And a few of these state-supported passenger trains do cover more than their out-of-pocket costs from fares!
Just to add a little thing that nobody talked untill now.
Remember that the original Acelas had to get their tilting capabilites limited (I believe that the engineer can swich on or off the tilting system from the cab) to 4 degrees because the fixed plant guys didn’t talk all they should have talk with the train project guys ? It was kinda big news in Trains back then ? Let us hope that this time everyone talk with each ither and the aelias can make full use of their tilting system, wich I believe can ‘turn’ (erm the exact term is basculate) the body shells u to a maximum of 8 degrees in service. It wuill make a big difference in terms of track speed going thru curves (a let us hope thta higher speeds might be allowed on NYP - New Haven, where all amtrak trains seem to move in ‘turtle’ modde)
The reason nobody talked about this until now is because this myth has been thoroughly debunked. It is just not true. The New York Times article was dead wrong. The only place the tilt is cut out, and even the rationale for doing so is debatable, is on a short segment owned by Metro-North that is north of New York.
Am I missing something? If there IS a “place the tilt is cut out … on a short segment …”, then how is this a “myth … thoroughly debunked”?
Either the tilt is a problem somewhere on the route, or it isn’t. If it is, then it is not a “debunked” “myth”.
The debunked myth often quoted is that “Acela was built too wide, and design engineers had to restrict the tilt system below the optimal level because of this.” That’s what I’m referring to.
The one 20 mile Metro-North segment can, allegedly, sideswipe trains on the other track if the tilt were used. The evidence for such a thing actually being able to happen does not exist but the policy of cutting out the tilt exists on Metro-North as a kind of policy based on folklore.
I am certain you have reviewed Metro-North’s clearance measurements and diagrams for the territory before you made this statement…
I am uncertain as to whether you did so.
I have NO KNOWLEDGE of Metro-North’s clearance situation and AM NOT making any claims that require such knowledge. Just asking the question of one that claims to.
Whatever. It’s been thoroughly debunked. Allegedly, Metro-North orders tilt be disabled on their part of the NEC through its own institutional knowledge. Whether this knowledge is based on folklore or real science only Metro-North can answer.
Or someone who has detailed track plans.
I do not know about clearance diagrams, but I am certain from personal observation that track-center distances are less on Metro North New Haven Division than elsewhere on the NEC. You can check this out for yourselves simply by looking carefully. It is not a subtle difference. Go visit the Harrision PATH station and then go to Mount Vernon East.’