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I get this message: "This queued images does not appear to belong to you, and thus, cannot be viewed."
Henry Kisor Member # 4776
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Me too.
Italiancanuck89 Member # 1873
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Let me see what I can do
amtrak92 Member # 14343
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I got that same message, but I'm willing to look at it
Italiancanuck89 Member # 1873
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I submitted the photo to railpictures.net but it hasn't be posted yet. That's probably why the link doesn't work. I'll correct the link once the pictures up unless there's a way I can just put the picture in a message here
amtrak92 Member # 14343
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There is a way, but I have never tried it, as like you I have pictures I could post.
Southwest Chief Member # 1227
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Since we can't see your photo yet, I'm taking a wild guess here...lets see how well my psychic abilities are working.
Are you wondering about an Automatic Train Stop (ATS) shoe? Looks like this:
If it is, then these are used by Amtrak on former Santa Fe routes. Currently only in use on the Southwest Chief and Pacific Surfliner. It's a form of train control that allows running above 79mph. Why the Chief and Surfliner can go 90mph.
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Ha! Heck of a guess and you're spot on. Thank you!
RRRICH Member # 1418
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I got a message saying "No image matches that ID number."
RRCHINA Member # 1514
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At locations where speed in excess of 79 mph is allowed these devices attached to the locomotive will periodically interface (run over) another device that is fixed into the track structure. This fixed track device is an ATS (automatic train stop) inductor and when the interface is made a signal is activated in the locomotive cab which the engineer must acknowledge. If he, or she, does not acknowledge the signal within a specified time the trains brakes will be activated because it is assumed that the engineer is incapcitated. Thus there is an automatic train stopage.
smitty195 Member # 5102
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I thought I had heard that the Southwest Chief no longer does 90 MPH because BNSF decided not to maintain the track to those standards? Doesn't it have something to do with BNSF pretty much abandoning the main line that 3/4 uses in the 90 MPH territories because they moved their trains to a different main line? I thought that the agreement was that BNSF would maintain those tracks to 79MPH running, but 90 with ATS. Does this sound familiar to anyone?
Southwest Chief Member # 1227
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quote:Originally posted by smitty195: I thought I had heard that the Southwest Chief no longer does 90 MPH because BNSF decided not to maintain the track to those standards? Doesn't it have something to do with BNSF pretty much abandoning the main line that 3/4 uses in the 90 MPH territories because they moved their trains to a different main line? I thought that the agreement was that BNSF would maintain those tracks to 79MPH running, but 90 with ATS. Does this sound familiar to anyone?
The speed reduction is mostly on the Raton line. ATS is still in effect on the BNSF transcon in several locations (Daggett, Crookton Cutoff, Gallup, Winslow, etc...).
I still see ATS trackside inductors all along the line when driving on interstate 40. Even after the searchlight signals have been replaced. I might be crazy, but the ATS inductors next to the newer tri-light signals also look to be new since they are very shiny. A spot where you can clearly see them from the interstate is at Pisgah.
However I have not been able to deny nor confirm if the ATS sections on Raton are no longer there, still there but non operating, or still active.
RRCHINA Member # 1514
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smitty195, BNSF no longer runs its trains between La Junta and Lamy and therefore have offered AMTRAK the option of assuming maintenance on this segment or running trains 3 and 4 on the TRANSCON through Wichita, Amarillo and Belen. Thus far AMTRAK has said they will pay the maintenance costs south from La Junta.
Additionally BNSF has informed AMTRAK that some segments of its line west from Newton to La Junta needs upgrading (new rail & more) to support AMTRAK operations above 60 MPH, while it is OK for BNSF freight operations which do not require many trains or significant speed. If AMTRAK wishes to regain permission to operate above 60 MPH they must pay for the upgrade. Again BNSF has suggested that 3 and 4 operate on the Transcon in lieu of the line throught La Junta and Raton.
smitty195 Member # 5102
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Thank you for the information!
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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This discussion again gives rise to the 'who's leaning on Amtrak" to maintain - and this apparently now means a literal maintain - the route over Raton Pass.
As Mr. China immediately notes, it appears that BNSF management is being a troupe of Cirque du Soleil contortionists to accommodate 3-4, Southwest Chief, over their "Transcon' line. However, Amtrak is prepared to accept the costs of maintaining Albuquerque-La Junta and may be looking at additional costs if they desire to operate Newton-La Junta at passenger train speed.
As anyone who follows my material knows, I hardly consider those inhabiting 60 Mass to be (so long as we're talkin' showbiz here) a troupe of clowns. I sincerely believe they are conducting Amtrak operations in the most economic and efficient manner possible within the 'fishbowl' of a politically responsive government agency.
So who is leaning on them? Scouts (Raton), Albuquerque (likely lose train service; replaced with an Ambus Belen connection), environmentalists (invent a reason for them, someone)?
Enquiring mind wants to know.
RRCHINA Member # 1514
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It should be noted that the State of New Mexico now owns the track from Lamy through Albuquerque to Belen, not BNSF.
NM was going to buy the track from Trinidad through Raton Pass to Lamy but had to withdraw I presume because of financial constraints.
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