Ann Arbor-Detroit Commuter Rail

[TrainWatcher]

I'm glad someone brought up the Old School EMD E8's. There have been many updated and brought to currect Blue Carded specs. It's possible. I don't hear of to many ex-F40's wondering around places.

[quote="sd70accsxt700]OK dont know what those would be, other then some old CB&Q E6's or something. I would have to say look for F40's. In fact didnt Raildudes Dad say they were going to be F40's at one point.[/quote]

[GLC 392]

its going to be GP's with HEP i bet, actually i wouldn't be surprised if the "new" GP38's have HEP but just speculation.

[sd70accsxt700]

No place to put HEP in a GP38 carbody. Not with out the extra frame length of a GP38P and even then I think those were steam heat. Its going to have to be a either a passenger specific built unit or a monster, like NJT, MARC, Metro North, and others have.

Something like these.
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=2021041
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=2033401
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... ?id=124999
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... ?id=245190
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=1569162

[SD80MAC]

Tri-Rail and Virginia Railway Express both operate ex GP39X's and GP49X's (something along those lines) which are equipped with HEP. Not sure if they extended them or not. If it's run off the prime mover like the F40's, there wouldn't be a need to accomodate an APU.

[GLC 392]

OK, i will say some of the ex-GOT F59's.

[sd70accsxt700]

Tri-Rail and Virginia Railway Express both operate ex GP39X's and GP49X's (something along those lines) which are equipped with HEP. Not sure if they extended them or not. If it's run off the prime mover like the F40's, there wouldn't be a need to accomodate an APU.

Even if it is run off the prime mover, you still need the extra frame space for the actual unit its self. Or maybe I should better say extra hood space, with hardly any walkway on the rear. You cant just take a GP what ever and make it a HEP unit with out doing something to make room for the HEP unit. If yo look at the links I put up every one has had some kind of extention put on it.

[OwlCaboose2853]

See by Bob's Commuter Train Photos; TriRail, Virginia Railway Express, MARC and more http://home.earthlink.net/~nordicus/pho ... 10001.html

[j32885]

Here's the latest on the MITrain:

Michigan By Rail:
http://mibyrail.wordpress.com/2010/09/2 ... etro-area/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michigan- ... 4714720726

Groups pushing for better rail service in metro area
http://www.pressandguide.com/articles/2 ... 261664.txt

[msurailfan]

I was talking about this with my parents a couple days ago and I thought of something that could be troubling:

Don't get me wrong, I really want this to succeed. But I see a major problem with getting ridership going on this line. The problem is very simple. Amtrak already has a train that services the line and all stops on the line. I just see MiTrain having issues taking ridership from Amtrak on this line. I guess if it were up to me (and, of course, in hindsight) I would have tested this out on a different route. Now, obviously, there are problems with that idea, too, as you'd have to put in stations in places that don't already have them, but I would have preferred them to take a different route. I guess I just think it's going to be hard to predict ridership on a single line that is already serviced by another carrier. Ultimately this might not be an issue but it was just something we thought of and I thought I'd throw it out there.

[KenB]

Amtrak does not sell tickets for riders going from Dearborn to Detroit also if you check the Amtrak schedule there is no Eastbound train in the morning from AA to Detroit and no eastbound train from AA to Detroit in the evening.
Yes, you can take Amtrak from Dearborn to AA to get to work in the morning but how would you get home?
Part of the plan is to have Amtrak accept SEMTA tickets so in addition to the SEMTA trains you could also ride the regular passenger train if you miis the comuter train.

[msurailfan]

Amtrak does not sell tickets for riders going from Dearborn to Detroit also if you check the Amtrak schedule there is no Eastbound train in the morning from AA to Detroit and no eastbound train from AA to Detroit in the evening.
Yes, you can take Amtrak from Dearborn to AA to get to work in the morning but how would you get home?
Part of the plan is to have Amtrak accept SEMTA tickets so in addition to the SEMTA trains you could also ride the regular passenger train if you miis the comuter train.

Ok, I did not know that. That makes more sense then. Thanks.

[Crow T Robot]

Believe it when I see it....

[OwlCaboose2853]

Amtrak does not sell tickets for riders going from Dearborn to Detroit also if you check the Amtrak schedule there is no Eastbound train in the morning from AA to Detroit and no eastbound train from AA to Detroit in the evening.
Yes, you can take Amtrak from Dearborn to AA to get to work in the morning but how would you get home?
Part of the plan is to have Amtrak accept SEMTA tickets so in addition to the SEMTA trains you could also ride the regular passenger train if you miis the comuter train.

Ok, I did not know that. That makes more sense then. Thanks.

Believe it when I see it....

See at: Future; New Third Ann Arbor Station on U-M Property http://www.railroadfan.com/phpbb/viewto ... =3&t=14636

[RRTTF]

Anyone hear anymore about the "demo" train that they were allegedly going to run in October? Or did that die on the vine, too?

[msurailfan]

Anyone hear anymore about the "demo" train that they were allegedly going to run in October? Or did that die on the vine, too?

I thought the first "demo" for the AA-Detroit was supposed to be thanksgiving? Can anyone confirm/deny?

[GTWChris]

Anyone hear anymore about the "demo" train that they were allegedly going to run in October? Or did that die on the vine, too?

I thought the first "demo" for the AA-Detroit was supposed to be thanksgiving? Can anyone confirm/deny?

It is not confirmed yet, SEMCOG is still working it out with Amtrak to operate the trains. If it does happen there will be a train going to Detroit for the Thanksgiving Day Parade and one coming back. I believe the train will just have Amtrak equipment and I am doubtful it will happen because Amtrak is already short on equipment and Thanksgiving is a busy weekend for Amtrak.

[OwlCaboose2853]

Word on Detroit-Ann Arbor commuter rail expected next week
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20 ... 101029943#

[OwlCaboose2853]

Track deal helps commuter rail: State purchase to cut Detroit-Ann Arbor line costs
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20 ... troit-ann#

CAPITOL BRIEFINGS: Rail backers press for state match
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20 ... tate-match

[JANGAJONGA]

Did they ever run it? i thought it might be running for thanksgiving.

[GTWChris]

Did they ever run it? i thought it might be running for thanksgiving.

No it did not and I have not heard any updates on the project recently.