I'm going to visit the train, in Oakland this weekend. I think it is the 40th anniversay Amtrak museum train. I believe it has crossed the US, or is going to. Not sure of the schedule. I wonder about the engineer. Do they have one or two guys take this train all the way, or do they pick up local engineers every so many miles? How do they do that? Can an engineer take a train through an area where he has never been before? Between dispatchers and signals I would think it could be done but don't know???
Engineer for the museum train
- Thread starter Ronnie1a
- Start date
Help Support Amtrak Unlimited Discussion Forum:
- Status
Dutchrailnut
Conductor
local engineers, no one is qualified all across the USA
Last edited by a moderator:
Tumbleweed
OBS Chief
If an engineer is not familiar/qualified on a portion of a route, they must be accompanied by a pilot engineer who is qualified on that route.....
Dutchrailnut
Conductor
again the Museum train with a P42 (which just happens to be painted pretty) is operated by engineer from local crew base.
nothing special in operating a shiny P42 vs a dirty P42.
printman2000
Engineer
Isn't it a P40?
printman2000
Engineer
Last week I went to see Union Pacific's steam pulled train. I assume it uses the same crew no matter where it goes. How many steam engineers could they have around? However, it looks like they schedule stops of the train so the crew can get their time off while the train is being displayed.
printman2000
Engineer
So do they tack it on to the rear, locomotives and all? Or do they move the loco to the front with the others?
Dutchrailnut
Conductor
even so it operates the same as a P42 or P40, so whats your point besides being a nitt picker.
Ryan
Court Jester
His point was that you were wrong. You know darn well that if he had made the mistake you would have called him on it, I've seen you do it.
printman2000
Engineer
Dude, really? My simple question really offended you? It was a simple question of curiosity.
It generally runs with all the engines up front (regular engines, then the two anniversary units), then the anniversary cars in deadhead position (in front of the baggage car), then the regular consist.
printman2000
Engineer
That makes sense. Have you seen any pictures of this on the web?
Haven't seen any photos, but I saw it in person when it arrived in Chicago on 49 back in September, and when it left on 7 last month.
printman2000
Engineer
And where was your camera?
This would be interesting to see with the San Joaquin between Oakland and Bakersfield next week. However, I'm guessing that they'll just nab one the engineers, rather than go through the rigamarole.
- Status
