Not arguing for either side here, but I think a lot of people are forgetting that Amtrak is currently making improvements to the line from Philadelphia to Paoli, bringing the line up to 90 mph in some sections (and if I recall correctly, higher in others).
They also announced in their “plan” released a week or two ago that they intend to bring the line up to 125 in some sections from its existing maximum speed of 110. This might actually make running the A1s make some sense. However, this is an Amtrak “plan” we’re talking about, and even disregarding the recent legislative rumbles about seizing this stretch of track from Amtrak, Amtrak plans rarely come to fruition as originally conceived (see: service to the Florida Panhandle).
I think another important part of this equation to consider is Bombardier/Alstom. Do they own these trainsets and lease them to Amtrak, not unlike the Hippos?
They also announced in their “plan” released a week or two ago that they intend to bring the line up to 125 in some sections from its existing maximum speed of 110. This might actually make running the A1s make some sense. However, this is an Amtrak “plan” we’re talking about, and even disregarding the recent legislative rumbles about seizing this stretch of track from Amtrak, Amtrak plans rarely come to fruition as originally conceived (see: service to the Florida Panhandle).
I think another important part of this equation to consider is Bombardier/Alstom. Do they own these trainsets and lease them to Amtrak, not unlike the Hippos?