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Work progressing on California “Comet” cars for San Joaquin service
One of the larger ironies of all this: These cars were originally made as electric multiple units by St. Louis Car for NJ DOT for operation by Penn Central. They were rebuilt into locomotive hauled coaches in the 1980s.
It certainly sounds like an equipment downgrade in some respects: single level with narrower doors and the need for wheelchair lifts at stations. However, there then seems to be monies spent for better ADA facilities once on the train. Is this another of Governor Moonbeam’s revolutionary ways to save money?
Nice to see additional capacity and maybe increased frequency but in almost 45 year old equipment (yes “updated” but still!! Why oh why must the USA be stuck in 1919 era technology (except for use of push pull) when the rest of the world including many 3rd world systems have modern technology and NEW equipment. All part of the tank and not invented here mentality existent in this country!!
Will Bombardier bilevel cars be the next commuter car to be refurbished for corridor service?
I temd to agree with Mr. bates from Texas. What would it take to make these cars accessable? Could the doors be make wider without compromising the integrity of the car? A wheelchair lift would certainly increase the dwell time at a station. In short wouldn’t these Comet cars be more trouble than they are worth?
What will the new capacity be for each trainset?
Based on the final paragraph, it would seem that these refurbished trainsets are a stopgap measure while new coaches are built.
With Amtrak in place with refurbrished cars being put into service and the popular ridership increasing, why waste more money for the high speed rail which is nothing more than a welfare work program employing felons etc. to forge union strength. The high speed rail will not turn any profit for 12-14 years. Just ask the French who are more experienced than us in these endeavors,
So, there is a West Coast version of Jeffery Guse. His name is Keith Flaming. And just like Jeffery, he has “Flaming” ideas. Sorry. Anyhow, I don’t think that Amtrak would hire ex-cons. As for high speed trains in this country, we fell in love with cars. While other countries went for trains. President Eisenhower, went with the interstate highways because he saw that our streets couldn’t handle cars and trucks and military vehicles. Being a military man, he couldn’t let that happen, so he went with the interstate highway system.
I actually have asked the French. According to their head of SNCF who I heard give a talk last year in Chicago, their TGVs make so much money that they subsidize the operation of the rest of their regular speed intercity trains, which like in America do not cover their costs.
I lived on the West Coast all my life. I’m not familiar with these “new” cars. How about a photo? Thanks for the good work.