Railroad Thread

[3WE]

I had a thought about the new Amtrak locomotives: Here they are running faster and faster, grade collisions are still somewhat regular, so why is it that there’s this minimal nose and huge glass window?

I think I’d quit if I worked for Amtrak as sooner or later an engine crew is going to become an XL Pizza on the side of a semi truck.

As a contrast, look at the old high hood GP-9. AWFUL visibility, and generally lower speeds, but the engineers (the math kind) wanted to protect the engineers (the train driver kind). Some GP-9s even had “backwards” seats and controls so the longer engine hood could provide protection.

I hate to sound like Evanie, but what ARE management and railodesignerengineers thinking WRT these new naked- front Amtrak locomotives?

Thoughts?

Trainphotos:

[J]

Actually, the new designs are a lot more robust than the older ones with collision posts welded to the frame, nose steel of a specified strength, far stronger fuel tanks, etc.

The following provides a short summary of research:

https://railroads.dot.gov/program-areas ... ant-safety

Here is a modified freight locomotive being used for a crash test.
https://youtu.be/jbxPjv7zPEU

[Mr. Snappy]

Is superior Russian locomotive

Is most modern transport system in world

American imperialist will make copy train

[3WE]

J:

I appreciate the reply. I did not scour it, HOWEVER, I saw no examples of the Amtrak “fish bowl”. I agree modern freight locos have very adequate noses...BUT the Amtrak one sure looks more vulnerable.

Mr Snappy:

I challenge Soviet loco to whatever you want versus ugly-ass GP-9 build when Amerika was great. Not only we have GP-9, we have DC-8 and 707.

[elaw]

Mr Snappy:

I challenge Soviet loco to whatever you want versus ugly-ass GP-9 build when Amerika was great. Not only we have GP-9, we have DC-8 and 707.

And this! https://www.up.com/heritage/steam/4014/

[J]

Sorry Snappy - no comparison.

[J]

Here are some more stories about newer passenger locomotives handling serious accidents. All three locomotives are manufactured by Siemens in Sacramento, CA.

Washington State - locomotive overspeed derailment on a bridge (80 mph) and fell down onto an interstate highway. Image of destroyed locomotive followed by video.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/th ... ed-n831601

Pennsylvania - electric locomotive was traveling at 106 mph, engineer applied brakes seconds before striking a backhoe.
https://www.bing.com/search?q=amtrak+ba ... B1&PC=U531

Nevada - don't have the speed of the train but one of the new Siemens locomotives struck a cement truck.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtOvUx0VD30

[3WE]

[Eric and J Steamphotos]

We love you Kommrade Snappy and welcome you in America. We can show you said museum pieces, in action, no less!

But Soviet Steam is: https://youtu.be/GsVcUzP_O_8

[3WE]

[J Fishbowl interim report]

Major Evan outsider pontification:

If one was to T-Bone a Gasoline Tanker I really would prefer the current GE or GP/SD low hood. I saw the busted window in your cement truck example...the same might happen on a freight loco, but I’d sure like the extra few feet of big nose.

The GP-9 reference was not intended to suggest a return to high nose and cab-rear operation, but factually, that was collision protection and the GP-9 is such a classic thing of beauty and ugliness.

[3WE]

One more thing: Enjoyable discussion. Thanks.

[elaw]

In other news, China appears to have invented a train that's actually a bus: https://twitter.com/ErikSolheim/status/ ... 3401332737

[J]

The Onion carried a story about a US-based high-speed bus system back in 2012:

https://youtu.be/ckGoNv2lOB4

[elaw]

The Onion carried a story about a US-based high-speed bus system back in 2012:

https://youtu.be/ckGoNv2lOB4

[3WE]

I would also recommend the movie “The Big Bus”.

I’ll say that Airplane! is not_the first spoof of near-total air disaster movies.

I was also in love with Stockard Channing as a young teenager.

[ocelot]

Seems a shinkansen driver decided to visit the lav and left an unauthorized person at the controls: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-57196765

No word on the size of the lav, though.

[3WE]

UP 1979

F847053B-2F61-47E9-A826-5B0A6F1F49A5.png (1.39 MiB) Viewed 6242 times

[Not_Karl]

UP 1979

NICE livery!!

Maybe 3WEie would have preferred an Airbusy Eurowhite?

[J]

For a better Union Pacific livery, the largest operating steam locomotive in the world is currently touring flyover country in the Midwest.

Note to 3WE, the 4014 will be in St Louis on August 29 and displayed from 0900 - 1500 at the St. Louis Gateway Transportation Center, 430 S. 15th St. There will be a crowd so it might be more interesting to catch it en route. Here is the website to track its movements. it will be coming in from the South, crossing the McArthur Bridge and, after the visit, departing for the west via Jefferson City.
https://www.up.com/forms/steam-trace.cfm

Here is a video of the locomotive from several days ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvIa0MM_Tqo

[3WE]

4014

Indeed.

3BS has printed the schedule and route and plans to position himself in agricultural areas.

Perhaps I can supply a video, but not_to steamphotos.net.

Amazing machine, but needs to be louder, like a 727.

[J]

Keep an eye on the train tracker - these types of movements are often late.

[monchavo]

For a better Union Pacific livery, the largest operating steam locomotive in the world is currently touring flyover country in the Midwest.

Note to 3WE, the 4014 will be in St Louis on August 29 and displayed from 0900 - 1500 at the St. Louis Gateway Transportation Center, 430 S. 15th St. There will be a crowd so it might be more interesting to catch it en route. Here is the website to track its movements. it will be coming in from the South, crossing the McArthur Bridge and, after the visit, departing for the west via Jefferson City.
https://www.up.com/forms/steam-trace.cfm

Here is a video of the locomotive from several days ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvIa0MM_Tqo

That is a most impressive beast. Thanks.

[3WE]

Keep an eye on the train tracker - train movements of all types are often late.

1. Fixed.

2. It’s a relatively complex machine, something could malfunction and disable it, resulting in delays.

Probably needs more computer monitors on critical points and systems…

PS: The livery is awesome and this thing could out-pull TWO Mr. Sneamy locomotives…Mr Steappy…errr

[3WE]

Actually, the new designs are a lot more robust than the older ones with collision posts welded to the frame, nose steel of a specified strength, far stronger fuel tanks, etc.

The following provides a short summary of research:

https://railroads.dot.gov/program-areas ... ant-safety

Here is a modified freight locomotive being used for a crash test.
https://youtu.be/jbxPjv7zPEU

A Rock-Island FB group showed this photo from a 1970 crash near Union MO. The siding was not switched back to the main line, and a train rear ended a caboose & train at a speed estimate of 15 to 20 MPH….GP-40.

ANYWAY- the cab was pretty much gone (no real structural protection). The engineer jumped, I ass-ume the caboose crew ran, but the conductor did dieded .

Sooo, the Amtrak fish bowl might be ok…still, at 100
MPH, I’d prefer a few more feet of reinforced hood.



Photocredit Not_3BS

F1EF7104-D446-41BA-BBA3-3351353E4B5D.jpeg (85.91 KiB) Viewed 6179 times

[J]

4014 Heads for Home
The locomotive has finished its tour of the eastern part of the Union Pacific System. Here is a video shot from a vehicle following it on an adjacent highway as it heads back to its home base in Cheyenne, Wy. a few days ago.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqDmfMra5_Y

[Verbal]

Discuss.