted bins back then but retrofitting all cars was deemed impractical. So when Tier II came by, they insisted, though I don't know whether it is written as a regulation in a CFR that makes them mandatory. In any case it will probably be a battle getting approval for a Tier II car with open racks. But then you never know, things could change too.Yes, and the insta-porn machines do enhance safety in the air, it's just a question of how much in relation to convenience and privacy. Has there been cases of projectiles hurting people flying from the luggage racks before? Does the potential benefit outweigh the loss of convenience?
The issue here is whether safety should trump convenience. If one stays home when road conditions are bad (even if his or her car can handle the roads), he/she is doing what is convenient and what is believed to be safe. I don't see how yours is an adequate analogy to the issue of luggage bins/racks.You know, I think we've become a country of mice. We shield our selves from every possible danger, even if it means losing tons of utility. When I was growing up, I remember my dad going to work every single day- even in relatively bad snow.
I remember heavy traffic on the Garden State as many front-heavy, rear-wheel drive, cars battled the snow and ice to get to work.
And now? Now, on such snow days, I see lots of 4WD cars and trucks sitting in peoples driveways... going nowhere. And an empty parkway. State of Emergancy for... 6 inches of snow? Dear lord, would our mice please drop their whiskers, big ears, and tail and go back to being men?
At least in this case regarding the Acela, there is no loss of utility. So therefore there is no reason not to protect people from harm if it's at all possible.You know, I think we've become a country of mice. We shield our selves from every possible danger, even if it means losing tons of utility.
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