MARC New Multilevels

probably cause Amtrak does electric maintenance on MARC engines and after Amtrak'[s HHP-8 go bye bye , the cost for MARC will go thru the roof. plus maybe MARC is looking at going with other operator and wants nothing to do with Amtrak ?? just guessing here but...

Does MARC own their HHPs or lease as Amtrak does?

Hearing reports that the cars completed testing and entered service today. Can anyone confirm this?

Video of the new cars with an MP36 and AEM-7 (yes, you read that right) on the Camden Line:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVFpKlqQCso

Not a big fan of the "paint" scheme. They should have placed the MARC logo in the center of the car (like in the rendering) instead of squeezing behind the door. This looks like a MARC version of NJ's ACES train

realtype wrote:Video of the new cars with an MP36 and AEM-7 (yes, you read that right) on the Camden Line:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVFpKlqQCso

Not a big fan of the "paint" scheme. They should have placed the MARC logo in the center of the car (like in the rendering) instead of squeezing behind the door. This looks like a MARC version of NJ's ACES train

They look great paired up with that MP36, and I agree with you, definetly would've looked better with the MARC lettering in the middle of the car like the rendering but no big deal.

The Baltimore manifest last night through Port Deposit had 4 MLs on the rear of the train.

Some pics i got in DC.

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And finally......the fail (you'll see it).
So, there were about 7-8 Multilevels. 8001, 02, 03, 04, 05, 45 (cabcar) is what I remember. The west end had a Kawasaki Cab Car and the east end had a MP36. They're apparently still testing because the cab car had plenty of mechanical personel stuff.

Very nice photos! Thanks for posting. Lol @ the last two interior pics!

I wonder how the traps for the doors will work. I know NJT uses automatic traps on all its equipment on low platforms, but MARC only uses manual traps. They even went out of their way to convert the automatic traps on the ex-VRE Kawasakis to manual.

It's good to see a Kawasaki coupled to the multilevels. NJT is very adamant on operating them in solid consists rather than mixing them with other equipment (ostensibly due to incompatible "safety features"), so maybe that won't be an issue for MARC.

Also, I hope they've programmed the automated announcements/LED displays properly so they can be used in service. They stopped using the ones on the Kawasakis about 5 or so years ago.

That thing covering the trap is just a cover....I guess to prevent passengers from accidentally stepping on and opening it.
You lost me with "NJT uses automatic traps". If I am thinking right, you mean that the traps can be opened even though the door is closed (the MU's don't do that). The MARC Multilevels are exactly the same, so we can open then trap before arriving at the next station and open all the doors required at once instead of individually like all the other equipment. Also we can open the door from the outside and if the trap is down "high platform situation", there's a lever beside the step to unfasten it allowing crews to push the trap open, just like with NJT.

I don't count on them using the automated announcements/LED Destination, but it would be nice.

Sorry, I meant the NJT traps were electric and would open at the push of a button with the doors for low platform stations rather than the conductor walking from door to door to open each one individually. This is the best video I could find (Comet V's): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw6glQmGqBs&t=0m35s

New equipment for the Thanksgiving trains?