by WesternNation
bretton88 wrote:I still wouldn't expect to see them outside of the NEC. The major corridors (Chicago, Cascades, and California) all have new Siemens engines and will be getting Siemens cars in the next few years.WesternNation wrote:Alternative Tier 1 compliance also now exists, which Stadler does comply with. So they wouldn't need a waiver anymore. That being said, I don't know if CSX would let alternative tier 1s run on their rails, so who knows.frequentflyer wrote:Look for Stadler to win the DMUs. Stadler is building an intercity set for the UK. These will most likely be used in the NEC. Think regional NEC service that can run down to Richmond with minimum fuss in DC switching to Diesel. Smart idea.They may not be junk, but they don’t conform to FRA standards. The FRA requires higher coupling strength standards than European regulators do, which effectively bars the intercity DMUs (like Stadler) from operating on US mainlines with freight traffic. There are several examples of DMUs in the US, but they are on dedicated “closed circuit” tracks. Those circuits are the only places where the Stadler GTW operates. Only Colorado Railcar and Nippon-Sharyo build FRA-compliant DMUs.
As I stated before, the DMUs of today are not the Metroliner, SPVs, or Turboliner of yesteryear. Things and technology do progress. Can't look to Europe for an Acela replacement and think their intercity DMUs are junk.
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I don't really foresee any use for them outside of the Northeast unless Amtrak instituted a MASSIVE expansion of corridor service and Chicago doesn't have the capacity for it, with a majority of their corridor services operating out of the south concourse along with the LDs and Metra.