Amtrak dependability

Trains Magazine Passenger
21

One of the disadvantages of a DC power compressor was dealing with the shaft seal on the compressor. AC compressor motors could be sealed inside the compressor housing. Funny thing is the trend for compressors is to use an inverter to supply power to the compressor motor that allows variable speed and gets rid of the starting capacitor for single phase installations.

For a commuter line, there could be an advantage to have “generators” attached to each axle to provide regenerative braking where the braking energy could be stored for use by the HVAC and car lighting.

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22

The Amtrak long distance network is a skeleton, with no intermediate terminals, no spare equipment, no staffing, and no local or secondary trains as feeders.

The days when a spare diner could be swapped in at Kansas City (or wherever) are long gone.

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23

It is the difference in being renter rather than owners.

Back in the day, with railroads operating passenger trains, they were the OWNERS. Amtrak, on the LD routes is just a renter of the right of way.

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