Amtrak Borealis: fka Empire Builder 2nd Daily Frequency Chicago - St Paul

There was a picture somewhere of a long string of them being moved to storage. It was also discussed over in the California forums here. These cars are basically bullet proof and, given a proper overhaul and corridor seats, would make great corridor cars for an expanding network.

They could be used and there could be a car a train for bikes. They are still 40 years old aren't they?

Tadman wrote: ↑Sat May 11, 2024 5:57 am There was a picture somewhere of a long string of them being moved to storage. It was also discussed over in the California forums here. These cars are basically bullet proof and, given a proper overhaul and corridor seats, would make great corridor cars for an expanding network.

If they are that great... why didn't Caltrain keep them and stick an ALP-46 or ACS-64 in front of them?

Good question. Probably so there's no temptation to keep diesel hauled equipment?...

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The Caltrain bilevels do not have the same long-haul trucks the old C&NW "400" cars carried. Even on well-maintained track they were only designed for a top speed of around 70 MPH. C&NW did use at least some of them in Chicago-Milwaukee or Chicago-Green Bay-points north on occasion, but most likely at speeds of 70 or less, especially north of Milwaukee.

dowlingm wrote: ↑Wed May 15, 2024 11:11 am

Tadman wrote: ↑Sat May 11, 2024 5:57 am There was a picture somewhere of a long string of them being moved to storage. It was also discussed over in the California forums here. These cars are basically bullet proof and, given a proper overhaul and corridor seats, would make great corridor cars for an expanding network.

If they are that great... why didn't Caltrain keep them and stick an ALP-46 or ACS-64 in front of them?

As they wouldn't have the faster acceleration that EMU have.

Allouette wrote: ↑Wed May 15, 2024 1:43 pm The Caltrain bilevels do not have the same long-haul trucks the old C&NW "400" cars carried.

The trucks used by Nippon Sharyo (from Atchison Casting) which are really just a modern casting of the same trucks used in the 1950's, and seem to do just fine at 70+ in my experience.

dowlingm wrote: ↑Wed May 15, 2024 11:11 am

Tadman wrote: ↑Sat May 11, 2024 5:57 am There was a picture somewhere of a long string of them being moved to storage. It was also discussed over in the California forums here. These cars are basically bullet proof and, given a proper overhaul and corridor seats, would make great corridor cars for an expanding network.

If they are that great... why didn't Caltrain keep them and stick an ALP-46 or ACS-64 in front of them?

Good question. Acceleration is one factor. Also politicians love taking pics in front of shiny new trains and have never been accused of making good decisions.

VRE and Metra run plenty of Sumitomo gallery cars all day and Caltrain was not exactly a hard user, either.

Service began successfully today.
https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews ... kes-debut/

I had to take a second look at the final line - but it was the Empire Builder, not the Borealis, that left St. Paul 1:18 late.

If it didn't have to run via Milwaukee they could call it the Aurora Borealis ...

I was using train tracker all day at work to see where these 2 trains would meet. Today it looks like it was easy of Tomah. I was also wonder what happens if the Borealis catches up with a severely delayed Builder going east. pass it? Today's eastbound was trailing the builder by 1.5 hours I believe

Hard to believe the new station at St.Pauls has been open 10 years.

Borealis Train | Amtrak - looks like a glossy tourist brochure.

However, Rail Passengers Association | Washington, DC - Stand Up for A Connected America! has the schedule: Borealis (Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago) Timetable - borealis.pdf

Westward:

• Chicago: EB 3:05 pm Bor 11:05 am
• Milwaukee: EB 4:45 pm Bor 12:39 pm
• St. Paul: EB 10:56 pm Bor 6:29 pm

(EB) - (Bor) = 4 hr

Eastward:

• St. Paul: EB 8:50 am Bor 11:50 am
• Milwaukee: EB 2:57 pm Bor 5:40 pm
• Chicago: EB 4:45 pm Bor 7:14 pm

(Bor) - (EB) = 3 hr

Since the Borealis is a corridor train, it may have more convenient arrival and departure times than the EB, a long-distance one.

The Borealis is way more convenient if you're overnight in the twin cities. You get not really late and you have until noon to catch the flip. This is something I am going to try this weekend. The Borealis also gets to MSP early enough to get to the airport for late night flights.

superbad wrote: ↑Wed May 22, 2024 9:41 pm The Borealis is way more convenient if you're overnight in the twin cities. You get not really late and you have until noon to catch the flip. This is something I am going to try this weekend. The Borealis also gets to MSP early enough to get to the airport for late night flights.

As I mentioned, this is a good thing, but I won't be surprised if another Borealis set is pressed into Empire duty if said Empire is really really really late.