Marc really needs more electric locomotives. They used to have a lot more but got rid of them in favor of diesels. The HHP-8s are currently the only locomotives that can reach 125MPH (marc trains will go that fast with the hippos). Every other locomotive tops off at 90 (including the chargers even though they are rated for 125 because of a PTC issue).
Electric has at least two major disadvantages and that it’s limited to where it can go due to infrastructure and that if the power goes out the railroad grinds to a halt.
yes, but you also need to talk about the issues with Diesel locomotive power as well to consider your point justified. Can't just say "electric has issues" and leave it at that. @@PereMarquette1223
@@PereMarquette1223 The Penn line is fully electrified, so coverage is not an issue. And power failures are nowhere near enough to offset the faster acceleration, higher top speed and lower operating costs of electric locomotives. If you're worried about power failures you can put a battery.
@@OntarioTrafficMan MARC operates in areas that also don’t have catenary, and is talking of expanding into new areas. They simply used the wires because they were already there. At the end of the day Having less locomotives on your roster and standardizing things is more cost efficient. Batteries are expensive and difficult to dispose of when they need to be replaced, not to mention you’d have to design a locomotive to hold one. Battery powered designs trialed on Class 1 locomotives have not yielded any significant benefits in freight service and no electric carriers have tried them specifically for this reason. You are more likely to see Hydrogen technology used next, given its favorable performance so far in test markets and it can be adapted to already existing locomotives and infrastructure.
5:40 that’s a very interesting front appearance on cab car 7846. It doesn’t have ditch lights, but it has a Gyra light I didn’t know Mark had some other cars that don’t have ditch lights. Very interesting correct me if I’m wrong.
