battalion51
Engineer
Herzog TSI has announced recently that it will not be pursuing the renewal of its operations and mechanical contract with Tri-Rail. Currently Herzog operates 20 roundtrips on weekedays (and limited weekend service) for Tri-Rail between Mangonia Park and Miami International Airport. Herzog also has the Mechanical contract to maintain Tri-Rail's fleet of 16 locomotives, 11 cab cars, and 15 passenger cars.
So what does this mean? The Tri-Rail contract is up for grabs. Rumors are saying CSX is making a big push to get the maintenance (and possibly Operations) contract. Other contenders include Amtrak, who is also making a big push for the contract, and new kid on the block Connex. Bombardier is also rumored to be seeking the maintenance contract. Herzog's contract expires at the end of June 2007, so who takes over the contract with the state DOT will be determined in the near future.
It seems apparent with this strong push by Amtrak for the contract that new President Alexander Kummant is very much in favor of continuing to operate commuter trains. The decision makes sense as it can only favor Amtrak in the end by allowing great flexibility for crew assignments, and dispatching for its own trains.
CSX is supposed to also be relinquishing Dispatching Control to the DOT in the near future, I'd imagine the party that wins the Operations contract will also take dispatching control. Should Amtrak be at the helm I imagine it would be rolled in with OPS at CETC in Philadelphia.
So what does this mean? The Tri-Rail contract is up for grabs. Rumors are saying CSX is making a big push to get the maintenance (and possibly Operations) contract. Other contenders include Amtrak, who is also making a big push for the contract, and new kid on the block Connex. Bombardier is also rumored to be seeking the maintenance contract. Herzog's contract expires at the end of June 2007, so who takes over the contract with the state DOT will be determined in the near future.
It seems apparent with this strong push by Amtrak for the contract that new President Alexander Kummant is very much in favor of continuing to operate commuter trains. The decision makes sense as it can only favor Amtrak in the end by allowing great flexibility for crew assignments, and dispatching for its own trains.
CSX is supposed to also be relinquishing Dispatching Control to the DOT in the near future, I'd imagine the party that wins the Operations contract will also take dispatching control. Should Amtrak be at the helm I imagine it would be rolled in with OPS at CETC in Philadelphia.