tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955530883535642845.post2526701164314536348..comments2023-02-20T12:05:07.921-08:00Comments on The Surfliner Stories: Why are there BNSF locomotives at LA Union Station? IThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09605163506396013904noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955530883535642845.post-48221097090589262842015-11-27T22:53:49.590-08:002015-11-27T22:53:49.590-08:00Metrolink chose these locomotives (Vs. surplus pas...Metrolink chose these locomotives (Vs. surplus passenger engines which are available for lease from other commuter agencies and leasing agencies) because they're already equipped with a Positive Train Control system which is compatible with Metrolink's. Metrolink has apparently decided that PTC is more imperative for safety than the potential safety issue the NTSB flagged with the Rotem cars. As such, they won't place them into service until they've been certified to operate on Metrolink's PTC system. PTC certification is a long, convoluted process and it's been made extra complicated by other factors (such as testing for the new Perris Valley Line which is supposed to be less than a month from opening, but I think it's also behind schedule because the manpower being devoted to projects such as BNSF PTC certification). <br /><br />At this point I think I've heard that Metrolink expects to have these in place on trains by the end of the year (Originally I think they'd said end of September). Unfortunately, I'm of the belief that if a serious derailment occurs with a Rotem car on the point before these BNSF engines are certified and placed into service, Metrolink will be in some serious trouble. Even no official announcement has been made by the NTSB about the safety of the Rotem cars, Metrolink has made it clear that they understand there is a problem which needs corrective action. <br /><br />As for why the safety of the Rotem cars is being called into question, you pretty much summed it up very well. Apparently the NTSB held a private meeting with Metrolink toexpress concern over the design of the pilots. The pilots supposedly don't have enough support structure behind them, and thus could fail in a collision which would allow debris to get under the car and cause it to derail. If this is true, then following the release of the NTSB's report it's likely the FRA will step in and outlaw the cars from leading a train. Metrolink, Trirail, and Rotem will have to design a fix for the cars, which will probably have to be approved by the FRA, and implement it before the cars can lead again. <br /><br />I'm assuming that when all is said and done they'll end up looking similar to the Surfliner or Bombardier cab car pilots.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955530883535642845.post-4205538035750064272015-11-03T15:42:57.087-08:002015-11-03T15:42:57.087-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Damian Clementhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16848409278574016317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955530883535642845.post-40695474393449541662015-11-03T15:42:46.300-08:002015-11-03T15:42:46.300-08:00Metrolink must be burning $'s whilst these loc...Metrolink must be burning $'s whilst these locos sit around not turning a wheel. I wonder what they delay is as they were first quoted to start by the end of September.Damian Clementhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16848409278574016317noreply@blogger.com