choochooloco
Charged Out
As we approached the outer limits of the Chicago Terminal, near Gary, trains were beginning to pile up. This is actually quite normal, but there was chatter on the radio hinting to a train ahead experiencing trouble.
The railroads changed to narrow band radio communication a few years back. This system makes it extremely difficult to hear a locomotive radio from more than ten miles away. If a portable radio is being used, then the limit seems to be around three miles.
While the dispatcher flushed out the normal rush of evening eastbound intermodals, those of us on westbounds suffered a very slow roll into town. Every mile of progress, though, made it a tad easier to catch bits and pieces of the conversation ahead.
Just prior to leaving the mainline and changing over to the yard radio channel, I learned that the train in question was Amtrak's Capitol Limited. It was stopped east of the detector a mile or so south of the White Sox stadium.
On the following day, we departed Englewood and began our journey to Toledo. The progression of signals ahead meant a stop at the Calumet River bridge for a lake freighter to pass through.
Once stopped at the signal, I opened the door and was surprised to find sparkling Charger 361 tied down on a yard lead. With no apparent fuel, oil, or water leaks, I assumed she had an issue somewhere within.
After kicking over a few stones, I learned that the Capitol tripped the detector at MP518 for a wheel defect. The culprit? Non other than the brand new 361! So new that the wheel sets were still shiny. Not a speck of dirt or dust to be found.
The crew was instructed to limp the unit down to CP 509 where it could be set out. The defect was rumored to be an issue with one of the axles.
Lucky for the passengers on #30, the 361 was not sole power for the train. She was trailing a Genesis unit. After a hefty delay, the train continued east.
This is not the first time that I had seen or heard of a Charger no longer being able to charge ahead. It sounds like the model's reliability percentage is more favorable now than when first delivered. Good news as Amtrak has enough troubles!
Charged Out.
Charged Out
As we approached the outer limits of the Chicago Terminal, near Gary, trains were beginning to pile up. This is actually quite normal, but there was chatter on the radio hinting to a train ahead experiencing trouble.
The railroads changed to narrow band radio communication a few years back. This system makes it extremely difficult to hear a locomotive radio from more than ten miles away. If a portable radio is being used, then the limit seems to be around three miles.
While the dispatcher flushed out the normal rush of evening eastbound intermodals, those of us on westbounds suffered a very slow roll into town. Every mile of progress, though, made it a tad easier to catch bits and pieces of the conversation ahead.
Just prior to leaving the mainline and changing over to the yard radio channel, I learned that the train in question was Amtrak's Capitol Limited. It was stopped east of the detector a mile or so south of the White Sox stadium.
On the following day, we departed Englewood and began our journey to Toledo. The progression of signals ahead meant a stop at the Calumet River bridge for a lake freighter to pass through.
Once stopped at the signal, I opened the door and was surprised to find sparkling Charger 361 tied down on a yard lead. With no apparent fuel, oil, or water leaks, I assumed she had an issue somewhere within.
After kicking over a few stones, I learned that the Capitol tripped the detector at MP518 for a wheel defect. The culprit? Non other than the brand new 361! So new that the wheel sets were still shiny. Not a speck of dirt or dust to be found.
The crew was instructed to limp the unit down to CP 509 where it could be set out. The defect was rumored to be an issue with one of the axles.
Lucky for the passengers on #30, the 361 was not sole power for the train. She was trailing a Genesis unit. After a hefty delay, the train continued east.
This is not the first time that I had seen or heard of a Charger no longer being able to charge ahead. It sounds like the model's reliability percentage is more favorable now than when first delivered. Good news as Amtrak has enough troubles!
Charged Out.