In the September/October 2011 issue of Mass Transit, Amtrak has a full page full color ad touting its expertise in mechanical services. "Currently partnering with 15 state and four commuter rail agencies, we have over 4,500 dedicated mechanical staff operating in facilities across the country, maximizing equipment reliability wile minimizing cost. Find out what we can do for you by visiting MechanicalServices.Amtrak.com or calling 1-888-920-6378."

I guess this means, Amtrak folks have some spare shop time in between wreck repairs and major overhauls of Amtrak equipment. Would its staff be competitive on restoration work?

Sloan

Consider where the ad appeared; they perform those services almost exclusively for mass transit/commuter agencies, as the ad indicates. I doubt they'd be interested in restorations or any other work on privately owned equipment (except possibly for work required to bring such equipment to Amtrak standards).

Somewhere I have seen an ad by Amtrak offering 40 year truck work for PV owners.

I'm sure if the price was right, they'd be happy to entertain a complete passenger car restoration. Certainly the structural, electromechanical, and undercarriage work would be up their alley (trucks, couplers, draft gear, side and center sills, collision posts, vestibules, carbody repair, electrical cabinet, HEP installation). NS Mechanical Services will also take on your project if you can afford them.

I doubt things like the Wisconsin Fisheries car would be projects they (Amtrak or NS) would take on, but steel passenger cars, diesel locomotives, and electric locomotives come to mind as things that would be doable. NS Mechanical could also serve as intermediary for your steam work with NS's official steam shop in Chattanooga, Tennessee if you're money is green and long enough. Just don't ask for track time to run it on their track, unless your money is really long.

One thing about NS - they are in business to make money, and they will take yours happily if the return is high enough. Always have been that way. I remember when the other eastern Class I was that way.

I have seen a good deal of Amtrak side and center sill work that was OK when they owned/repaired the car, but not OK when a private owner owned the car. Do as they say, but not as they do...

you cannot judge road repairs as a contract type product, if the shop forced are contracted to do a job they do it to the customers expectations, or they don't get paid,

amtrak is goverment subsidized and being that it has to ask Congress and the Senate for funding, and as such the free money spending spree is coming to an end amtrak management offers and always has (ie forty year truck work HEP wiring amtrak certification for PV owners) its expensive "I'd almost rather spend the money hoping a ride into space with the russians rather than pay for HEP/trainline wiring for my imaginary PV car"

I beleive it is union wages in the shop CHHHHAAA CHING!!!

The South Shore Michigan City shops had the simlar thing, they had an experienced crew doing the Orange cars and they pulled in some outside work as well.

Clearly they are not in restoration, just repair. I'd certainly trust them.

dave