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Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF

Posted by Dutchrailnut on Fri Jul 23 14:45:05 2010

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http://cbs3.com/wireapnewspa/Amtrak.buying.130.2.1821561.html

New Amtrak viewliners to be built by CAF in Elmira NY

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Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF

Posted by Hank Eisenstein on Fri Jul 23 15:17:19 2010, in response to Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF, posted by Dutchrailnut on Fri Jul 23 14:45:05 2010.

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CAF=Spain?

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(959578)

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Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF

Posted by Dutchrailnut on Fri Jul 23 15:25:43 2010, in response to Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF, posted by Hank Eisenstein on Fri Jul 23 15:17:19 2010.

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yup spanish company based in old ABB plant in Elmira NY

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(959589)

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Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF

Posted by SelkirkTMO on Fri Jul 23 15:44:59 2010, in response to Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF, posted by Hank Eisenstein on Fri Jul 23 15:17:19 2010.

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Same folks who made those lovely WMATA telescopes. :(

D'Amato strikes again?

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(959596)

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Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF

Posted by Dutchrailnut on Fri Jul 23 15:57:57 2010, in response to Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF, posted by SelkirkTMO on Fri Jul 23 15:44:59 2010.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 23, 2010
ATK-10-101
Contact: Media Relations
202 906.3860

AMTRAK BUYING 130 NEW PASSENGER RAIL CARS

To support long-distance train service
$298.1 million contract creates 575 jobs in Elmira, N.Y.

WASHINGTON – Amtrak is implementing the first step in a long-term, comprehensive fleet renewal plan with the purchase of 130 new single-level rail cars to support its long-distance train services. The five-year, $298.1 million contract is being awarded to CAF USA which is creating 575 jobs to perform manufacturing and final assembly work at its plant in Elmira, N.Y. The first car is scheduled to roll off the assembly line in October 2012.

“This major equipment purchase demonstrates our strong belief in the future of intercity passenger rail in America and Amtrak’s leading role in meeting this critical national transportation need,” said President and CEO Joseph Boardman.

Thomas Carper, chairman of the Amtrak board of directors, added: “We are replacing and renewing our fleet to improve reliability of our operations, to meet passenger expectations for quality service and to be in a better position to handle the growing demand for more passenger rail service. Addressing Amtrak’s equipment need is long overdue.”

Boardman explained that the 130 single-level passenger rail cars are similar to the popular Viewliner model and includes 25 sleeping cars, 25 diners, 55 baggage cars and 25 baggage / dormitory cars for use primarily on long-distance trains. They will replace and supplement the existing fleet, improve financial and on-time performance, and foster a more modern, positive image of Amtrak. In addition, Amtrak can begin to retire some of its oldest cars still in service that date back to the 1940s and 1950s.

Passengers will experience many improvements with the new equipment including: modern interiors with better layouts; better lighting and more efficient air conditioning and heating systems; additional outlets to power personal electronic devices; bicycle racks in the baggage cars; as well as improved accessibility for passengers with disabilities.

CAF USA along with its parent company, Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles of Beasain, Spain, is an experienced rail car manufacturer to the U.S. and world markets. CAF USA will manufacture the stainless steel car shells and perform final assembly of the cars at its Elmira, N.Y., facility where it currently produces transit rail equipment for several U.S. transit systems.

“This is a very exciting and pivotal moment in the history of CAF USA. As we move to consolidate our presence in the US, we view this contract as merely the first in what we hope will be many opportunities we will have to partner with Amtrak. We look forward to combining our maximum effort and expertise with the leadership and vision that the current administration has shown where passenger rail is concerned in the U.S.,” said Virginia Verdeja, CAF USA vice president.

The first year of the five-year contract will be paid for with $29.8 million from Amtrak’s current revenues which are running above budget estimates due, in part, to ridership that is on a record-breaking pace. Amtrak will seek to fund subsequent years of the contract with other sources such as loans or direct Congressional appropriations.

Furthermore, this equipment purchase is just the first step in Amtrak’s multiyear Fleet Strategy Plan to replace its entire fleet of passenger rail cars and locomotives over the next 30 years and help support the growth of a domestic rail manufacturing industry. Amtrak is currently reviewing bids to replace many of the electric locomotives used along the Northeast Corridor and may make a contract award yet this summer.

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(959601)

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Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF

Posted by WMATAGMOAGH on Fri Jul 23 16:22:42 2010, in response to Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF, posted by SelkirkTMO on Fri Jul 23 15:44:59 2010.

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The CAFs don't telescope. They had plenty of other problems though when they first arrived (late), and I think are still among the least reliable cars Metro operates.

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(959602)

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Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF

Posted by WMATAGMOAGH on Fri Jul 23 16:23:42 2010, in response to Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF, posted by Dutchrailnut on Fri Jul 23 14:45:05 2010.

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Ugh. This could be interesting, and not in a good way.

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(959621)

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Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF

Posted by Train Man Paul : Metro-North's Best Conductor FOR ALL 3 LINES!!! on Fri Jul 23 16:53:02 2010, in response to Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF, posted by Dutchrailnut on Fri Jul 23 15:57:57 2010.

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Adios, Heritage fleet!!!! :-( Lake Shore Limited, NYC to Chicago, IL...#49
Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

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(959627)

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Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF

Posted by Olog-hai on Fri Jul 23 17:22:52 2010, in response to Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF, posted by Dutchrailnut on Fri Jul 23 14:45:05 2010.

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Great. Expect rolling junk, like Irish Rail's Mark 4.



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(959630)

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Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF

Posted by Joe V on Fri Jul 23 17:31:06 2010, in response to Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF, posted by WMATAGMOAGH on Fri Jul 23 16:22:42 2010.

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Weren't they the ones that derailed to readily ?

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(959664)

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Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF

Posted by DCmetrogreen on Fri Jul 23 19:45:06 2010, in response to Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF, posted by Joe V on Fri Jul 23 17:31:06 2010.

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Yeah, problems with the air bag suspension, I believe.

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(959762)

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Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF

Posted by seabeachexpress on Fri Jul 23 23:46:21 2010, in response to Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF, posted by Dutchrailnut on Fri Jul 23 14:45:05 2010.

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I hope there are enough for a second Lake Shore. That train is just about always sold out.

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(959773)

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Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF

Posted by Jackson Park B Train on Sat Jul 24 00:58:41 2010, in response to Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF, posted by DCmetrogreen on Fri Jul 23 19:45:06 2010.

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As well as willful installation of out of spec alloy axles.

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(959779)

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Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF

Posted by SelkirkTMO on Sat Jul 24 01:26:09 2010, in response to Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF, posted by WMATAGMOAGH on Fri Jul 23 16:22:42 2010.

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Was it the Bredas then? Thought it was the CAF's that were in the lowest number range ...

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Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF

Posted by Joe V on Sat Jul 24 07:40:22 2010, in response to Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF, posted by SelkirkTMO on Sat Jul 24 01:26:09 2010.

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Metrorail Current 1,142-car Fleet
Manufacturer Series Number of Cars Year Added To The Fleet
Rohr Industries 1000 300 1974-1978
Breda Construzioni Ferroviarie 2000/3000 366 1983-1988
Breda Construzioni Ferroviarie 4000 100 1992-1994
Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, S.A. (CAF) 5000 192 2001-2004
Alstom 6000 184 2006-2008

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(960789)

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Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF

Posted by Jersey Mike on Tue Jul 27 15:06:06 2010, in response to Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF, posted by SelkirkTMO on Fri Jul 23 15:44:59 2010.

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No, the Rohr cars telescope.

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(960790)

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Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF

Posted by Jersey Mike on Tue Jul 27 15:08:14 2010, in response to Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF, posted by Train Man Paul : Metro-North's Best Conductor FOR ALL 3 LINES!!! on Fri Jul 23 16:53:02 2010.

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You won't see me shedding a tear over the old baggage cars. They have been simply run into the ground. I see any of the dining cars in reasonable condition being snapped up by the PV crowd or VIA.

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(960791)

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Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF

Posted by Jersey Mike on Tue Jul 27 15:09:44 2010, in response to Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF, posted by WMATAGMOAGH on Fri Jul 23 16:23:42 2010.

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Because the design is already done hopefully they won't have enough rope to hang themselves. Amtrak could also be hoping for cars with enough problems that contact penalties reduce the final cost.

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Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF

Posted by Scrabbleship on Tue Jul 27 15:18:42 2010, in response to Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF, posted by Jackson Park B Train on Sat Jul 24 00:58:41 2010.

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And seem to be the most prone to air conditioning failure next to the 1000's.

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Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF

Posted by The Flxible Neofan on Tue Jul 27 15:20:22 2010, in response to Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF, posted by Train Man Paul : Metro-North's Best Conductor FOR ALL 3 LINES!!! on Fri Jul 23 16:53:02 2010.

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Goodness, when as THAT taken?!

It has been years (a decade or more?) since I rode a Heritage car. Who was the original owner of these cars before Amtrak inherited them?

BTW, I wanna ride a Viewliner one day, but sleep accomodations really jack up the price of a ticket. :( One day... :)

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Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF

Posted by The Flxible Neofan on Tue Jul 27 15:22:10 2010, in response to Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF, posted by Olog-hai on Fri Jul 23 17:22:52 2010.

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What's wrong with them?

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Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF

Posted by Terrapin Station on Tue Jul 27 18:07:16 2010, in response to Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF, posted by SelkirkTMO on Sat Jul 24 01:26:09 2010.

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Strike 2...

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(960860)

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Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF

Posted by Terrapin Station on Tue Jul 27 18:26:38 2010, in response to Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF, posted by The Flxible Neofan on Tue Jul 27 15:20:22 2010.

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It has been years (a decade or more?) since I rode a Heritage car.





















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Terrapin Station


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(960863)

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Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF

Posted by Osmosis Jones on Tue Jul 27 18:34:46 2010, in response to Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF, posted by Terrapin Station on Tue Jul 27 18:26:38 2010.

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Thanks for sharing those photos. What's an Amtrak train doing at Marble Hill?

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Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF

Posted by Terrapin Station on Tue Jul 27 18:45:48 2010, in response to Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF, posted by Osmosis Jones on Tue Jul 27 18:34:46 2010.

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Thanks for sharing those photos. What's an Amtrak train doing at Marble Hill?

You're welcome.

Answer: Gallery » Latest Photos » October 19, 2008 - Amtrak reroute to Grand Central Terminal


Take Pride,
Terrapin Station


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Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF

Posted by Olog-hai on Tue Jul 27 19:21:39 2010, in response to Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF, posted by The Flxible Neofan on Tue Jul 27 15:22:10 2010.

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Ride quality and build quality. They had to bring some of the Mark 3s out of retirement (which they prematurely retired after a mere 23 years, i.e. the oldest ones) to figure out how to make the CAF-built Mark 4s to ride normally.

Don't know who authorized it, but the Mark 4 cab cars (the forward car in that photograph is an example; it's not a locomotive in spite of the appearance) were built with no revenue seats or even passenger windows. So all you have in there is a HEP motor and generator, plus a lot of space for the guard.

(The pic below is of the Mark 3 cars. Some were built in Britain; others were assembled at Inchicore Works in Dublin. Essentially the same cars as on the HST "Intercity 125" but regauged for 5' 3".)



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Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF

Posted by Olog-hai on Tue Jul 27 22:46:20 2010, in response to Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF, posted by Hank Eisenstein on Fri Jul 23 15:17:19 2010.

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Yup. Stands for Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarilles.

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(960967)

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Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF

Posted by Olog-hai on Tue Jul 27 22:51:43 2010, in response to Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF, posted by Olog-hai on Fri Jul 23 17:22:52 2010.

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CAF also built these beastly things for Irish Rail. 2900-class DMUs (numbers changed to 29000-class). Pokey little 75-mph-MAS things that they even substitute on intercity services.



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Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF

Posted by Joe V on Wed Jul 28 09:04:02 2010, in response to Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF, posted by Olog-hai on Tue Jul 27 22:51:43 2010.

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That's a hell of a gap. Amazes me that if they have clearances for such wide threshold plates, why don't the Brits just make the car body wider at floor level ?

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Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF

Posted by Terrapin Station on Wed Jul 28 09:34:14 2010, in response to Re: Amtrak Viewliner contract awarded to CAF, posted by Joe V on Wed Jul 28 09:04:02 2010.

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It appears to be on a banked curve...

Plus this train might operate through different systems where the resident equipment is of varying width and the platforms are of varying width. Thus this train would have to be only as wide the narrowest place it will pass through.

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