From: jishnu@nospam.verizon.net   
      
   On 6/2/2014 12:21 PM, Clark F Morris wrote:   
   > It would be interesting to see if one of the serviceable E-units could   
   > handle and improve on the schedules of the Cascade Talgos.  Could two   
   > handle a set if one couldn't?  A single E-Unit could handle 5   
   > streamlined cars on scheduled of 85 minutes or less with 4   
   > intermediate stops on the C&NW with a top speed of 100 mph on admitted   
   > relatively flat terrain.   Could they be allowed higher speeds in the   
   > curves because of the lower weight and forces on the track/  This   
   > experiment could lead to better locomotives for higher speed   
   > equipment.  I know that when I saw the axle load for the Siemens high   
   > speed diesels, I had the belief that all involved should be fired and   
   > any money given to consultants should be reclaimed with interest.   
   >   
   > Clark Morris   
   >   
      
   Considering that no one was fired and no money was returned with   
   interest, one could surmise that the people making the decisions simply   
   don;t agree with your point of view. Note that I am not making a value   
   judgement about your opinion. Just stating what I observe relative to   
   the people who are the decision makers these days.   
      
   I am quite sure two Es duly re-engined and rebuilt from ground up, which   
   is what will be needed to me Tier IV regulations, can handle a Talgo   
   rather nicely. But as has been stated by others, there are other better   
   options that should be considered. I doubt that one needs to run an   
   experiment to prove the obvious again, except to satisfy us railfans dreams.   
      
   AFAIK, the same underbalance rules apply to both the E units and the   
   Siemens Vectron based engines, so there will be no difference in maximum   
   speeds that they are allowed around similar curves. And of course   
   nothing is going to run above 110mph without sealed corridor anyway no   
   matter how light and fleet footed they are.   
      
   The sour point really is the restrictions on underbalance enforced by   
   the FRA. The Acelas for example are capable of handling greater   
   underbalance than what FRA allows, and that adversely affects overall   
   running times.   
      
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