AboutChris Holliday Expertise Questions related to contemporary passenger rail vehicles and their technology, including subway, light rail, commuter and intercity rolling stock. Includes all vehicle systems and features along with integration of the vehicles into the general railroad system.
Experience I have over 22 years of experience in the passenger rail vehicle business as both an engineering manager at a car builder and as a provider of engineering services to commuter railroads and transit agencies in the US. I have worked to apply the latest technologies to passanger rail equipment. I have worked with leaders in our industry to develop and establish Standards and Recommended practices.
Expert: Chris Holliday Date: 5/30/2007 Subject: Amtrak Question, etc
Question I have a couple questions. Where does Amtrak dispatch their trains from? Also, what other Class I freight rail lines are there besides UP, BNSF, NS, CSX, and, if it's considered, KC Southern? Am I missing anyone there? Thanks!
Answer Thanks for your question!
I am familiar with Amtrak dispatching in the Northeast Corridor (NEC). For the main "spine" of the NEC, trains running between Boston to New Rochelle NY are dispatched from Boston. From New Rochelle, NY to Union, NJ trains are dispatched from NY City. From Union, NJ south to Washington, DC, the trains are dispatched from Philadelphia 30th St. Interestingly, Amtrak trains operating between Philadelphia 30th St. and Harrisburg are dispatched the same way they have been for the last 100+ years, using a system of manned towers at intervals along the railroad who communicate with each other, keep paper records and throw interlocking switches from these towers. The only real difference is the improvement in human communications between towers, with an upgrade from telegraph to telephone and E-mail!
The seven current Class 1 Railroads are: BNSF, CSX, Grand Trunk/CN, Kansas City Southern, Norfolk Southern, SOO Line and Union Pacific.
