Completing backlogged radio summaries. There are hilarious conversations sometimes.
As a reminder, I capture almost all dispatcher messages in CETC-8 (Union [at Rahway] exclusive to Ham [at Trenton] exclusive) and most train/cab transmissions north of the Adams Yard at MP 35.
There appear to be a few antennas at (usually in the range of 100-150W) that CETC-8 uses:
- Rahway (Union Int.)
- Metuchen (Lincoln Int.)
- North Brunswick (Adams Yard)
- Monmouth Junction (Midway Int.)
- Trenton (Ham Int. - don't think I can hear this one)
Night 5/10 - morning 5/11
10:32PM - KP2022 asked to call dispatcher
10:34PM - KP2022 needed crew to check MCB
11:22PM - Casual conversation with KP crew, dispatcher, NJ Transit crew (likely the 11:34PM #3742 from Jersey Ave, deadheads to EWR, deals with KP2022 every night)
* Did they just complete 300 trips?
* The KP crew was celebrating the 200 mile an hour [what]? I can't tell if this was sarcasm and whether there was actually champagne.
12:53AM - KP2022 stopped at Delco and needed foul on 2 track Adams to County (had an issue with [couldn't hear])
1:03AM - Cleared foul
2:18AM - Ready to go west; CETC-7 asked for 3 to 2 west at Ham (probably went home on that run)
Night 5/11 (Saturday)
10:05PM - KP2022 asked to call dispatcher
Night 5/13 - morning 5/14
10:38PM - KP2022 needed 4 track protection
10:46PM - #3737 told to hold at Lincoln for foul
10:50PM - received foul
10:54PM - #3891 also held at Menlo/Metropark
10:58PM - KP2022 clear of foul
12:05AM - #3895 - 3 track County to Midway, Midway to Ham on 1; #3897 did the same at 1:53AM - KP2022 likely went home before then
Night 5/15
No traffic camera sighting though the array of camera alignment was awful today; didn't expect the test train in NJ tonight as there was a move this morning to Sunnyside. (amtraktrains.com user Acela150)
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As a trainset is reported moved to Sunnyside, I'll be dormant and not watching closely, though I review radio logs the day after.
TheOneKEA wrote: ↑Tue May 14, 2024 8:24 pm
I appreciate your efforts to keep us informed!
If all types of speed testing are important then I would have assumed that a few runs between North Point and Perry Interlockings would have occurred at some point during the testing. If I remember correctly the line speed along that segment of the NEC is 125mph to 135mph, and is regularly used by freight traffic, which should make the track conditions "interesting" for testing of the Avelia suspension and trucks at speeds above 90mph. I am assuming that few or no tests have taken place here because they either aren't necessary, or there are no paths along the double track segments that could be acquired for testing outside of regular passenger traffic hours.
I think it's evident by all the fouls they needed that County - Ham is the only appropriate place to do speed tests until those "pass". Maybe after that's done they can start testing line speeds in other places. The 2- and 3-track segments seem inappropriate until they're really sure.
South of New York, except County - Ham, the limit does not exceed 135MPH. County - Midway is 145MPH (ex. two curves) and Midway - CP Clark is 150MPH. North of New York (in fact, narrowed down to Rhode Island and Massachusetts) there are 3 segments with 150MPH. I assume these will be bumped up to 160MPH. I wonder what will happen to County - Midway (145MPH) as Acela 2 only uses one pantograph rather than both like on Acela 1.
