Here is the direct link to the official "New Mexico Railrunner webpage for this brand new commuter rail service:
http://www.mrcog-nm.gov/Rail_Runner.htm
Were are the F59PHIs coming from?
They’re not F59PHIs. They’re MP36PH-3Cs from Motive Power Industries in Boise, Idaho, very similar to the Caltrain Baby Bullet locos.
There are now seven Rail Runner coaches parked on temp storage tracks in Albuquerque, two more than last week. Three more to come.
But no sign yet of the five MP36 locos from Idaho.
And, I’ve heard that the station-building contractor has balked at starting any construction, apparently due to change-order prohibitions imposed by owner Mid-Region Council of Governments. A possible reason: recent excavations for an adjacent downtown intermodal Greyhound bus terminal project, still underway, uncovered contaminated earth, surprise foundations and forgotten utility lines. Weeks of unanticipated extra digging and tons of soil replacement resulted. Artifact discovery also slowed progress. The new Greyhound depot is located on the site of the old Albuquerque ATSF station which burned down almost ten years ago.
Many grade crossings need added protection. Signals still must be put up and wired between Isleta Junction and Belen Junction, some 17 miles of “dark territory”. Passing sidings are needed along the 'Runner’s mostly single-track route.
I’ll be one of the first to ride the ‘Runner’. But I fear the first train won’t go “beep-beep” until well into next year.
Jim – not F59PHIs, MP36-PH3Ss from Motive Power Industries! Metra’s got 'em, like this one: www.fuzzyworld3.com/n040612.html
Just to add to the confusion:
Metra (Chicago) has 27 MP36PH-3S (401-427)
Caltrain (San Francisco) has 6 MP36PH-3C (923-928)
The model difference is related to the HEP set-up, one has the HEP generator geared to the prime mover, the other has a separate diesel-generator set for HEP.
And, I’ve heard that the station-building contractor has balked at starting any construction, apparently due to change-order prohibitions imposed by owner Mid-Region Council of Governments. A possible reason: recent excavations for an adjacent downtown intermodal Greyhound bus terminal project, still underway, uncovered contaminated earth, surprise foundations and forgotten utility lines. Weeks of unanticipated extra digging and tons of soil replacement resulted. Artifact discovery also slowed progress. The new Greyhound depot is located on the site of the old Albuquerque ATSF station which burned down almost ten years ago.
I CAN UNDERSTAND A CONTRACTOR WANTING PERMISSION TO ADD COST RELATED TO CHANGE ORDERS BASED ON THE ABVOE…THIS ALL WAS NOT THE CONTRACTORS FAULT UNLESS HE/SHE WAS RESONSIBLE FOR DETERMINING ALL POSSIBLE PROBLEMS IN ADVANCE.