by Liquidcamphor
The LIRR has flexibility built into it's schedules (arriving early at stations) because realistically, things happen which delay trains and being owned by the State, politics measure the LIRR based on it's "On Time Performance". This will NEVER change.
Being owned by the State, the procurement process takes several years..the present diesel fleet which began delivery in 1998 was in the design and funding source stage in 1990. For the LIRR to use technology acceptable and commonplace as late as 1997 or 98 in that procurement would have meant for it to be commonplace and acceptable in 1990 or 91.
Without the taxpayers, the LIRR would be sold for scrap. The reality is since it needs the State to survive, it must adhere to the present procurement process and that means it will never be able to use present-cutting edge technology. What you see today will be reflected in the next fleet procurement. It must be available and commonplace when they begin the design stage or you won't see it.
You see this in what the LIRR bought. The present diesels reflect the LIRR of the early 90's...23 DE ( Diesel only) engines replacing 23 GP-38's..22 Cab Cars replacing 22 converted MP's and F-units used as Power Packs on our "old" push-pull trains. The DM's are the political face of the LIRR. The LIRR of the early 90's had one dual mode train..the FL-9's and C-1's which were a mechanical nightmare and viewed as an anomaly. Politics concerning the "one seat ride" forced them to try to add dual mode trains to the schedules...but as you can see, they tried to rely on their mainstay, tried and proven diesel concept...23 DE's replacing 23 GP's..etc. See the point?
Being owned by the State, the procurement process takes several years..the present diesel fleet which began delivery in 1998 was in the design and funding source stage in 1990. For the LIRR to use technology acceptable and commonplace as late as 1997 or 98 in that procurement would have meant for it to be commonplace and acceptable in 1990 or 91.
Without the taxpayers, the LIRR would be sold for scrap. The reality is since it needs the State to survive, it must adhere to the present procurement process and that means it will never be able to use present-cutting edge technology. What you see today will be reflected in the next fleet procurement. It must be available and commonplace when they begin the design stage or you won't see it.
You see this in what the LIRR bought. The present diesels reflect the LIRR of the early 90's...23 DE ( Diesel only) engines replacing 23 GP-38's..22 Cab Cars replacing 22 converted MP's and F-units used as Power Packs on our "old" push-pull trains. The DM's are the political face of the LIRR. The LIRR of the early 90's had one dual mode train..the FL-9's and C-1's which were a mechanical nightmare and viewed as an anomaly. Politics concerning the "one seat ride" forced them to try to add dual mode trains to the schedules...but as you can see, they tried to rely on their mainstay, tried and proven diesel concept...23 DE's replacing 23 GP's..etc. See the point?