Can trainsets such as the Acela Express and other bullet trains be doubleheaded? If so how is that done?
Yes – the Acela and European HSR sets have couplers located on both ends of the train under the nose. Some trains in Europe routinely double-head (the TGV is one example) but the Acela does not, probably since there are no MU or trainline connections.
This is commonly done in Europe.
I have never seen this done with two Acela trainsets, but that does not mean they can’t.
Technically, the Acela is double headed, it has a locomotive at each end.
As was mentioned above, yes, two trainsets can be coupled end to end, although I’ve never seen it done. There ARE HEP and MU receptacles, so they can be run together, but I don’t see that happenning. The main reason for the standard AAR couplers is so a trainset could be rescued if need be, although that is probably highly unlikely, due to the fact that there are two power cars in case one craps out.
One interesting fact- you can occasionally see a seven car Acela trainset (nine cars if you count the power cars on each end). There is a track geometry car that, from the outside, looks exactly like just another plain car. It’s placed in a trainset every three weeks, although there are very few phots and videos of a seven car set.
Here is the geometry car, which from the outside is identical to any other Acela car.
The HEP on Acela’s can not be MUed it can only be fed by locomotive from outside of Acela set.
two Acela’s were set up for MU testing, but the wrong aar couplers prevent this from happening, and the experiment never happened. power restrictions would probably limit this to test only as two sets in same power block would pull to much juice.
Are we to assume this geometry car is placed next to one of the locos of the Acela set? If not where in train set? know its car number?
The car is 10003 and is always placed next to one of the power cars.
I wondered about the geometry car. Does it carry any passengers? How much of the car is equipment vs. revenue seating?
Search for “7-car acela” on Youtube for more like this:
No passengers
Not sure why you sent this in an email. The couplers on the nose is just in case the electricity goes down, the Acela set needs to be transported somewhere where it can’t run under its own power, or for a number of other reasons. Better safe than sorry!
The “Acela” train sets, 20 of them, are powered by a 6,000 HP electric locomotive on each end for a total of 12,000 HP. More than enough power to cruise at 90mph and reach 150mph on the mostly flat Northeast Corridor. Each train set is interconnected for far more than just an MU operation. In each cab, and the Conductor’s Station in the food service car, the pressure in each “Air Spring” and each “Wheel Bearing” temperature can be monitored. All car doors must be closed and locked before the locomotive can apply power. Combine that with an Acela every hour and the need to MU two trains becomes irrelevant. To answer the question, they could be modified for MU operation, but at great cost and no real gain.
The coulper, and a crash barrier, is right there in the nose. In the photo below, look close at the left Acela locomotive, down low on the nose is a cresent shaped opening, Behind it is the release (on both sides) to swing open and up the nose. It has been used often ! Too often the Northeast Corridor has had “power outages”, a transformer or circuit breaker fails, an Amtrak or Commuter Train snags the Catenary and pulls down the wires. Time to send out the diesel and tow the Acela back to the nearest station. The un-fenced Right Of Way results in hitting animals, and unfortunately, some times trespassing people. In both cases bad for the fiber glass and requiring an investergation.
Slightly O.T but does anyone know why Amtrak is temporarily suspending Acela service between Boston and New Haven? Are their catenary problems due to the recent severe weather?
Regional service is supposedly still operating so are they using diesels?
The worst flooding in Rhode Island history, and they have been hit with Hurricanes in the past. The line is under water in Warwick RI as is Interstate 95. From what you say, sounds like the diesels can get through, but either the power is off or the Acela is too low to the rail to operate in water. The river that is in flood (21 feet above normal) forms the city line between Cranston and Warwick and is crossed with a former New Haven steel truss bridge. Also it was reported that two major Electrical Sub Stations were under water in Westerly RI. That could also cause Amtrak grief as that is an area wher they buy commercial 60 HTz power.
No service because the tracks are flooded near Kingston, RI. It’s probably south of the Kingston station where the tracks pass through an inland swamp.
April 1, 2010
8:30 am EDT
Amtrak Acela Express service between New Haven and Boston, and Northeast Regional service between New York and Boston, will remain suspended through Thursday, April 1, due to ongoing flooding on the tracks near Kingston, Rhode Island. No alternate transportation is available.
Amtrak service between New York and Washington continues to operate normally, but passengers should also expect some residual delays in these locations as a result of the disruption in New England. Service was originally suspended yesterday when flooding caused by recent storms deemed the railroad impassable.
Crews will continue to monitor the condition of the railroad throughout the day and will re-evaluate any additional cancellations later today.
Amtrak regrets any inconvenience. This information is correct as of the above time and date. Information is subject to change as conditions warrant. Passengers are encouraged to call 800-USA-RAIL or visit Amtrak.com for schedule information and train status updates.
Well that’s it in the listing, Kingston RI. But why? That section was a complete rebuild including re-locating Kingston Station, now drainage problems. Well at least the Interstate through RI is also closed.
This also happens on TGV trains in France. An intermediate geomertry car is coupled in. The TGV uses conventional buffer and hook couplers for intrmediate cars. So the geometry car can be moved in normal passenger trains and even freight trains !
http://www.trainweb.org/tgvpages/images/misc/melusine.jpg here coupled with freight cars.
