#261's trip with Amtrak-- Can it work elsewhere?

C.P. O'Shea · **Posted:** Fri Mar 19, 2004 1:34 am

No prob, Ed, I'll take them one at a time...

> Not really being a diesel guy, could I have
> little help with some of the examples?

> What's a MHC?

Material Handling Car, the 1400 and 1500-numbered series of "Amboxes" that rode on express-car-style trucks and carried US Mail or other less-than-carload express shipments. Last I heard, they were all embargoed and retired, with them probably all going to scrap (now's the time to act, if anyone wants to save one!). I'd have to check and see if the restrictions cover the MHC II cars, which (IIRC) carry different number series' than the original MHC's.

> NEC?

Amtrak's NorthEast Corridor.

> CS and LSL??

CS- Cab Signals
LSL- Locomotive Speed Limiter

Both are required for operation on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor.

Fiv4HghStk@aol.com

Chris Jacks · **Posted:** Fri Mar 19, 2004 2:29 am

Speaking as someone who has investigated Amtrak steam trips and been involved with the proposal process...To make a BIG generalization, Amtrak's contract with their host railroads lets them operate a passenger train anywhere on the host railroad. However, when it comes to steam charter Amtrak trips, and (from my experience) diesel Amtrak charter trips, Amtrak does ask for approval of the host railroad first.

Thus, it isn't coincidence that the only railroads to date to host Amtrak steam charter trips have been BNSF and CP. They have been receptive to running these trips. Note that you haven't seen Amtrak steam charter trips on NS, CSX, or UP. I wouldn't expect to see Amtrak steam charters ever on UP or NS, and probably never on CSX either. I don't think these railroads would ever approve such operations, and I don't think Amtrak would ever try to force a Class 1 to operate such a trip.

That's been my experience.

Chris J.

christrainman@yahoo.com

David · **Posted:** Fri Mar 19, 2004 9:52 am

I can picture it happening on CSX. They are all about insurance and have been somewhat steam friendly in recent years regarding steam ferry movements, etc. They also allowed 261 to pull the New River Train back in 1994 I believe under MARC sponship. This was after the CSX ban on excursions.

T.J. Gaffney · **Posted:** Fri Mar 19, 2004 11:40 am

> Thus, it isn't coincidence that the only
> railroads to date to host Amtrak steam
> charter trips have been BNSF and CP. They
> have been receptive to running these trips.
> Note that you haven't seen Amtrak steam
> charter trips on NS, CSX, or UP. I wouldn't
> expect to see Amtrak steam charters ever on
> UP or NS, and probably never on CSX either.
> I don't think these railroads would ever
> approve such operations, and I don't think
> Amtrak would ever try to force a Class 1 to
> operate such a trip.

> That's been my experience.

> Chris J.

You forgot to mention CN/ CNNA.......

TJG

tjgaffney@phmuseum.org

Chris Jacks · **Posted:** Fri Mar 19, 2004 11:25 pm

> You forgot to mention CN/ CNNA.......

> TJG

That was deliberate as it is yet to be seen what CN's response to Amtrak steam trips will be. I am pretty sure some big Amtrak steam trips over CN will be proposed for mid-2005. I will say that CN has been accomodating to proposals for Amtrak diesel charters (although few if any of them have actually come off in recent years).

Chris J.

chrisjacks@chrisjacks.com

T.J. Gaffney · **Posted:** Mon Mar 22, 2004 5:06 pm

To quote the 60's show "Laugh-In":

"Very interesting......"

TJG

> That was deliberate as it is yet to be seen
> what CN's response to Amtrak steam trips
> will be. I am pretty sure some big Amtrak
> steam trips over CN will be proposed for
> mid-2005. I will say that CN has been
> accomodating to proposals for Amtrak diesel
> charters (although few if any of them have
> actually come off in recent years).

> Chris J.

tjgaffney@phmuseum.org