Based on a tip from a co-worker who comes into the office most mornings from over that way, here’s an only fair quality ‘grab shot’ of 2 of the above, taken earlier this afternoon at the west end of Norfolk Southern’s Allentown, PA yard, having just crossed the Lehigh Canal and about to cross the Lehigh River, evidently heading westward.
Unfortunately, I was not able to catch them at any of the grade crossings I tried, so I don’t know much more, and the picture quality is too poor to read any of the smaller lettering.
Anybody know anything more about these, such as who built them, and where they are headed ?
Thanks in advance !
Ahh - yes, I can see the ‘family’ resemblance - that makes sense. [tup]
Although, Plasser’s main US plant is down in Chesapeake, Virginia - so why are they on NS up here, and heading west ? Well, since that Virginia operation is mainly devoted to track maintenance, it would also make sense for these vehicles to have been manufactured at the main/ home plant in Austria instead, and then shipped here to the States - likely, to Port Newark, and off-loaded there.
That they’re on NS and heading west also narrows down the likely pool of purchasers/ users, as follows. They’re expressly for catenary, so that excludes 3rd rail operations. Likely any of the recent = within the last 30 years - ‘new builds’ of Light Rail Vehicle/ trolley lines bought similar vehicles as part of their initial ‘fit-out’ - so they’re not headed there. They didn’t go via CP to the north, so they’re not headed for Canada. They didn’t go via CSX to the south/ west, so they’re likely not headed for the southeastern US anyplace. So I’ll stick my neck out on the likely possibilities - in no particular order - and invite other nominations. Gentlemen, place your bets !
- New Orleans - replace /upgrade from the Hurricane Katrina damage;
It would make a lot of sense for the IC (Metra Electric) and South Shore to share such equipment.
Yes - though it appears that the CSS&SB already contracted for one in 2002 for a mere $1,697,000, which should have been delivered in mid-2003. See -
NITCD issues bonds to pay for South Shore electric upgrade -
By PAULENE POPARAD in the Chesterton Tribune - Posted 6/3/2002, at -
http://chestertontribune.com/Northwest%20Indiana/nitcd_issues_bonds_to_pay_for_so.htm
“To that end, the $1,697,000 bid of Plasser American Corp. also was accepted for a catenary maintenance rail car that will be used to replace the overhead catenary cables. The new maintenance car, which replaces a 75 year-old model, won’t be delivered for about 13 months.”
They might be these 2 for MTA, from
Recent Awards
at - http://www.mta.info/capconstr/procurement/cc_recentawards.htm :
Contract No.: VH067
Title: Furnish and Deliver Two Catenary Maintenance Vehicles for the East Side Access Project
Firm: Plasser American Corporation
Phone No: (757) 543-3526
Award Date: May 8, 2008
Award Amount: $2,346,400
Delivery around now would be about right, but - why would they be headed west, away from New York City ?!?
Those units appear to be identical to the ones I see at Amtrak’s Providence, RI M.O.W yard which are used on the NEC…
Can anyone read what’s on the side of the plasser vehicle on the bridge to the left of the L1U3 diagonal member at the end of the bridge superstructure.?
‘Catenary Maintenance’ The thrid word is covered by the bridge superstructure.
The 3rd word is ‘‘VEHICLE’’. As to the rest of the lettering - heck, I’ve got the original photo at 944 KB in size, and even zooming in I can’t make out the letters any better. Underneath it seems to be something like OCCIDENTAL or CONOWINGO, but that’s quite a stretch. I might try the ‘Sharpen Image’ feature on the software at home, but I’m doubtful - the lighting was poor and it was starting to move pretty quick.
They are going from the Chesapeake VA to Amtrak in Morrisville. The route take them from thru Enola to Allentown to Abrams to Morrisville. Traffic to/from the Phila area funnels though Allentown to get to/from the south and west.
Thanks, Don ! ''I scratch your back, you scratch mine . . . ‘’. [;)]