[RU479]

And the conductor doesn't even have a desk ... which reminds me of the standard cabs that we have at CN and why I don't like them...

255-257 from what I’ve seen do have a conductor desk. And the refurbished ones from NB have had them installed.

 

[SaugeenJunction]

Some hints about GO’s new electric locos from OnXpress. Looks like Alstom is designing something new from the ground up for GO. Link.

The ONxpress vehicle supplier, Alstom, will design and build new e-locomotives that will meet the changing face of public transit through the Metrolinx On-Corridor GO Expansion program. The vehicles will be made from a platform approach that will integrate design-proven sub-systems, solutions and technologies. With specialized development centres across the globe, in all domains necessary for the mastery of the rolling stock applications such as traction motors, traction chains, bogies, car-shells, and train control, the supplier will provide vehicles that can handle the demands of daily travel with the passenger experience to match.

 

[Northern Light]

Some hints about GO’s new electric locos from OnXpress. Looks like Alstom is designing something new from the ground up for GO. Link.

Hmmmm, could go well; but I'm not sure why can't we just buy off-the-shelf, proven tech.

Being the innovator means having to deal w/the associated pains of getting the kinks out......

 

[RU479]

Some hints about GO’s new electric locos from OnXpress. Looks like Alstom is designing something new from the ground up for GO. Link.

wonder if Alstom could do the same for the 13 diesel locomotives that GO wants to acquire?

 

[cplchanb]

Hmmmm, could go well; but I'm not sure why can't we just buy off-the-shelf, proven tech.

Being the innovator means having to deal w/the associated pains of getting the kinks out......

could go both ways... it could make Alstom look like a hero for a beautiful bespoke loco but it could make them a zero if theres significant teething issues a la the confederation line debacle.

 

[smallspy]

Hmmmm, could go well; but I'm not sure why can't we just buy off-the-shelf, proven tech.

Being the innovator means having to deal w/the associated pains of getting the kinks out......

In fairness, I read it quite a bit differently than you.

I read it as being off-the-shelf, proven technology that is being used elsewhere. It's just that there is no off-the-shelf solution for the North American sphere of operations, and so they're going to have to design a custom shell to house all of these off-the-shelf components in.

Dan

 

[RU479]

wonder if Alstom could do the same for the 13 diesel locomotives that GO wants to acquire?

Speaking of, kind of surprised we haven't heard much else about them, since the very first ones are supposed to arrive next year.

 

[Northern Light]

In fairness, I read it quite a bit differently than you.

I read it as being off-the-shelf, proven technology that is being used elsewhere. It's just that there is no off-the-shelf solution for the North American sphere of operations, and so they're going to have to design a custom shell to house all of these off-the-shelf components in.

Dan

Fair enough, I only gave the post a superficial once over, w/o any detailed examination.

 

[Metroscapes]

Hmmmm, could go well; but I'm not sure why can't we just buy off-the-shelf, proven tech.

Being the innovator means having to deal w/the associated pains of getting the kinks out......

At the same time, electric locomotives are not a new propulsion or other drivetrain system. It's not like they're going to put out a 2020s version of a TurboTrain or Intermediate Capacity Transit System. Electric motors will be set on a frame with (relatively) standard bogies and wheels. Of course it's more complicated than that, but that's the foundation of the system. Then you have former Bombardier and existing Alstom facilities with experience building a frame and other components.

I think if there's going to be kinks, it'll be the computers or the supply chain, much like what we saw with the Flexity Outlook.

 

[Northern Light]

At the same time, electric locomotives are not a new propulsion or other drivetrain system. It's not like they're going to put out a 2020s version of a TurboTrain or Intermediate Capacity Transit System. Electric motors will be set on a frame with (relatively) standard bogies and wheels. Of course it's more complicated than that, but that's the foundation of the system. Then you have former Bombardier and existing Alstom facilities with experience building a frame and other components.

I think if there's going to be kinks, it'll be the computers or the supply chain, much like what we saw with the Flexity Outlook.

I don't disagree, but the number of fixes required of the flexities from doors, to ramps to large welding mistakes cost oodles of time and money.

Customization was not the only issue there, of course, it was new production lines w/under-trained, under-supervised staff and work/parts/design split across 3 different units of the then Bombardier whose communication was poor.

But it does leave an instinct for something with an existing track record and production line.

 

[APTA-2048]

In fairness, I read it quite a bit differently than you.

I read it as being off-the-shelf, proven technology that is being used elsewhere. It's just that there is no off-the-shelf solution for the North American sphere of operations, and so they're going to have to design a custom shell to house all of these off-the-shelf components in.

Dan

Would this be a similar strategy with Siemens’s American Cities Sprinter? How are those doing?

 

[allengeorge]

In fairness, I read it quite a bit differently than you.

I read it as being off-the-shelf, proven technology that is being used elsewhere. It's just that there is no off-the-shelf solution for the North American sphere of operations, and so they're going to have to design a custom shell to house all of these off-the-shelf components in.

Dan

Being an engineer myself (different field) - my observation is that integration of different components - especially if they’re built by different divisions or companies - is often a huge source of problems.

 

[smallspy]

Would this be a similar strategy with Siemens’s American Cities Sprinter? How are those doing?

And the HHP-8s, and the AEM-7s, and the ALP-46s, etc.

From what I've been told, Amtrak has been extremely happy with their performance thus far. Of course there were a few teething issues to start with, but the biggest problem with them is that Siemens simply can not get parts to Amtrak to repair them in a timely manner. (This has also been an issue with the diesel Chargers.) Of course, they've been so reliable that even with 2 units out of service for the long term due to derailment damage they aren't breaking a sweat to make service.

Being an engineer myself (different field) - my observation is that integration of different components - especially if they’re built by different divisions or companies - is often a huge source of problems.

Oh, I totally agree.

But the likelihood that the components themselves, rather than their integration being the problem when they do arrive and start into service is quite low IMHO. Especially if they truly are components that are being used elsewhere, and so there will be known failure modes, known maintenance schedules and procedures, etc.

Of course, all of this is meaningless if the maintenance side of things can't be held to account, too.

Dan

 

[drum118]

ML can buy the 2 NCTD Siemens Charger locomotives,” which were delivered May 5, 2023, but not the 5 bilevel that are for sell now and add them to the fleet

 

[RU479]

ML can buy the 2 NCTD Siemens Charger locomotives,” which were delivered May 5, 2023, but not the 5 bilevel that are for sell now and add them to the fleet

They could use one to replace the 647 that never sees any use due to it being extremely unreliable and a horrible runner