by Gilbert B Norman
Officer (Captain?) West Point, of the 108 cars noted by Col. Perkowski, the answer is NONE. They have been stricken from the roster.
Now if there are an ADDITIONAL 100 or so cars, I guess that is an "it depends". Some just might only need the periodic brake system maintenance (COTS) and other similar repairs that are awaiting parts and/or staff to repair them.
But with these fleets now so old, there may no longer be commercial sources available. That means Amtrak would need to fabricate those parts, and the "old heads" with the expertise to do so have simply "checked out", and there are no "heads out on the street" available to replace them.
Now if there are an ADDITIONAL 100 or so cars, I guess that is an "it depends". Some just might only need the periodic brake system maintenance (COTS) and other similar repairs that are awaiting parts and/or staff to repair them.
But with these fleets now so old, there may no longer be commercial sources available. That means Amtrak would need to fabricate those parts, and the "old heads" with the expertise to do so have simply "checked out", and there are no "heads out on the street" available to replace them.