Subject: FRA, TALGO, and Private Cars (11/29/00)
We have now received a modified or corrected Initial Decision from the FRA with respect to the operation of the TALGO trains in the Eugene, Oregon to Vancouver, B.C. corridor. The entire Initial Decision is published on the FRA website, as previously you have been advised. Under date of Nov. 27, 2000, the decision has been modified to point out particularly that Private Cars may be handled in the TALGO train sets.
This modification was requested in our Petition for Clarification or Reconsideration, and was supported by Amtrak. As amended it is now specifically set forth that one or more Private Cars may be handled in the TALGO train set, providing they are placed in front of the Talgo trainset (and behind the leading locomotive or cabbage unit). The revised Paragraph 5 is set forth below, the emphasis being in the copy I received.
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5. No private cars or express. FRA does not bear the burden of establishing the safety of grandfathered equipment. ERA's restriction on other equipment in the Cascade consist was intended to ensure that the conditions Amtrak justified for approval would be those observed in practice. Amtrak's petition made no reference to private cars, materials handling cars (MHCs) or RoadRailers. Based upon FRA's current understanding of in-train forces, ERA has no objection to placing conventional equipment such as private cars or MHCs ahead of the Talgo train set in revenue service, and the petition is amended to allow it. Amtrak is correct that the condition does not limit hauling the train set in deadhead moves at the rear of any train. ERA does not understand Amtrak's response to request inclusion of RoadRailer equipment in Talgo consists. Condition 5 is revised to read as follows:
The train sets may be operated in either locomotive-hauled or push-pull service. In locomotive-hauled service, the train set may be followed by a locomotive-type cab control car (e.g., de-powered F40) at Amtrak's election. In push-pull service, revenue and deadhead trains must be operated with a locomotive or locomotive-type cab control car on both ends. In either locomotive-hauled or push-pull service, additional equipment in the train consist (e.g., passenger cars, freight cars, MHCs, and bi-modal equipment) is prohibited, except that one or more units of passenger equipment (e.g., MHCs, private cars, etc.) may be placed in front of the TALGO train set. As used in this paragraph, "locomotive" refers to a passenger locomotive of at least 200,000 pounds in weight. The following conditions apply if it is necessary to substitute motive power due to the failure en route of the F59 assigned to the consist: (i) a passenger locomotive will be substituted if available; (ii) if a passenger locomotive is not available, the freight unit shall be placed at the front of the consist unless it is not possible to do so within a reasonable time, given the need to orient the short hood forward, and (iii) if it is not possible to place the substituted freight unit at the front of the consist, the consist shall be controlled from the front of the train and the speed of the train shall be limited to 40 mph until the pushing locomotive is removed from the rear of the consist.
Paul DeVerter II
Commenti