MBTA Electrification? Gateway Tunnel Funding, Amtrak Combining Trains | This Month on the Railroad

[@RHTeebs]

I may be alone, but that MTA employee appreciation unit looks really good.

[@rmorzy75]

It really does.

[@spaguettoltd.7933]

I completely agree

[@Robbie-b8f]

Yeah looks amazing

[@hartstukken]

it's a beautiful gesture

[@s.s.99]

It really does!

[@LJRailfan-Gamer_07.]

Hard to believe VIA Rail kept it’s heritage passenger cars for nearly 7 decades where the Amtrak ones only lasted until 2018

[@tiernanstrains]

Via bought quite a lot of Amtrak heritage when they were done with them. You can occasionally see ex-Southern Pacific cars with their characteristic smaller windows still in corridor service.

[@coleallen3895]

@@tiernanstrainsthose will be replaced by whatever new equipment is ordered by VIA

[@tiernanstrains]

@@coleallen3895 I'm aware. As the heritage corridor fleet is replaced by Siemens equipment it'll supplement other services until they can be fully replaced by the long distance fleet replacement program.

[@northeastrailfanproduction9199]

A few are still in use on Amtrak, I saw one the other day, unless that was a special car.

[@tiernanstrains]

@@northeastrailfanproduction9199 As far as I'm aware it's more likely that would be a special car yeah

[@TheRailcarbusguy]

I think VIA rail is watching Amtrak’s long distance replacement and whatever Amtrak orders first they’ll try to piggyback.

[@cryorig_transit05]

I'm happy that the Chargers are getting more orders!

[@TheRailcarbusguy]

@@cryorig_transit05 Me too they proved to be really successful clean diesel locomotives well besides the bugs but still.

[@xinlu2806]

Their European Cousins, the Vectrons, are also very popular. Siemens is doing pretty good right now!

[@dfw_railfanner]

you shouldnt, say goodbye to the good locos before the chargers..

[@cryorig_transit05]

@dfw_railfanner I'd much rather have new locomotives that don't spit out black smoke every time...

[@AutismTakesOn]

With the MBTA battery units, I think they're fine in this case. Yes, true electrification is superior, but on shorter distances like the Fairmount Line, which is even shorter than a good chunk of heritage railroads, the benefits of overhead lines vs. batteries is much less obvious. For mainline trains along Class Is, IIs, and longer Class IIIs, then yeah, I'd be like, "What are you doing?", but on a run less than 10 miles? Yeah, the MBTA should be able to make it work just fine. Admittedly, though, I don't think it'd be a good idea for any other MBTA routes besides the Needham Line, which is also very short.

[@theelectricwalrus]

The price of the battery locomotives is also competitive. Even if the MBTA does eventually electrify the Franklin/Fairmount line, battery locomotives could be used within the MBTA system for quite some time. I'm still mad though, and it's frustrating to see transit matters have to pretend to be grateful that we're getting battery trains instead of real electric trains

[@Lucius_Chiaraviglio]

It's so stupid that they are spending all this money on batteries, when they could instead be spending it on true electrification. And the Fairmount Line should really be converted into a regular rapid transit line, and it would even be an easy conversion except for the last little bit into South Station (would need a new South Station tunnel, which should also have provision for a future extension north into Chelsea, although such an extension would be a lot more expensive since it would have to be subaqueous and then subterranean, although maybe they could run elevated over the current Silver Line Chelsea branch..

[@AutismTakesOn]

@@Lucius_Chiaraviglio The rule of thumb for battery-electrics, the sweet spot is a route that's 20 miles or less. The MBTA is unique in that it has TWO lines within this category: The Fairmount Line (of course), and Needham Line. So, for this case, battery-electrics are actually smart, as the benefits of full electrification would've been minimal, not to mention that the Fairmount Line also has the lowest ridership of all MBTA Commuter Rail lines, so investing in expensive electrification would've been highly questionable, considering the circumstances. I will concede, however, that battery-electrics are horrible and woefully inferior to true electrification in most situations. This just happens to be a rare case where battery-electrics can be better than overhead electrics.

[@Lucius_Chiaraviglio]

@@AutismTakesOn Considering what I have seen of some of the neighborhoods that the Fairmount Line goes through (impoverished but well-populated), if they would just offer decent service on the Fairmount Line (the current service frequencies are a bad joke) and make it functionally rapid transit(*), they would get a LOT of ridership, just like the old southern Orange Line had before it was moved out of its old neighborhood. (*)Easiest way to do this: Make it actual rapid transit, with third rail electrification and an expansion of the same vehicle fleet that the Red Line has -- the only hard part would be drilling the short segment of tunnel needed to cover the last little bit of distance into South Station. i am not familiar with the communities along the Needham Line, except for having been in Needham itself -- but that's more a candidate for a branch of the Riverside Line . . . which the T had on their web site as a proposal in the mid 2000s, which then quietly disappeared.

[@SleepTrain456]

I found this quite informative! Now, I know that quite a lot of things happened, including plenty of orders and deliveries: 🔵Via Rail procures long-distance trains 🔵Amtrak California tests the Venture cab cars 🔵NJ Transit is ordering more EMUs, just as SEPTA orders the M-5 rapid transit cars _and_ the MBTA plans to buy LRVs and battery trains 🔵and Exo and ACE get more Chargers ...all while the MBTA and Metro-North unveil cool heritage units! Thanks for the video!

[@nigelrichardson4327]

Correct me if I’m wrong but from what I’ve heard on the Silver Star-Capitol Limited combination rumor is that the two trains would share equipment, not a full route. Ideally it would relieve the capacity woes of the CL, ease some maintenance costs at Ivy City, and give both trains better connecting times. Something else Amtrak equipment related that I noticed went under the radar was on Monday the 29th, Amtrak announced it would be adding a run through sleeper and coach to the Texas Eagle on the days it connects with the Sunset Limited starting September 3rd. This would be adding back some capacity the TE lost from the 2020 cuts. The article was posted by Trains Magazine. Anyways great video as always!

[@MrStark-up6fi]

Man, I hope the MBTA gets Chargers. And yes I agree, it truly does suck how little the MBTA receives

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

I'd fine the Capitol Limited and Silver Star combination very interesting

[@IvesGuy1118]

So the Silver Star and Meteor parallel each other from DC south besides Tampa. Does that mean the Meteor will add a Tampa stop?

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

​@@IvesGuy1118I'd be very surprised if it doesn't. Either that or the ultra train would retain its Tampa stop

[@IvesGuy1118]

@@adventuresofamtrakcascades301 So a Meteor passenger traveling from NYC south to Tampa or reverse would have to switch trains between there and DC. It might just be easier for Amtrak to add a Meteor Tampa stop. I'll just wait and see what happens instead of racking my brain lol.

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

​@@IvesGuy1118 lol

[@harrisonofcolorado8886]

I believe that a VIA Rail Long distance car order will likely come on the heels of an Amtrak long distance car order

[@winstonpx]

Really appreciate these quick railfan news rundowns :)

[@marcleslac2413]

Im hyped for the exo chargers!!!

[@givensudeh]

furry lol

[@geraldalves9107]

Boston to Providence MBTA electrification is also a no brainer and it's literally the easiest one to implement as they can share the catenary wires as the NE corridor

[@danlilly1790]

❤ MTA Employee Appreciation loco design.

[@terranempire2]

As a fellow Bay stater. 5:38 @worldwiderailfan I have to say although BEV trains are not optimal. getting them on the routes is better then not getting any new electric. Especially if you have ever felt the wonderful lung burning fumes of Back bay station.

[@counterfit5]

Or going deaf when a GP or F40 rolls through

[@conorontherails]

Love this series! Been watching it since the beginning and it helps me catch up! Love it, keep it up!

[@MrMarshmallow26]

Great to see all this happening. North Carolina also started working on a S-Line segment between Raleigh and Wake Forest for the eventual Raleigh to Richmond service.

[@pierreinthavong181]

Nice train video Sam!😊

[@sirremusrobinson1070]

Those Siemens cab cars are a step in the right direction.

[@anthonywarrener1881]

Thank you for this interesting video. I do hope the MBTA order new battery electric rail sets, for as you show, the Fairmount line would be ideal with the North East corridor electrification at each end.

[@nathanjiang100]

I just spoke with a current Amtrak employee today and the Capitol Limited Silver Star combination is 100% confirmed. Renaming the train to Floridian is being floated around. I asked about the schedules and he didn’t know if they were changing them or not but he did say that run-through fares are not being considered at the moment so any trip going through DC will be the current fare into DC plus the fare on the other train going out. It will indeed be Amfleets and he said they have enough equipment to cobble two additional sets together. He also said that they don’t know yet whether or not the train will be temporary or permanent.

[@giogullotto]

the mia-chicago train would be really interesting, and as someone who lives in raleigh and would gain a link to chicago through that, i'm supportive of this plan given that the train can maintain a decent on-time performance level

[@ant8504]

The via long distance fleet order is massive I suspect this means they're considering re-introducing some of the defunct long distance lines on top of increasing service on existing lines

[@gamerfan8445]

6:02 20 buckets that one will suffer a "total lost"

[@Pensyfan19]

What an eventful month this was! I believe MN 214 is the last of the heritage units, and it's nice to see that MBTA is finally joining the list of railroads with heritage units, although some fallen flag liveries would be nice as well. Although, I'm surprised to learn that they'll simply be leasing the trainsets after this massive purchasing program, especially since they're leasing something that technically hasn't been built yet.

[@JBS319]

Metro North has two SC42DMs already built with the streamlined nose design in testing at Pueblo

[@GR-Kevin]

You forgot that the NC-VA rail line just started construction!

[@gb9727]

The Exo chargers may be called SCX-42

[@OceanStateRail]

Would love to see an ALC42 like MBTA Charger.

[@flip5127]

If they decide to actually electrify the Fairmount line in the future, could they use the battery trains or would they have to order new electric locomotives?

[@theelectricwalrus]

If the plan is to charge off catenary in South Station, then the battery locomotives would be compatible

[@transitcaptain]

I love the heritage units. Keep them coming! When will gain knowledge to be smarter about money and be more cost effective with things?

[@Katrielle_Going_To_Quebec]

Ooooo so awsome to finally see the very first glimps of EXO's new locomotives!!! I'm honestly curious how the livery design would have looked on the chargers if they continued to use the two tone blue and white scheme from the previous agency Agence Métropolitaine Transport.

[@RaisedLetter]

2040? The original North River Tunnels were constructed in 4 years and opened 2 years after that. How can it take 5 times longer for these new tunnels?

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

If we talk about MBTAs new diesel rendering, I have to speculate that this may be a Siemens dual mode locomotive, just like the SC42DM for MTA, but that’s just a guess

[@Josephcavagnaro]

3:56 hopefully I see her in the next installment of the great new york isekai

[@simonsv9449]

8:01 I noticed there’s some LRV chilling in the background. Could that be for the Purple Line in Maryland?

[@Band__geek]

Hopefully we see the 2816 return for a steam tour again. Although… MAYBEE not Mexico.

[@IaHarbour]

where could i find more info about the type 10 mockups? I tried looking for it online but came up with nothing

[@divox9pqr]

Hard to believe how Amtrak would combine the Capital Ltd and the Silver Star. Perhaps the Silver Star would originate/terminate in Chicago instead of NYC. The new train being called the Capital Star to Miami.

[@daveshockwave8098]

I actually sorta like the idea of it

[@IvesGuy1118]

I was wondering about that. The Silver Meteor covers all of the same stops besides Tampa. Would that mean someone traveling from NYC to Tampa have to switch trains at some point? Or will the Meteor add a stop in Tampa?

[@transitcaptain]

Can the new MBTA battery trains also just run on partially and fully electric lines? That’s partially the dream. Full dream is full electrification

[@SovietClarinet]

Yes! They will be capable of in motion charging. It is likely that they will also partially electrify the fairmount line as part of this project, though the design is not finalized. This is going to bring 20 minute service all day every day to the fairmount line as well!

[@johncrest-r6n]

hehe caltrain wins this one

[@AMTK2001]

Oh yeah and (8/4/24) The MBTA is running a GP40 with returned CTrail Cars and a single level cab on the South Coast Rail Expansion as a test train (and some NICE restricted K3LA's)

[@kevinp.h157]

6:17 what if the MBTA isn’t actually underfunded but rather overfunded but they don’t use that funding something beneficial or useful?

[@gb9727]

MBTA could use the electric trains on the providence line

[@adensrailfanningproductions]

Im noticing a lack of a specific topic that got alot of traction this month

[@cdfiuhfvhjbdfuh8uhidsfxd-fh4jj]

they better keep 1129s livery after railfan day

[@WorldwideRailfan]

It’s a paint job! Should stay on it indefinitely

[@tomoconnell2320]

Wow. 12 bil and done by 2040. You can invade counties for less than that cost. How many unions are getting greased here?

[@johnarnehansen9574]

If that's the future, maybe they could have utlized Nuclear, Thermal- and renewable power plants for electrification of their railroad lines!

[@MichaelMitchRailfan2009]

Amtrak, please keep the Capitol Limited to Chicago, IL 🙏

[@IvesGuy1118]

Love seeing the Venture cab cars. And I’ll be watching to see what Via selects for their long haul rolling stock. It could be what Amtrak gets to replace the Superliners.

[@VieleGuteFahrer]

They will probably select whatever Amtrak selects.

[@shefflontidwell8216]

So it going to take 16 years to dig a tunnel from New Jersey to New York! 😂😂So sad plus wait for the cost overruns!

[@COandOH6675]

Let’s hope ACE doesn’t sell their new chargers after a month like coaster did

[@andrewschmid5917]

Anyone have any news of when metro north will replace their bombardier shoreliner cars? Things are 40 years old and are showing their age

[@lowellvillerailfanproductions]

Not alot happened this month

[@Espo97734]

I wish so much that NJ transit would stop ordering these hot garbage giant metal boxes from Alstom. My god even the MBTA is going to have shiny new Stadler trains before them…

[@OerlikonNoerd]

Put the goddamn wires up

[@Chinemeremdozie]

The 3rd picture of the septa trains kinda made me mad

[@Mauscmkwk]

Save the budds

[@pianocompetitionssc9210]

i got a rafaning chanile too can you give me some tips

[@exerosis5758]

Nooooooo not the aarow 3s :( depression

[@theelectricwalrus]

I don't actually think the Capitol Limited / Silver Star is a good idea. It's a very circuitous route.

[@EvilFryingPan]

didnt exo just buy a bunch of new trains from china? did they already break or something so exo needs to buy more new trains? on the more optimistic side maybe exo plans on increasing frequency

[@CrustyRotor76]

Only the coaches were from China, not the locomotives

[@SR3001]

You forgot the idiot that derailed a train in Nebraska. Good video untheless.

[@brosonly3389]

batteries are so bad for the environment lol

[@REDACTED4503]

It’s electric though? Ineffective, but still environmentally friendly compared to the current diesels.

[@brosonly3389]

@@REDACTED4503 lithium mining is extremely bad for the environment

[@ThePlecoPal]

Seriously, if something converts to batteries, all their doing is making their trains less useful.

[@brosonly3389]

@@ThePlecoPal plus are those batteries going to even hold up in cold winters?

[@REDACTED4503]

@@brosonly3389 For the record, I said compared to the current diesels. Traditional electrification is preferable, but battery is a step in the right direction.

[@ElmerCat]

The MBTA hates catenary and is incapable of properly maintaining the systems it has, for example, on the Blue Line where "wire problems" cause delays and bustitution on an almost daily basis. This short Fairmont line has overhead catenary at either end which serve Amtrak locomotives. Instead of installing existing and proven overhead electrification on this line, the Ⓣ is choosing once again to order expensive, unproven technology. There's nothing that can possibly go wrong.

[@Daniel-hj8el]

Ok now I’m just not liking MBTA no more on commuter train unlesss they change plans for overhead electrification 5:36 😡