Passenger Train

[Y3a]

Why is it Amtrak's fault that the NS will no longer run excursions and only allow the locomotive to be ferried over their rails? We have seen this from NS before. Everytime the leadership changes we get new rules. Remember NS are the ones that intentionally depowered the restored 611 and 1218, forcing the 611 to be restored again.

Perhaps they should just move them to Cheyenne. All the UP steam maintenance equipment is brand new.

Spencer Shops would be better for the N&W stuff. I think its AMTRAK's contract with NS that limits what non-standard equipment NS can run on the same tracks as AMTRAK. At least thats whats inferred on the Fire Up 611 page on the VMT site.

 

[autocoach]

The key to any answer to the question is the date 1942. Everything changed after December 7, 1941. But still to run freight equipment in regular passenger service it had to have steam lines, higher speed trucks for anything but a one-off branch line move. Now 1942 brings up military trains as millions of men and weapons are moving on the rails around the country. That is a vastly different topic.