Brightline West Breaks Ground, Amtrak Borealis, CP 2816, Train on the Moon? | Railroad Quarterly

[@PhilliesNostalgia]

Let's get to the moon consistently first, before we think about building rail lines on the moon

[@Joesolo13]

Gotta establish the ROW before moon-burbs get built.

[@tiernanstrains]

The last Renaissance corridor set was continued until June 1st, for some reason. Its last run was behind two F40PH-2D locos. The set will be sitting in Montreal Maintenance Centre, where it will be used to help maintain the Ocean service to Halifax, which still uses Renaissance equipment.

[@GustavSvard]

Heritage units is something I would like to see more of on European railroads as well. Including old color schemes on newer rolling stock. But even just having one of each of the old color schemes on our X2000 trains here in Sweden would be so nice to see (including one looking like the one that ran on the Guangzhou - Hong Kong line back before China got started building new HSR lines).

[@TranscontinentalRailfan]

In early May, PRR 1361’s received a fresh coast of paint specifically, Dark Green Locomotive Enamel. This is another major step in the locomotive’s restoration.

[@sgtdebones]

1:02 LA Metro had 2 heritage units back in 2000. Cars 109 and 148 representing the Pacific Electric. RIP the Nippon Sharyo fleet

[@ShluffyMonster]

Those geeps are not vandalism, ain't no way. Too good of a job. Has to be an inside job.

[@AmtrakCaliRailfan]

I can’t wait to ride the new Caltrain EMU’s in September 2024! They have a very modern interior and i went to the Caltrain electric train tour in San Carlos.

[@sixfifty_sebb]

yeah, the current “modern” interior they currently have in revenue service is the Bombardier Cars, which really need a interior overhaul and exterior like coaster.

[@jfmezei]

Interesting that Metro North is getting Chargers with built-in 3rd rail for last mile into GCT, but for Amtrak, it will need half a business class coach for the addition of proper electric support (pantograph and the high power electrics). (3rd rail on diesel trains has alwas had limited speeds).

[@00Zy99]

That's the big difference with the new Chargers. They are not just last mile. They will run as far as possible on 3rd rail, and will operate at track speed while doing so. In other words, they are full-fledged 3rd rail locomotives in addition to the standard diesel-electric capability. Here's just hoping that the MTA manages to smack the LIRR into not being contrarian like it was with the P32/DM30 debacle (though to be honest, I'm not sure they have a choice this time around). Fleet compatibility is a GOOD thing. Seriously, what was the justification for buying something different back then anyways? In addition, I do feel the need to point out that the ALP45DP is a thing, as well as the fact that GE proposed an AC dual-mode Genesis back in the late 1990s. It's true that the Genesis was very much a "last mile electric" proposed for SEPTA reinstate diesel service on its various abandoned lines. And I seem to recall that the ALP45DP is somewhat last mile the other way around (limited diesel ability). But by all accounts it should be technically feasible to build a dual-mode AC/diesel that can deliver adequate performance in both modes. The British Class 93 and Class 99 can do it. Admittedly, they only need to have one AC mode on a standard 25 kV 50 Hz set up, but they also have a much lighter axle load than the US.

[@HIDLad001]

Awesome to see those Colorado Railcar DMUs get preserved, I was kind of anxious that they had been scrapped.

[@FrogeYT]

"brightline west would be the first true high-speed rail in the us" acela in the corner:

[@timothystamm3200]

With an average speed of 70mph. See me when it gets close to 100 and the Boston to Washington full line service gets fully competitive with airlines on time to destination.

[@n.hermann7200]

@@timothystamm3200What's with people like you and hating on the NEC?

[@timothystamm3200]

@n.hermann7200 it's a good intercity corridor. It doesn't completely replace planes under 300 miles and has too much interference from the Metro North Railroad New Haven line so it can even get delayed if the MTA effs it up and can't reach its full potential anyways because it's not an exclusively Acela corridor or even just fully Amtrak dispatched. If it's interfered with by local traffic and can't beat the plane on one destination pair within 300 miles then it's not high speed rail worthy of the name. The Shinkansen originally only had rolling stock built to only 130mph, but even the oldest line was built for higher speeds, for high average speed, and as a completely insulated corridor so slower trains wouldn't delay it. The European approach is generally to combine new right of way, which isn't present here, with old downtown right of way. They're also much faster. I wouldn't consider the British system as counting either by the way outside of HS1 and the future HS2. All of the systems I mentioned that aren't the older British infrastructure are faster than flights on any distance shorter than 300 miles and sometimes a bit over that. Now sure, it's faster between any other part of the line, but it always was.

[@FrogeYT]

Keep in mind that the current acela trains are over 2 decades old and a new fleet of trains with a max speed of 160 mph will be put into service later this year. This officially cements the acela's status as an official high speed rail

[@FrogeYT]

Also brightline currently only has a max speed of 125 miles per hour, which is Amtrak airo's top speed

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

1:10 thats cursed. A train on the moon is absolutely insane that only astronauts can appreciate lol

[@transitimprover]

Waiting to see how much service work battery locos can successfully do before retirement

[@CelestialCaboose2472]

I'm escaping to the *one* place that hasn't been corrupted by car dependent society! *S P A C E*

[@Pensyfan19]

Glad to finally see a new episode in this series. I'm so happy that BLW made the right choice and purchased the Siemens AP 220s instead of the problematic Avelia Lemons from Alstom. I also hope that they meet their 2028 deadline, as it would be a massive rail for HSR construction in the U.S.

[@nolantherailfan5048]

But lunar railfanning would seem boring as there is no sound in space and you can't hear a sweet K5LA or something on the moon

[@counterfit5]

Broadcast it on FM

[@SleepTrain456]

I found this quite an informative video! I knew about Brightline West and the _Borealis,_ but I didn't know about many other of the other events! Now, I know the Metro-North Chargers now exist, the _Roger_ _Williams_ is back, Amtrak 917 survives (I've heard a rumor that it was preserved, so I'm glad that is true!), and Charlotte, NC is considering making a commuter railroad. Thanks for the video!

[@harlander-harpy]

CPKC isn't real, its the Kansas City Southern de Mexico of Canada. Also, on the 27th of April Seattle's Link Light Rail opened the 2 starter line between South Bellevue and Redmond Tech. Until the line is extended into Seattle in late 2025, Bellevue is the smallest city in the western hemisphere to have it's own light rail/metro line

[@jimmyseaver3647]

Man, if Lionel offered that AC&W AC6000, I'd be tempted to buy it as a display piece.

[@andrew_ray]

Hoo, that congestion charge news aged like fine milk.

[@EBsRailfanProductions]

The 2 CPKC units are not pair with each other now. CPKC 4805 (the other repainted unit) was spotted in Calgary 5 days ago on a train with CPKC 9375 not on it.

[@LJRailfan-Gamer_07.]

1:03 Not entirely. LA metro did that to Nippon Sharyo P865 LRV 100 when they repainted it to its original as built paint scheme when the Blue Line opened in July 1990.

[@AmtrakFunkandDiscoFan]

That unit had been retired from service, but is preserved. It has yet to be on static display.

[@joefrew1614]

8:48 No kidding, you said it man!

[@gb9727]

I hope the fairmount line upgrade is a sign of things to come

[@HunterWilliams-le9bk]

I fortunately had the opportunity to see CSX 2625 a month before it was vandalized on the front.

[@treehugger1640]

Building in the moon is such an ego flex. I'm going to start bragging that I'm building my own railroad on the moon too.

[@jbreezy101]

1:53 had no idea that NJT was going to look like the South Shore Line! Cool

[@Txloganc]

hey man the rail idea on the moon Does make sense tbh the space industry knows a lot about what they are doing. It may not make sense to a regular railfan but if you dip your toes in the waters of the space industry it starts to make a little more sense

[@richardjayroe8922]

For short haul transit, battery makes sense and has been used before to relative success. NS is also only repainting their heritage units because of CSX and they will haul the OCS

[@BNSFrailfan01]

I’m not sure what the deal with EMDX 1605 is, as it is either still on a set out track in Avondale, CO or at the Transportation Technology Center. Also, the CPKC steam tour is called the Final Spike Tour, not the Golden Spike Tour.

[@BPRRFan19]

Babe wake up, railroad quarterly just got posted

[@TheTransitDiaries]

Wake up new railroad quarterly 🗣‼️

[@BPRRFan19]

You were first from my comment

[@ggreg2258]

Lots of info---fast!!

[@5-7Farms]

Here in utah they just repainted a Western Pacific Diesel and is now in Ogden, Ut at union station in the museum

[@jfmezei]

Rail on moon: you can prefab tracks on earth and install on moon more easily that building an ashphalt highway. (and not clear about tracktion of a car on very light gravity). However, the temperature differences between sun and dark will pose big challenges to laying tracks.

[@Train_Tok_Man]

“As of right now, #2816 is in Mexico for the first time ever.” Most definitely the last time ever after what happened today.

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

Absolutely. Taking a steam locomotive to Mexico was a BIG mistake and REALLY disappointing

[@Train_Tok_Man]

@@adventuresofamtrakcascades301 It wasn’t a mistake, it’s just people need to learn about safety.

[@SacGRailProds]

I’m in this video!!!!

[@295g295]

When? .. What 'time-stamp' ?

[@TheNataliesansh]

It’s the techbros again

[@markvogel5872]

Oh wow didn't know they got rid of the Renaissance cars....sad!

[@duploman0003]

They still have them on the Ocean!

[@markvogel5872]

@@duploman0003 oooh...that one is Montreal to Halifax?

[@duploman0003]

@@markvogel5872 Yes that’s the route

[@brucehain]

Re Amtrack's request: There are a number of companies who've offered what they claim are contactless linear induction propulsion and braking systems. This would take US railroading out of the Dark Ages, eliminating flat spots/square wheels resulting from less than perfect brake applications, which add a large portion of maintenance costs. It might be possible (but not advisable) to arrange the track-located infrastructure to make it passable by road vehicles at grade crossings, unlike third rail. One of the more credible of these companies is Shapary Enterprises, who paid for testing of rail vehicles at Pueblo which was successful. There were no takers among the freight carriers - not even interest - which is a reflection on the carriers, not the technology.

[@jfmezei]

Don't see the point of freight locos having battery-diesel since that battery will be charged by the diesel engine. Though if a line has tunnels and battery autonomy, running on battery in tunnel would solve a lot of ventilation problems.

[@squelchedotter]

It will be so useful to have the moon train so we can travel from the bustling metropolis of.... uhh.... to... uhh idk

[@riderstrano783]

Please also cover the local community push in Rhode Island to be reconnected with the national network, the petition is at almost 820 signatures, and is on track to reach 1000 signatures by the end of the summer

[@counterfit5]

Where can I sign?

[@Mauscmkwk]

3:54 boy that’s a bad idea

[@sargentrowell81]

Am I the only one who's annoyed at seeing all these great looking colorful renditions of old liveries from CSX for seemingly all the railroads but the L&N? Why the hell did they pick the L&N's most boring and bland livery and not the classic passenger livery? Seeing the Western Maryland, the Pere Marquette, and previously the B&O unit have really annoyed me for that reason. L&N just wasn't given the respect the other fallen flag railroads did.

[@Daniel-hj8el]

If MBTA buys Battery Electric Trains while IGNORING that their not 6th or 8th Busiest Commuter rail by ridership but also OWNS most of their tracks and simply just electrified overhead and increase frequency and ALSO one time they're were Intrest in Overhead Electrification during middle of Battery options, if they PICKED Battery MUs and that's it I MIGHT gonna hate MBTA commuter Forever...😡

[@InTheMood-fi3bh]

Literally the entirety of one of their lines is ON THE NE CORRIDOR literally all they need to do to electrify that line is to errect a couple of wires at some stations, and purchase electric locos

[@counterfit5]

​@@InTheMood-fi3bhseriously. It's what, a couple miles of single track at TF Green and Wickford? It's so easy and staring them in the face

[@InTheMood-fi3bh]

@@counterfit5 Literally, on a silver, 25 kV AC plater. But instead the mbta is going to use the little funding that they have and waste it on battery electric locos

[@KaiHenningsen]

Interestingly enough, here in Europe, single person freight trains are the norm. Doesn't seem to usually lead to the typical US problems, though. I wonder why?

[@bahnspotterEU]

Because our trains are shorter and therefore easier to handle, and our infrastructure is better developed.

[@295g295]

2:32 - If I drive into Manhattan in a personal passenger family car 🚗, with 2-3 people in it, will I pay 'ride-share' rate?

[@BostonByRails]

So tuff

[@anthonya-di8dr]

How did the south shore double tracking not make it in?

[@scotrailfan170]

Rip night star train service ventura cars

[@heatherjenkins1009]

We're getting moon rail service before GTA 6?

[@exerosis5758]

What is the deal with the Multilevel 3 cars? They are going back to EMUs (great), are they replacing the Arrow 3s (sad) or the ALP-46s (bad decision and sad?)

[@nickberry5520]

to be fair i'd rather see moon railways then moon highways

[@gloryannbatista6211]

Yeah plus getting tracks to the moon is impossible because of gravity

[@LucyLoud2002]

The front nose of the AP 220 is pretty ugly. I honestly don't think it's going to age well. Had Siemens redesigned the front nose, It probably would've looked better. Another thing I don't like is that it's going to be 7 cars and not the traditional 8 car trains in Europe.

[@JoeyLovesTrains]

2:44 welp…

[@TheRailwayDrone]

I feel like we're running too many "heritage" units in this country. At least we're finally building some passenger railways.

[@ravenm6443]

Seriously if Brightline succeeds, CA should terminate the contract they have and have Brightline take over. I’m sure the lawsuit for breaking a contract will be far cheaper than continuing this lunacy with whoever they are contracted with now. Plus they’d probably still save money because it would actually get done.

[@WyoMedic540]

“Zero emission” rail? No such thing. At best, it’s REMOTE emissions.

[@NeonNion]

Seriously, you might just as well have covered a "story" about a man who was kidnapped by ET.

[@juanmontull8550]

1:12 This is really funny, the U.S. building passenger trains on the moon while they have the worst passenger rail network in the “first” world.😂😂

[@bricenparris3981]

why can't most Freight railroads do diesel Electric. battery Electric is just dumb

[@jimmyseaver3647]

They really, _really_ don't want to shell out the money for catenaries, nevermind ones high enough to run double stack trains.

[@counterfit5]

​@@jimmyseaver3647won't someone think of the shareholders!

[@MarioFanGamer659]

To be a bit pendantic, diesel-electric means an electric locomotive powered by an on-bord diesel motor, you mean an electro-diesel locomotive.

[@bricenparris3981]

I was thinking that if busses can do it why couldn't a train

[@bricenparris3981]

What do you mean?

[@officialpennsyjoe]

So here is my question, why is NYC punishing tax payers when they should have punished GM for ripping up trolley and light rail lines around 80 years ago when they bought the light rail/trolley companies in Manhattan? Also, riding the subway is not really that safe or clean in NYC, and better for worse, NYC is not doing so hot as a district with numerous corruption problems and crime. As much as I would like to see better transportation and support for NYC, I do not think punnishing people with more taxes while already having high taxes and other political problems requiring wastes of tac payer money will lead to anything truely being done in the forseeable future.