Time for an Amtrak pic thread!

Kurt Moose Aug 28, 2021

  1. mmi16

    mmi16 TrainBoard Member

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    Amtrak is responsible for Amtrak. During my career, CSX fought a battle with Amtrak for Amtrak to supply their own Conductor and Engineer on their trains and not use CSX employees, eventually Amtrak did crew their trains. Virtually all operational communications between Amtrak and CSX is handled by the CSX Passenger Operations Desk that is manned 24/7/365. Amtrak, by contract, is expected to fuel their equipment to prevent delay to CSX operations. In the case of mechanical breakdown CSX will supply freight power to move Amtrak trains - if Amtrak has HEP issues, that is beyond the ability of CSX to provide assistance.

    From experience, Amtrak Crew Management has difficulty in dealing with Amtrak crews, especially as crews approach the Hours of Service law and getting relief crews in place.
     
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  2. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks. That explains a lot. Amtrak is a federally controlled organization, not a private corporation where success is based on efficiency, pride, and merit.

    As a defense contractor, I had daily interaction with government employees from top technical up through second and third level management. The apathy and inefficiencies were pervasive.

    Please understand that there were many individual contributors who were dedicated to their job missions. Sadly, they had little support or encouragement from their superiors. Consequently, they did their daily best performing assigned tasks, then went home to more pleasant homes, libations, and hobbies.
     
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  3. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    Amtrak California - Fullerton CA - Jan 2009

    IMG_9568.JPG IMG_9566.JPG IMG_9565.JPG IMG_9564.JPG IMG_9563.JPG IMG_9562.JPG
     
  4. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

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    I love the graceful lines that EMD created with that locomotive design. A pity that GE didn't do the same with their P series.
     
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  5. mmi16

    mmi16 TrainBoard Member

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    Since Amtrak was created to fail by Congress - its continued existence for over 50 years is a testament to its employees pride efficiency and merit. Its leadership in those three areas has always been questionable.
     
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  6. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    It's unfortunate that NS's Wick Moorman was only a "transitional CEO" for ATK in 2016. He did a superb job with NS, and ATK would have been greatly blessed with is leadership. I've lost count of the CEOs that ATK has hired in recent history.
     
  7. mmi16

    mmi16 TrainBoard Member

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  8. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I most certainly agree.
     
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  9. r_i_straw

    r_i_straw Mostly N Scale Staff Member

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    At least they painted a scarlet stripe on their stainless Sunset cars. ;) (although it was not quite Daylight Red)
    [​IMG]
     
  10. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    From 10/18/1987, grimy Amtrak F-40PH 344 leads the westbound Crescent into Birmingham, AL. PV Virgina City is bringing up the markers.

    1987-10-18 004 Birmingham AL - for upload.jpg
     
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  11. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

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    Love the old baggage car like in your pic, Hardcoaler!

    Which I have a question; why is Amtrak's newer baggage cars come in the "Heritage 1" scheme, when everything else is in the newer scheme, but older equipment?:cautious:
     
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  12. r_i_straw

    r_i_straw Mostly N Scale Staff Member

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    Looks like an ex Southern Pacific Sunset Limited baggage dorm in the consist. Here is one serving on the AOE.
    [​IMG]
     
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  13. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    Fullerton CA - Jan. 2009

    IMG_9572.JPG IMG_9574.JPG IMG_9575.JPG IMG_9576.JPG IMG_9577.JPG IMG_9578.JPG IMG_9579.JPG IMG_9580.JPG
     
  14. Grey One

    Grey One TrainBoard Supporter

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    An Amtrak Acela stopped outside my window for about an hour or more this afternoon. I'm guessing something was blocking the track ahead.
    Fairly clear shot over the fence:
    Acela Stuck Over the Fence Jan 6 2022 20220106_121150.jpg

    Video from my window showing Shinkansen and the Eastern end of the Layout

    I like the juxtaposition.
     
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  15. r_i_straw

    r_i_straw Mostly N Scale Staff Member

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    The second unit in Train 22, the Eagle gets some fuel in St. Louis on March 9, 2011.
    3-9-11.JPG
     
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  16. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Two Amtrak trains ahead of schedule on the same day?!?

    In heavy snow, Amtrak 7 arrival ahead of schedule:
    _MG_7349.jpg

    Amtrak 8 ahead of schedule, arriving in Minot:

    _MG_7454.jpg
     
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  17. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Bottom photo- Seeing those two people on foot, looks like this might be a crew change?
     
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  18. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Probably not, might just be passengers, but I don't really know.
     
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  19. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

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    Times sure have changed but a photograph of a passenger train pulled into a lit up depot at night is still one of the neatest sights you can see.

    Doug
     
  20. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I wholeheartedly agree. I wish there were less distracting foreground "stuff", but I shouldn't complain. Here's another couple from Saturday night.
    Servicing:
    _MG_7506.jpg

    _MG_7485.jpg

    Runaround by a stack train:
    _MG_7519.jpg
     
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