Amtrak and Martina McBride

[GP30Fan]

All I can say is WOW!

What a paint job. This one cost at least a dollar ninety two!

http://martinamcbride.com/elevenacrossamerica

AL

Edit... This train was in Cleveland for an hour today. It was supposed to arrive at 5:30PM.
I live an hour west of Cleveland and didn't know a thing about it till after the fact.
Head up folks... it's heading west, I think. Some body get some good pics!

Edit 2... I changed my mind. Since the tour started on the west coast, I would guess
it's more likely the train is traveling east.

 

[JIb228]

Now the real question is, how long until it quietly shows up on the DLS?

Just kidding.

 

[PerRock]

I'm waiting to get some more decent pictures of it before I start. If you guys have or have found good pics head over to AMTZ & start a thread.

peter

 

[Euphod]

What, is she afraid of flying, but too good for a bus? Just curious.

 

[JIb228]

What, is she afraid of flying, but too good for a bus? Just curious.

Well, if I were a famous musician and could afford it, I would have my own train. Heck, my buddy and I are going to rebuild one of Michigan old rail lines once we hit the lotto.

 

[Deano5]

Just curious but why on earth would you need 3 locomotives to pull just 6 coaches?
Something I've always wondered about American rail systems, there is always lots of small loco's pulling the trainz. Why not build bigger engines then you won't need so many. :wave:
Wait for it now .

 

[PerRock]

Just curious but why on earth would you need 3 locomotives to pull just 6 coaches?
Something I've always wondered about American rail systems, there is always lots of small loco's pulling the trainz. Why not build bigger engines then you won't need so many. :wave:
Wait for it now .

It was supposed to be only two, but one died near ALB, and so there is a rescue engine on there as well.

peter

 

[Euphod]

Just curious but why on earth would you need 3 locomotives to pull just 6 coaches?

It's all Union Crap. Have you ever seen Union guys change streetlamps? Three guys to change one bulb... I'm surprised there aren't three engineers in every cab...

 

[JIb228]

Just curious but why on earth would you need 3 locomotives to pull just 6 coaches?
Something I've always wondered about American rail systems, there is always lots of small loco's pulling the trainz. Why not build bigger engines then you won't need so many. :wave:
Wait for it now .

Because we like to way over power our trains. GLC uses three GP35s to get out of Durand.

But the reason for the smaller locos is money. SD70Aces coast a butt load more then an old used GP some thing. SD70s put out 157,000 lbs tractive effort where as a GP35 only puts out 50,000 lbs of tractive effort. Since lots of people model short lines, that in the real world would have no need nor could afford a SD70, that's why you see lots of locomotives on fairly short trains.

And US passenger cars are over built, weighing more then a British car of the same class. The Superliner, which is what cars I think where used, is about 67 tons VS a British Mark 1 that as best as I can tell is only 40 tons.

 

[PerRock]

Because we like to way over power our trains. GLC uses three GP35s to get out of Durand.

But the reason for the smaller locos is money. SD70Aces coast a butt load more then an old used GP some thing. SD70s put out 157,000 lbs tractive effort where as a GP35 only puts out 50,000 lbs of tractive effort. Since lots of people model short lines, that in the real world would have no need nor could afford a SD70, that's why you see lots of locomotives on fairly short trains.

And US passenger cars are over built, weighing more then a British car of the same class. The Superliner, which is what cars I think where used, is about 67 tons VS a British Mark 1 that as best as I can tell is only 40 tons.

The Superliners also have two floors so naturally they will weigh more. However the point still really is there. Our Amfleet (single level coaches) weigh about 116,000lbs whereas an MK4 is about 43.5t (or 95 901.0841lbs, ty google)

but in generally we do also tend to over power our trains, I personally thing part of it is due to a crappy build quality put into our engines, and so one is usually needed as a backup.

In Iowa where I lived for a while it was not uncommon to see the Iowa Northern Railway use 4+ GP38-2s to haul an empty string of 3-6 coal cars from out local plant.

peter

 

[JCitron]

It may also have to do with grades and other reasons as well. One engine may have HEP units in it because the first loco may need some 'hep' :hehe:

Anyway...The Providence and Worcester usually runs with two locomotives pulling their freights. One loco is facing cab forward and the other is connected tail to it. When it's time to swap directions, the engineer and crew change engines and go. There's no turning around on a wye somewhere or running high-hood forward.

The P&W is s pretty nifty little shortline operation up here in New England, and maintains their property pretty well. If this was PAR, well this would be a different story. They'll cobble together 5 or 6 diesels, usually old GP38s and GP40s from various roads and leases, and at least one or two will be blowing smoke because of an engine problem, or there's a dead one somewhere in the consist!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs1m4rQHUsY
There's a Ganta Fe unit in there! This was the old Guilford in action. (Pan Am, or PAR)

Pretty cool action from 1990 in and around the Lawrence Yard at Andover Street. The track looks pretty good compared to what happened to it over the years since.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqrExWCVCXU
Typical Guilford, and why the railroad needs more than 1 engine in a consist! Notice the "high speed"! This is typical of PAR.


John

 

[backyard]

...I mizzundastood...

Will P!nk be there?

 

[davesnow]

I met Martina years ago when she was just starting to get hits. She was younger and really cute then. She's grown into a beautiful lady.