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Post by backshophoss on Sept 4, 2015 18:26:26 GMT -5
While not yet modeled(But can be kitbashed)Metrolink's Rotem Cab Cars are under a safety review due to an accident at Oxnard Ca with a HD pickup truck and trailer,that also caused a derailment, due to a possible design failure of the pilot plow. So out of extreme caution,Metrolink(SCAX)is leasing BNSF power to put in front of the Cab Cars untill the safety review is done. For Modelers with dummy units,here's away to use them! The Rotem Cab Cars were built after the Chatsworth Wreck,replacing the original BBD cab cars, they were converted into coaches. For people who want to read the background info about this plan on Metrolink suggest www.railroad.netThere are 2 threads in the California Commuter Forum to read.  |
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Post by slowfreight on Sept 5, 2015 7:41:22 GMT -5
Hmmm....So Metrolink's knee-jerk reactionary purchase from Rotem didn't work out. Maybe they should have followed the lead of Metra and Caltrain and bought gallery cars instead. Gallery cars actually have a really good track record in collisions with semi trucks.
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Post by backshophoss on Sept 5, 2015 18:36:52 GMT -5
At the Oxnard wreck,a "F-350" type truck with a trailer,setup as a portable maintaince "shop"
and the trailer was a portable refuelng/lube oil rig for Ag Equipment(farm tractors,combines,etc)
Driver thought he was on a "Farm service road"!
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Post by backshophoss on Oct 11, 2015 19:23:25 GMT -5
The locos Metrolink reportly be leasing will be stored BNSF AC-44's from the coal unit train power pool
in Alliance Ne.
As part of the deal,Metrolink's PTC gear will be installed on the leased units by Metrolink.
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jwb
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Post by jwb on Oct 13, 2015 13:29:12 GMT -5
Although Metrolink originally announced this would happen "as soon as possible", so far, it hasn't. There are other issues -- an extra loco on the cab car end will throw the handicapped ramps out of whack at Union Station.
The whole cab car question is a little strange. The FRA and NTSB have never outlawed the original Bombardier cab cars, which are still in use in Utah, Florida, San Diego, Altamont, Seattle, etc. Metrolink put these in storage, where they still are. My understanding is that the design flaw in the Rotem cars was big enough for FRA to threaten to outlaw them outright, thus now the locos at the cab car end. But why not just pull the old cab cars out of storage?
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Post by backshophoss on Oct 13, 2015 18:57:53 GMT -5
I understood that the original BBD cab cars were to converted into coaches,if they were stored,
Air Brake updates and PTC control gear installation would be needed.
The BBD cab cars lack the structure upgrades that was done to the Rotem Design cab cars,there're
plenty of Grade Crossings on Metrolink's trackage,the cab is close to ground level,and fears of Chatsworth and
the wreck/failed suicide on the Valley Sub where the derailed cab car was shoved into a UP freight on a siding.
The reported design flaw is centered on the plow/pilot area.
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jwb
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Post by jwb on Oct 14, 2015 10:09:25 GMT -5
However, neither BNSF, Amtrak, nor UP is ready for PTC. As a stopgap, I don't understand why the BBD cars can't be put back in service -- all the other operators have grade crossings.
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Post by backshophoss on Oct 14, 2015 16:39:09 GMT -5
Metrolink's PTC is about to go online,and also use a ATS system developed by ATSF ages ago,that was installed
on all Metrolink's lines after Chatsworth wreck as a stopgap "fix".
ATSF used the system to run passenger trains at higher speeds than freights in the 80-95 mph range,
and to enforce speed limits on curved track on the Raton and Glorieta Subs thru the mountain passes.
Metrolink uses this system to enforce compliance to the wayside signals.
Metrolink's stance after the wrecks was to do away with the BBD cabs ASAP,thence the Rotem Cab Cars
were built,and WILL NOT allow BBD Cabs to be in the lead in push mode.
Most of Amtrak's Locos that operate on the Western LD trains are equiped with the ATS shoe and system,
that shoe is mounted on the front truck,#2 axle,engineer's side.
On the NEC,ACSES is already on line on most of the Corridor,with the remaining "gaps" by year's end
online and in use,NJT,MN,MBTA,LIRR,and MARC,will follow Amtrak's lead and install ACSES on their lines
a bit later
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Post by acelaphillies on Oct 16, 2015 16:48:00 GMT -5
Interesting discussion. I have never really been an opponent of cab cars, but looking at the recent Amtrak VT derailment it sure seems like a good thing that the P42 was leading:   Thankfully, nobody was severly injured. |
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Post by backshophoss on Oct 20, 2015 1:39:09 GMT -5
40 BNSF AC-44's in the 5600 class are now in Commerce Ca yard of BNSF
1 AC-44 is currently testing and fitted with Metrolink's PTC system.
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jwb
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Post by jwb on Nov 20, 2015 14:35:12 GMT -5
I've also heard that BNSF AC44s are at Union Station and have been in Amtrak consists, but I've also seen on another forum that Metrolink implementation has been delayed due to "problems". Any other info?
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Post by backshophoss on Dec 11, 2015 19:18:42 GMT -5
1 of the leased units is about to be tested,after ATS Equipment is installed,and
required mods of on board PTC equipment to work with Metrolink's wayside systems are done.
By March of 2016,all leased units should be online
There's a link in the RR.net thread to Metrolink's meeting notes.
Look for a ATS shoe mount on the lead truck on the Engineer's side,2nd or 3rd axle.
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Post by backshophoss on Dec 17, 2015 3:15:38 GMT -5
If testing done today and tonight are successful,Metrolink will start next week using the BNSF
leased units in front of the Rotem Cab Cars. An early "X-mas" present for Metrolink's ridership.
Leaked from not yet public reports,a possabilty of "defective" castings/parts were used.
Since the NTSB is still involved,there're still some answers missing.
There're are links to 2 news stories over in the RR.net thread
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jwb
Member
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Post by jwb on Dec 17, 2015 11:02:46 GMT -5
Can you provide a link to the rr.net thread?
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Post by backshophoss on Jan 29, 2016 21:26:40 GMT -5
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