Amtrak Operating With VIA Equipment

I will guess that Amtrak and VIA switched off on locomotive service with one railroad running its locomotives on one day and the other running on another day.  The two government railroads probably have or had a locomotive sharing agreement.

NH Joe

I took the Maple Leaf about 10 years ago and the train was a run through to Toronto with Amtrak power. Both the T&E and service crews changed at the border and the US liquor was swapped with Canadian stock.

Railfan Brody posted:

I know that Amtrak used VIA F40's between Chicago and Canada, but why didn't they use their own power?

And by the way, this picture seems really weird with the superliner coaches the same size as the locomotive. Is that right?

To me, it appears that the first 3 coaches were the former Santa Fe Hi-Level cars that are 8” shorter than the Superliner, which might be the last car.

These are just my opinion.

Thanks,

Naveen Rajan

Rule292 posted:

I took the Maple Leaf about 10 years ago and the train was a run through to Toronto with Amtrak power. Both the T&E and service crews changed at the border and the US liquor was swapped with Canadian stock.

So, they substituted 1 oz Canadian shots for 1.5 oz. 

And by the way, this picture seems really weird with the superliner coaches the same size as the locomotive.
Is that right?

It is if the cars are really the old SF el cap cars. and the first three sure look it. the last car appears to be a superliner which is a bit taller than the El Cap cars.

Little test for you  Brody..... Why is the handle on the switch stand painted yellow?  

It identifies the "controls" of the stand. In other words, what to grab on to. Just like in a steam locomotive cab where all of the valves and levers are painted red. It also can prevent injuries because it will prevent the operator from getting their fingers caught in a moving part.

Nope...    Hint     the yellow handle indicates a condition on  the other track if lined  for that route.  

I'm sure you may actually have  removed one  with your  duties at Fort Wayne.. (maybe not)

Railfan Brody posted:

It identifies the "controls" of the stand. In other words, what to grab on to.

Don't think so.

Just like in a steam locomotive cab where all of the valves and levers are painted red.

Generally speaking, only "modern" excursion steam locomotives have all those " valves and levers painted red". Back in the days of steam, that was NOT the case.

It also can prevent injuries because it will prevent the operator from getting their fingers caught in a moving part.

What?????

I know it's the week end... did you give up?   

I didn't remove a switch stand in New Haven, so what do the color codes mean?

It means there's a derail on the track  . Not all    tracks with derails have yellow handle switch stands but the one  your pic  does. 

   The  switch in the pic probably has another lock  with a foot pedal locking the switch points  that must also be removed.  Why... In case of a accident  the switch stand may get knocked off but the other lock keeps the points from opening up preventing a derailment.

 Are you familiar with  derails yet? 

Gregg posted:

 Are you familiar with  derails yet? 

Yes. A derail can be placed for a multitude of reasons. It's main cause is to keep equipment and and employees safe. It could be placed on each side of a MOW crew so if a train happens to come onto their track, the train derails instead of hitting the crew. A derail could be used to protect a main line too (I made the FWRHS connection as they have a derail at the interchange, but I haven't removed it because I'm younger than 18, and thus I'm not allowed on NS property). And in the rarest case, it could be used to disable an unmanned train.  

Pretty  good answers....This is probably the best   .....A derail could be used to protect a main line too.(absolutely)

MOW crews  may have their own switch locks  so train crews can't open a switch....

And in the rarest case, it could be used to disable an unmanned train.    Not too sure about that,,,  I think it would depend on the speed .  The Movie Unstoppable was a bit far fetched.  

Anyway thanks for taking part.