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Postponed twice in a row (NJT to replace Arrow IIIs with ''Multilevel Power Cars'')

Posted by Olog-hai on Mon Oct 22 17:28:04 2012, in response to NJT to replace Arrow IIIs with "Multilevel Power Cars", posted by Olog-hai on Sat Aug 4 18:39:29 2012.

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NJ Transit officials worry about replacement rail cars

Action put off a second time

By Larry Higgs
Oct 22, 2012

NEWARK — NJ Transit officials want to ensure that new rail cars aren’t lemons they would be stuck with for decades, as they debate replacing the silver-sided Arrow III rail cars, which are older than the agency itself.

NJ Transit’s board on Oct. 15 postponed approval, for the second time, of a $1.4 million contract with LTK Engineering Services to design a self-propelled version of the agency’s popular multilevel cars for use on the commuter railroad’s electrified lines.

“I’m not in favor of moving forward, because I’m afraid of saddling this agency with something for the next 50 years … that could be a disaster,” said James Simpson, state transportation commissioner.

The measure prompted an unusual protracted public discussion between Simpson, NJ Transit senior staff and some board members.

“Why are we designing them and the first to use them?” asked board member Bruce Meisel. “It always concerns me a little when you’re a pioneer in technology.”

Weight is an issue with the existing, locomotive-hauled multilevels, because trains made up of the heavy cars don’t have the same acceleration capabilities as the 35-year-old Arrows on sections of the Morris & Essex and Northeast Corridor lines, where stations are close together and trains have to start and stop quickly.

Commuter advocate David Peter Alan blamed the heaviness of the multilevels for longer traveling times and lengthy schedules on the Morris & Essex lines, because they can’t accelerate as fast as the Arrows or single-level cars hauled by a locomotive.

“We don’t see how converting this (multilevel) equipment to self-powered would help,” said Alan, president of the Lackawanna Commuter Coalition. “We suggest testing SEPTA’s (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) new Silverliner V cars, which already run on the Northeast Corridor. It’s far less expensive than building something new.”

It’s building something new and untested that has Simpson and NJ Transit board members worried.

“I’m afraid we’ll be the guinea pig,” said Myron Shevell, a veteran board member.

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