Not meaning to beat a dead horse here, but in looking at the FRA approved version 11 (May 2017) of MBTA's PTC Implementation plan (PTCIP), here are a couple of data points relevant to PAS/PAR freight ops:
- MBTA PTCIP Table 6-1 Freight Data shows that PAS hauls 6M - 7M gross ton miles of freight between Westminster and Willows
- MBTA will be installing ACSES II wayside transponder based PTC on all of its lines (apparently all MBTA locomotives (except GP40 #3247) and cab cars already have ACSES II hardware with 900MHz radio systems installed - PTC will require upgrade to use of 220MHz radio) and has removed any previous reference to the installation of I-ETMS GPS-based PTC technology (which will be used by freight RRs such as NS, CSX, UP, etc) between Westminster and Willows, meaning trains 22K/23K, 28N/287, EDPO/POED, SEPO/POSE, and locals will require locomotive leaders outfitted with ACSES II. According to MBTA's Q4 2017 PTC progress report, "On August 21, 2017, the MBTA sent notice to tenants to be equipped with ACSES II system by December 31, 2018 to continue to operate on MBTA controlled rail lines". Amtrak power will be outfitted with ACSES II so no issues there with MBTA's PTCIP. Also look for transponder installation along the Fitchburg line (220 transponders are required) this summer in addition to pole lines.
- The MBTA PTCIP says 25 Pan Am locomotives (EMD GP/SD units only so far!) will have ACSES II equipment installed as of Q3 2018. There is no mention of outfitting B40/C40 engines with ATC but the PTCIP does say "the needs of Pan Am RR have not been fully defined".
- The top of PTCIP page 8-5 has this provocative content:
Once MBTA’s PTC System is fully implemented, no non-ACSES equipped locomotives will be permitted into either its ATC with ACSES II South Side territory or on ACSES II in ABS Mode North Side territory. In its effort to ensure interoperability, MBTA will “cap” any non-ACSES equipped train entering MBTA territories with a MBTA ACSES equipped locomotive. Please refer to the PTC Implementation Plans for Amtrak, CSX and NS for their rolling stock fleet PTC characteristics. MBTA is working with the other tenant railroads to obtain their fleet characteristics and PTC interoperability agreements.
This suggests that MBTA provided power will lead 22K/23K, et al, between Westminster and Willows!?! Unless of course NS installs ACSES II on a portion of its fleet which, according to its own most current PTCIP, NS says it will not. Furthermore, NS trains operating over Amtrak NEC, where ACSES II is installed, between Perryville and Baltimore will use its own fleet of I-ETMS equipped locomotives with NS contracting with Amtrak for I-ETMS installation between Philadelphia and DC.
So taking the latest versions of the MBTA, NS, and Amtrak PTCIPs literally, MBTA provided power (leased ex-Cl 1 RR power like ex-CSX C40s?) will be leading PAS freights between Westminster and Willows. Should be an interesting operation!
MBTA v11 PTCIP:
https://www.regulations.gov/document?D= ... -0030-0027