Was just perusing old Amtrak timetables… (at http://www.amtraktrains.com/)
in 1976, fastest Keystone train 30th St to Harrisburg was 1:41. Silverliners with 90 mph max running on west end of the line. 8 intermediate stops
Now, fastest schedule is 1:37 with locomotive hauled trains, 110 mph max in lots of places. 5 intermediate stops.
Are locomotive hauled trains a poor strategic decisions for equipment on this route?
Don’t get me started…MU trains are faster with quicker acceleration and deceleration which may make up for speed differences. But that is talking more commuter-local trains. Today’s Harrisburg trains are intercity meaning the need for heavier trainsets than commuter MU’s, longer dwell times at stationsbecause probably and hopefully more passengers.
In the pre-Amtrak and early Amtrak periods, Silverliner MU cars, which were not really designed for this service, covered most of the runs. Also, eleven of the straight coaches that were part of the initial Metroliner fleet were ordered for a proposed Philly-Harrisburg high-speed service in addition to the existing schedules.
When you consider that the mileage involved is only 103 miles from end to end, a time savings of much more than four minutes is going to be difficult to obtain.
Henry and I slightly disagree. The faster acceleration and slowing is important. The best figures we have is an EMU will save about 2 minutes for each stop versus a motor hauled trains. 8 stops may what 1:25 enroute ? Loco hauled train may be 3 minutes lost per stop ? Each motor hauled train stop eliminated mean about 4 - 5 minutes saved. 110 MPH Non Stop HAR – PHL motor probably would save what ? Maybe 1:10 en route versus present best time of 1:35 ?
Just because Harrisburg is intercity does not mean the route could not be EMUs. However they definitely would need to be of a much more robust intercity unit. There are such units in Europe at this time that could be used as a model for the USA.
What would be needed is 150 MPH sets to run PHL - NYP segments even though PHL - HAR will be 110 MPH for the time being… That would probably eliminate the state of the art EMUs such as M-8s or Silverliner -Vs.
With the lack of sufficient funds the biggest reason for Amtrak not to buy such units at this time is the problem of having another type rolling stock in inventory. Also an item that would not be a large Quantity ( 5 – 8 car train sets = 40 units )( 10 car sets = 50 cars.
The possible future electrification of New Haven - Springfield, and very Maybe NYP – ALB, WASH – Richmond might
Has anything been done to upgrade the track on this route? The last time I rode from Harrisburg to Philadelphia it was very rough. I politely asked the conductor about the track condition and he just smirked and walked away.
John Timm
Many European trains have gone to or are shifting to EMU or DMU trainsets from loco-hauled loose cars… For example, DB is receiving many new train sets similar to the ICE3s to replace IC (lok-hauled) equipment.
This is service paid for by the State of Pennsylvania and not a 100% Amtrak route; nor is SEPTA involved… Equipment is equipment in use and available. Here in America. Yes, in Europe and elsewhere they have this and that but we don’t have it and we’re not going to because most of it does not meet our standards and thus will be rejected. There are so many things that we could do, that we could borrow from or build from other’s successes. But no private railroad wants to and US Congressman would think it wise to do so. Our country is still in the grips of the oil and concrete and auto lobby, too much so to allow their lobby slush fund to go broke by looking hard at and supporting real passenger services here.
Amtrak is going to purchase new EMUs to replace the Acelas. Perhaps some Acelas can be reconditioned to use in Keystone service?
Back in the middle 70s the route was about half 80 mph and half 90 mph. Big chunks were still PRR 155# stick rail. The ride was…uh…not great.
It stayed this way into the middle 80s, at least. In fact, Conrail ride quality tested a few of their rebuilt business cars on the route because it had such a mix of speeds and track conditions.
In the past few years, Pennsylvania plowed $100M+ into the route to gets speeds up to 110 mph over most of the route. It should be in fairly good shape.
After I posted, I realized it has been fifteen years since I rode the line. Thanks for the update.
John Timm