It's Friday!!!!

[McRib]

I heard it's dead. At least, god I hope it is. They had a bad idea at best, and got people on board with it, even the UP. But I don't think the BNSF ever really came their way too much, and I'm pretty sure the idea has been scrapped. Now watch, next week they will announce they are starting service in January.

Amtrak discontinued the desert wind in 97. It served vegas till amtrak went on a cost cutting rampage. The track is still there but inundated with freight trains that have priority. Id imagine the amtrak ride being long due to them having zero priority on both UP and BNSF's lines

[Tishimself]

Amtrak discontinued the desert wind in 97. It served vegas till amtrak went on a cost cutting rampage. The track is still there but inundated with freight trains that have priority. Id imagine the amtrak ride being long due to them having zero priority on both UP and BNSF's lines

As far as the venture you are referring to, the UP agreed to it, but wanted a huge amount of money for the upgrades needed to the track to handle 80+ mph trains. I thought it had gotten that, but the BNSF was a different story. Originally, the idea was YOU(the passenger) drive to Victorville, pick up the train, and go to Vegas. Problem was, who wants to drive halfway to VV and get on a train? turns out, not a lot. So they decided to try and extend it to Fullerton, interesting idea, but now you have to get BNSF and UP to give up a slot on Cajon pass. That slot is worth millions, literally. BNSF wanted a bucketload of money, and the UP wanted that and the first born son of everyone on the board of directors. I had heard that's where it fell apart, and came to a halt. And on top of that, do you guys see all those ratty looking Metrolink cars going back and forth, alongside the newer ones Metrolink bought from the Koreans after thy freaked out after Chatsworth? The ones they are getting rid of are sitting in sidings everywhere awaiting whatever disposal Metrolink can find to get them gone. Our Vegas friends were going to buy a bunch and refit them to be luxury cars. Color me unimpressed, color you in wait and see mode. The real story on the Chatsworth incident merits a string all on it's own, so I wont go into it here. But needless to say, Fullerton might have been a bridge too far. Last I heard they were going in a different direction. As for the desert wind, let s be clear here. BNSF LOVES Amtrak money, Amtrak is the second largest customer to BNSF, just slightly behind UPS at 30+million per year. In startling contrast, UP HATES Amtrak and all things Amtrak, and just barely tolerates our presence, I remember when I worked for the UP and heard over and over how Amtrak sucked and no one wanted them around on our tracks blah blah blah. So I feel we might see the Desert Wind again some day, Amtrak has enough skin in the Game UP will play ball, and they can get BNSF to do anything they want at 30+ million a year. But not until Amtrak gets a little more streamlined first.....

[Napanutt]

I have a question.
A 60, 70 whatever car train, all the cars have air brakes and are connected by lines to an air compressor, right? How is there not too much air pressure lose from beginning to end to render the brakes useless?

[McRib]

I have a question.
A 60, 70 whatever car train, all the cars have air brakes and are connected by lines to an air compressor, right? How is there not too much air pressure lose from beginning to end to render the brakes useless?

The engines use dynamic brakeing and the air supply is retarted strong. Every car has air tanks on them also. There is full shot on each car on demand.

[Napanutt]

The engines use dynamic brakeing and the air supply is retarted strong. Every car has air tanks on them also. There is full shot on each car on demand.

I thought something like. I've had a class A for almost 20 years now but I'm still intrigued by the inter workings of shit I don't know.

edit: Did some math, have had class A license 22 years now. Getting old sucks.

[Tishimself]

The engines use dynamic brakeing and the air supply is retarted strong. Every car has air tanks on them also. There is full shot on each car on demand.

Well, yes and no. Main air pressure for the main pipe on freight is 90psi, on passenger it's 110...main reservoir pressure is 125-140psi. I do not need dynamics to stop a train, I can do it with stretch braking, and maybe a small shot at the end. All engines, every one of them, has a compressor and a it's engaged at all times. Some are shaft driven, others are electrical, and computer driven. Depends on the the model and the year built. I have no control over them, they do as they please. As for the cars, each has a tank, and that is always charged 90psi. It is the ABSENSE of air, that sets the brakes....as in this diagram...

[McRib]

Well, yes and no. Main air pressure for the main pipe on freight is 90psi, on passenger it's 110...main reservoir pressure is 125-140psi. I do not need dynamics to stop a train, I can do it with stretch braking, and maybe a small shot at the end. All engines, every one of them, has a compressor and a it's engaged at all times. Some are shaft driven, others are electrical, and computer driven. Depends on the the model and the year built. I have no control over them, they do as they please. As for the cars, each has a tank, and that is always charged 90psi. It is the ABSENSE of air, that sets the brakes....as in this diagram...

Thats crazy. The air pressures are lower then id have ever thought. A truck and trailer max out at 130 psi and usually roll around 120 when not being depleted. Constant anything over 60 psi will keep the emergency brakes released. Once the system gets under 60 psi the valve will pop by itself. When im driving aroud on grades my truck will hold 120 and only looses 10 psi in an extreme brakeing situation. My compresser has a governor on it. Kicks in at 90 and cuts out at 120. I guess its all about volume with you guys. I wanna go on a train ride with you TIS. How do I make this happen from fontana???

[Tishimself]

Thats crazy. The air pressures are lower then id have ever thought. A truck and trailer max out at 130 psi and usually roll around 120 when not being depleted. Constant anything over 60 psi will keep the emergency brakes released. Once the system gets under 60 psi the valve will pop by itself. When im driving aroud on grades my truck will hold 120 and only looses 10 psi in an extreme brakeing situation. My compresser has a governor on it. Kicks in at 90 and cuts out at 120. I guess its all about volume with you guys. I wanna go on a train ride with you TIS. How do I make this happen from fontana???

I took down the other pic because I didn't catch that. 60 pounds is from the old days....we run everything through the pipe at 90psi....as for riding with me...it's not worth it...you would have to get to BFD, ride up, then ride back down the next day in the cabcar....too much work for a view that to tell you the truth, aint that great....