redarrow5591

Nov 11 2008, 11:11 PM

buswizard

Nov 11 2008, 10:30 PM

If there were special tracks that go anywhere you want that currently lack RR service, what places would they be? I think they oughta restore the West Chester & Newtown service, and add a New Hope line

Not Happening. With the FTA's new guidelines on spending, they will not pay for anything that might be considered a "extension", which is what the West Chester, New Hope, Quakertown/Allentown, and Pheonixville/Pottstown/Reading runs will be. And even still, out of those I have said, only the West Chester and Reading lines might just make it. The West Chester is looking like that will be paid with mostly private monies, and Montgomery and Berks Counties is taking over the Reading Corridor with operations being ran by either Norfolk Southern (the owners) or SEPTA. It would not surprise me if Montgomery County is looking at NJT and ALP45DP to run it (purchasing several) but is waiting to see about potential bugs and problems (see the PL42AC).

Note of interest: The ALP45DP is supposed to be essentially a slightly oversized ALP46 with a pantograph and a pair of Gensets for off wire operations. Make no mistake, this beast is not to be confused with the EMD P32ACDM or the LIRR DMs as they operate off a 725VDC third rail and can be tapped directly to the traction motors and the HEP system. The ALP45 has to step down a catenary feed ranging from 12.5Kv 25Hz, 25Kv 25hz or 25Kv 60Hz, and this hasn't been done sucessfully.