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  1. W

    Amtrak Cascades Service discussion

    Maybe no passengers on a train makes it a freight? Whenever BNSF closes a section due to a landslide it allows train to pass without any passengers.
  2. W

    Container Ship strikes and collapses Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge

    Whatever type bridge is built, it is most likely that the support piers will be way outside the navigation channel. That allowing no chance of a ship hitting them. That brings up the question , Were the piers when the bridge was built outside the then navigation channel? Agree that a pair of...
  3. W

    TriRail considering extension to Veteran's Hospital in Riviera Beach

    For those not familiar how close could a Tri Rail platform come to the closest VA entrance?
  4. W

    Container Ship strikes and collapses Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge

    Your mention of the Sunshine bridge collapse brings up some interesting engineering changes. Key bridge built before Sunshine collapse. The thru trusses design of the original Sunshine caused more bridge to collaspe. Now all the trusses that were connected on the Key bridge came down. That...
  5. W

    Chicago Metra Electric District (MED) speed increases?

    The answer will be for replacement SS and Metra electric new equipment have space, be wired, and insulated for dual voltage future service. The transformers, rectifiers, inverters need not even be bought and / or installed until conversion is close at hand, Any CAT work or repair could be set...
  6. W

    Chicago Metra Electric District (MED) speed increases?

    If you think Amtrak which owns CHI Union Station will go with 1500 V DC find that very hard to even give it half consideration. Amtrak wants less different power types not more. 1500 Volt DC on Metra and South Shore is a one off now not used any else in North America. If you look closely at...
  7. W

    SunRail Deland Station construction

    What was the MAS Debarry <> Deland before this construction and what will it be once construction is complete?
  8. W

    Brightline Trains West!

    Why not buy Airo type train sets? Have them with 200 MPH trucks and that speed gearing of traction motors. Run diesel on the say 1 - 1/4 % grades and use CAT for steeper grades. With track rights, Amtrak operating crews, or Metrolink crews operating into LAX Union station solves that access...
  9. W

    Bid Up questions and experiences

    Has there ever been a bid up offered to business class from coach?
  10. W

    East of Mississippi Long Distance (LD) trains 2024

    To this Indianapolis native who took the "South Wind" as a kid and teenager, a Chicago-Florida train with one night out would be a winner. A lot of work to be done, to be sure, but the routing should be CHI-IND-LOU-NAS-ATL-JAX. CHI-ATL "DAY" AND ATL-JAX" overnight. If the northbound Crescent...
  11. W

    Planes overhead

    Learn what the various landing and nav light patterns and you can identify some at night. The state of Tennessee legislature has gone into the silly season, It is trying to pass a law banning jet contrails over the state as it is claiming contrails have dangerous chemicals. Guess the pols...
  12. W

    SEPTA plans to scrap Key Card fare collection to smartphone system

    Have no idea but the expense of using credit cards might be more than offset by a higher percentage of fares paid Vs, fare evasion??? I suspect that any agency doing such a study would try to hide the results?
  13. W

    Brightline Trains Florida discussion 2024 Q1

    Brightline has 5 advantages over Amtrak. 1. The track it operates on does not have a lot of freight train interference, 2. It operates with the freights on almost all 2 main tracks so it can pass easily any freight interference. Note how the on time on the NEC is today at 20:00. All Short...
  14. W

    Getting to New York Penn Station

    Walking under the 8th Ave subway please do not panic. A subway train overhead is very noisy.
  15. W

    East of Mississippi Long Distance (LD) trains 2024

    Although would prefer Superliners on the Capitol the use of single level cars does have some advantages. One coach and 1 sleeper could connect with a Silver train. One less coach and sleeper on a silver north of WASH should not effect ridership. That should only require one more sleeper and...
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