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Anyone know what is happening in Battle Creek? 351 and 365 seem to be stuck there.

the engine on 351 had an ITCS failure and the trains were combined beyond
Andy

As an early year update, it’s interesting to note that earlier this week, the Pere Marquette consist switched from its typical three Superliners to three single level cars: Horizon coach, Amfleet coach and Horizon cafe. Normally, it runs single level cars in the warmer seasons and Superliners in the winter as they are less likely to freeze up.

In other news, the Elkhart virtual rail fan cams give a good video of typical Capitol and Lake Shore Limited pandemic era consists. The Capitol is a short 5 cars in length: Superliner transition sleeper, sleeper, diner, coach/baggage, and coach, usually behind just a single P42. The Lake Shore yields two P42s, with a Viewliner, Amfleet Lounge and two Amfleet coaches as the Boston section followed by three more Amcoaches, Viewliner II diner, two Viewliner sleepers, and a Viewliner baggage car.

With the long distance Superliner equipped trains being cut back to 3 days a week and running with fewer cars...
The need to pull the Superliners off the PM doesn't seem to exist right now.
Is Amtrak parking Superliner cars when they need something more than the typical daily maintenance?

Word is Amtrak is running an extra to Pontiac today. Call time 7am today in Chicago, and 8am tomorrow in Pontiac.

ConrailDetr​oit wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 11, 2021 9:21 am

Word is Amtrak is running an extra to Pontiac today. Call time 7am today in Chicago, and 8am tomorrow in Pontiac.

Test train w new coaches right?

Yes, Amtrak test train with new cars. Anybody seen it yet?

Update: Word is not until Monday the 25th.

GP30M4216 wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 08, 2021 9:56 pm

As an early year update, it’s interesting to note that earlier this week, the Pere Marquette consist switched from its typical three Superliners to three single level cars: Horizon coach, Amfleet coach and Horizon cafe. Normally, it runs single level cars in the warmer seasons and Superliners in the winter as they are less likely to freeze up.

Amtrak P370-05, evening eastbound train, on Jan 5th, 2021 is when the single level cars had appeared. On Jan 10th's P370-10 they went back to running with 3 SuperLiner cars.

Word is Amtrak will try again Monday 01/25 with a #952 out of Chicago 0700 CST. Returning as #953 on Tuesday. It's a deadhead move to test new coaches from Siemens. Too bad they didn't take advantage of light loadings and test them in actual revenue service. Passengers could get complementary snacks as a goodwill effort.

CR900945 wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 24, 2021 10:27 am

Word is Amtrak will try again Monday 01/25 with a #952 out of Chicago 0700 CST. Returning as #953 on Tuesday. It's a deadhead move to test new coaches from Siemens. Too bad they didn't take advantage of light loadings and test them in actual revenue service. Passengers could get complementary snacks as a goodwill effort.

Any idea if they'll be stopping at stations and such? Specifically wondering if their timing across the state should be similar to a regular operation train. Will it be able to be tracked on Amtrak's website?

mjotrainbrain wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 24, 2021 11:45 am

CR900945 wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 24, 2021 10:27 am

Word is Amtrak will try again Monday 01/25 with a #952 out of Chicago 0700 CST. Returning as #953 on Tuesday. It's a deadhead move to test new coaches from Siemens. Too bad they didn't take advantage of light loadings and test them in actual revenue service. Passengers could get complementary snacks as a goodwill effort.

Any idea if they'll be stopping at stations and such? Specifically wondering if their timing across the state should be similar to a regular operation train. Will it be able to be tracked on Amtrak's website?

They don’t publicize or inform anybody about anything moving about not in revenue service.

ns8401 wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 24, 2021 12:34 pm

mjotrainbrain wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 24, 2021 11:45 am

CR900945 wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 24, 2021 10:27 am

Word is Amtrak will try again Monday 01/25 with a #952 out of Chicago 0700 CST. Returning as #953 on Tuesday. It's a deadhead move to test new coaches from Siemens. Too bad they didn't take advantage of light loadings and test them in actual revenue service. Passengers could get complementary snacks as a goodwill effort.

Any idea if they'll be stopping at stations and such? Specifically wondering if their timing across the state should be similar to a regular operation train. Will it be able to be tracked on Amtrak's website?

They don’t publicize or inform anybody about anything moving about not in revenue service.

Thank you, I assumed not but wanted to be sure.

mjotrainbrain wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 24, 2021 11:45 am

CR900945 wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 24, 2021 10:27 am

Word is Amtrak will try again Monday 01/25 with a #952 out of Chicago 0700 CST. Returning as #953 on Tuesday. It's a deadhead move to test new coaches from Siemens. Too bad they didn't take advantage of light loadings and test them in actual revenue service. Passengers could get complementary snacks as a goodwill effort.

Any idea if they'll be stopping at stations and such? Specifically wondering if their timing across the state should be similar to a regular operation train. Will it be able to be tracked on Amtrak's website?

So... 11/12 for the Ann Arbor area I'd presume.

Edit: forgot about the time zone...

According to IDOT, 952 departed CHI a little after 0700L today, 1/25. Last time I checked on the signals at Asylum, they were still showing “stop”, and I haven’t heard anything pass other than 351. 365 is approaching Kalamazoo now. My guess is that 952 will make an appearance after 365 has disappeared.

There are two men with flags ready to protect the Opdyke Road crossing on CN in Bloomfield Hills on the Holly Sub at 10:30 am for this special train. Supposedly dignitaries (including FRA) are on board so the railroad is making sure there are no grade crossing accidents. Not past MP 22.5 yet.

MDOT just showed up on Chelsea to plan shots. Said it's about an hour out.

Peter

Edit: Update from down the line, looks like it's delayed, will probably be in Chelsea around 13:30. I'm off to find some lunch.

A video posted on Train Orders shows train 952 leaving Chicago led by Charger 4620. It has two new coaches, Amtrak Exhibit Car Pacific Bend, two more coaches and Charger 4608. I assume the new cars are coaches, but could not read any numbers or car descriptions on their sides. With an engine on each end it would appear that tests of cab cars are in the future.
Andy

Amtrak is stopped straddling i69 in Marshall. Charger either side of the highway. Gray car in the middle and 2 lighter ones either side. Seems like an odd place to park but really cool to see them. I rarely see trains there 1332

KC8RBK wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 25, 2021 1:38 pm

Amtrak is stopped straddling i69 in Marshall. Charger either side of the highway. Gray car in the middle and 2 lighter ones either side. Seems like an odd place to park but really cool to see them. I rarely see trains there 1332

I wonder if the MDOT drone crew is out there getting some shots on the bridge? MDOT Rail Twitter account posted a few photos of the new cars at the Battle Creek station. Ironic to have the 1950s veteran former Heritage sleeper intermingling with this new equipment almost 70 years younger!