As some of you may be aware, Amtrak released their FY20-25 asset line plan recently. Some of the details have been discussed in other threads, but I figured this can be a central location to discuss anything and everything from the document.
Here are the big things, in my own opinion:
1) California is proposing several service improvements and expansions in California, including the Coast Daylight and an as-yet un-named service to the Coachella Valley from LA
2) Major infrastructure improvements nationwide, including double-tracking the AML between Kalamazoo and Niles, building a third main between Ragan and Brandy in Delaware, two new interlockings in the Northeast, re-configuring North Penn, the Hudson Tunnel Project, and replacing Portal North.
3) Master plans have been or are being developed for most major stations on the system, including Chicago, NYP, WAS, PHL, and Baltimore.
4) The system-wide maintenance backlog is estimated to be at $33.9 billion.
5) 75 ALC-42s have been ordered; exercising the options will depend on the AMF I replacement that is chosen as well as any national network changes that arise out of Amtrak's reauthorization. The first unit is to enter service next summer with all 75 being delivered by 2024.
6) All Talgo service with Amtrak Cascades will be transitioned to AMF I replacement. In the meantime, once all CALIDOT cars have been delivered, the AMF and Horizon units will be redeployed to service the Cascades and increase frequencies or start new services elsewhere. Talgo VIII units are short-term only.
7) Amtrak is seriously considering dual-power modes for services that operate both on and off the NEC to eliminate power swaps.
8) Superliner replacement is on hold for the time being pending a study on whether replacing or rebuilding the Supers is the most cost-effective option as well as any NN changes post-reauthorization. AMF II replacement is also on hold pending AMF I replacement choice and if the AMF I replacement is a viable candidate to use for the AMF II replacement as well as changing some services over to corridor units, such as what is happening with the Palmetto.
9) Bag and bag/dorm cars may see reduced service on the Carolinian, Pennsylvanian, and NE Regional trains 66/67, with those services potentially transitioning to trainsets, as well as potential changes to the NN pending reauthorization.
10) Amtrak is considering modifying the Viewliner II diners for the "Flexible Dining" program, potentially allowing for such diners to be deployed to the Silver Star and Cardinal.
11) Amtrak plans to use 25 V-II sleepers to increase capacity as well as potential deployment on 66/67.
12) New routes outlined for FY21-25:
FY 21: Ethan Allen extension to Burlington, VT; Pacific Surfliner 14th round-trip between LA and SD; Richmond round-trip extended to Norfolk
FY22: Capitol Corridor extended to Salinas w/ 2 new RTs between SAC and OAK; Roanoke 2nd RT to Lynchburg; Gulf Coast service (NOL to Mobile)
FY23: Hiawatha RTs 8, 9, and 10; Keystone 14th RT; Pere Marquette connection to New Buffalo; Twin Cities service (CHI-MSP)
FY24: Piedmont 4th RT; Pennsylvanian 2nd RT; Chicago-Moline service
FY25: Chicago-Rockford service
TBD: Extending the Vermonter to Montreal.
13: New initiatives for the LDSL include just about everything from fleet planning and acquisition to introducing an entirely new class of service. It's just too long to put in here but it's interesting. I will say that Amtrak is still toying with the Southwest Chief, but it doesn't give specifics.
Link to the documents:
Asset Line: https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/...splanning/Amtrak-Asset-Line-Plans-FY21-25.pdf
Service Line:
https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/...lanning/Amtrak-Service-Line-Plans-FY21-25.pdf
Here are the big things, in my own opinion:
1) California is proposing several service improvements and expansions in California, including the Coast Daylight and an as-yet un-named service to the Coachella Valley from LA
2) Major infrastructure improvements nationwide, including double-tracking the AML between Kalamazoo and Niles, building a third main between Ragan and Brandy in Delaware, two new interlockings in the Northeast, re-configuring North Penn, the Hudson Tunnel Project, and replacing Portal North.
3) Master plans have been or are being developed for most major stations on the system, including Chicago, NYP, WAS, PHL, and Baltimore.
4) The system-wide maintenance backlog is estimated to be at $33.9 billion.
5) 75 ALC-42s have been ordered; exercising the options will depend on the AMF I replacement that is chosen as well as any national network changes that arise out of Amtrak's reauthorization. The first unit is to enter service next summer with all 75 being delivered by 2024.
6) All Talgo service with Amtrak Cascades will be transitioned to AMF I replacement. In the meantime, once all CALIDOT cars have been delivered, the AMF and Horizon units will be redeployed to service the Cascades and increase frequencies or start new services elsewhere. Talgo VIII units are short-term only.
7) Amtrak is seriously considering dual-power modes for services that operate both on and off the NEC to eliminate power swaps.
8) Superliner replacement is on hold for the time being pending a study on whether replacing or rebuilding the Supers is the most cost-effective option as well as any NN changes post-reauthorization. AMF II replacement is also on hold pending AMF I replacement choice and if the AMF I replacement is a viable candidate to use for the AMF II replacement as well as changing some services over to corridor units, such as what is happening with the Palmetto.
9) Bag and bag/dorm cars may see reduced service on the Carolinian, Pennsylvanian, and NE Regional trains 66/67, with those services potentially transitioning to trainsets, as well as potential changes to the NN pending reauthorization.
10) Amtrak is considering modifying the Viewliner II diners for the "Flexible Dining" program, potentially allowing for such diners to be deployed to the Silver Star and Cardinal.
11) Amtrak plans to use 25 V-II sleepers to increase capacity as well as potential deployment on 66/67.
12) New routes outlined for FY21-25:
FY 21: Ethan Allen extension to Burlington, VT; Pacific Surfliner 14th round-trip between LA and SD; Richmond round-trip extended to Norfolk
FY22: Capitol Corridor extended to Salinas w/ 2 new RTs between SAC and OAK; Roanoke 2nd RT to Lynchburg; Gulf Coast service (NOL to Mobile)
FY23: Hiawatha RTs 8, 9, and 10; Keystone 14th RT; Pere Marquette connection to New Buffalo; Twin Cities service (CHI-MSP)
FY24: Piedmont 4th RT; Pennsylvanian 2nd RT; Chicago-Moline service
FY25: Chicago-Rockford service
TBD: Extending the Vermonter to Montreal.
13: New initiatives for the LDSL include just about everything from fleet planning and acquisition to introducing an entirely new class of service. It's just too long to put in here but it's interesting. I will say that Amtrak is still toying with the Southwest Chief, but it doesn't give specifics.
Link to the documents:
Asset Line: https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/...splanning/Amtrak-Asset-Line-Plans-FY21-25.pdf
Service Line:
https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/...lanning/Amtrak-Service-Line-Plans-FY21-25.pdf
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