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The Philadelphia Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society Established in 1936

Railfan Pictures of the Week - 05/15/2005

Amtrak Northeast Corridor Wilmington DE May 14 2005

In order to evaluate recent modifications, an Acela Express set has been outfitted with sensors for monitoring the brakes during test runs on the NEC. The first run was on May 14 2005 from Washington DC to Wilmington DE and return.

The test train stopped north of Yard Interlocking to check the instrumentation. Since there were people on the ground at the hind end, the engineer has the rear view mirrors deployed on 2016.

Meanwhile, back on 2038, they check the setup which includes a length of cable that runs from the brakes of coach 3413, along the side of the car and into the passenger compartment at the door, all of it appropriately secured to the exterior with 150 MPH rated duct tape.

An overhead shot of the test train just south of Wilmington Station.

Power car 2038 leads on the return trip as it passes Churchman's Crossing.

Heading back to Washington DC, the pantograph on 2016 was down, making it look more like the high-speed jet-powered version proposed by Bombadier, the JetTrain. Wonder what ever happened to JetTrain? Well, after Florida voters overwhelmingly approved the idea of high speed rail in 2000, The Florida High Speed Rail Authority had signed a contract with Fluor and Bombardier to provide the equipment. But in 2004 the voters found out they would also have to pay for it and overwhelmingly repealed the amendment providing the funds.

All pictures May 14 2005 c. 2005 John P. Almeida

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Website created June 12, 2002

Last Updated May 15, 2005