From: jishnu@nospam.verizon.net   
      
   On 4/17/2015 10:02 PM, Michael Finfer wrote:   
   >   
   > One of the issues here is that SEPTA chose a PTC system that is   
   > incompatible with the one CSX will be using.  I am still shaking my head   
   > over that.  Interoperability was supposed to be one of the key features   
   > of operating a national system.   
      
   The PTC technology chosen by the freight railroads is incompatible with   
   high speed operations by their own admission. SEPTA, which operates   
   significant service on the NEC and the Main Line had no choice on the   
   matter of whether they will use Amtrak's ACSES or not, unless they   
   wanted to fund the parallel installation of freight PTC system on the   
   entire length of the NEC, all four tracks through PA, which did not make   
   much sense.   
      
   Amtrak simply installs multiple PTC systems in the locomotives that have   
   to operate on multiple system equipped tracks, as do Europeans, with   
   their plethora of legacy train control systems.   
      
   CSAO is having such parallel installation put in place between Baltimore   
   (Bayview) and Newark DE for through freaights coming down through   
   Perryville to get to the two yards that they access.   
      
   In any case, expect all high speed passenger operations to use a PTC   
   system that is more compatible with the European ERTMS than with the   
   freight PTC. The PTC being installed in the US is a case of NIH which is   
   at the end of the day somewhat less expensive, and not as precise in   
   most installations as ERTMS level 2.   
      
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