Acela start date?
MP24.5
Dave,
Unlikely, but there will be at least one, if not two, electrified trains to
Boston each day.
MP24.5
David Bromage wrote in message <9SH%3.88$L%.1434138@news0.optus.net.au>...
>Are Acela services likely to be running by late March?
>
>Cheers
>David
Merritt D. Mullen
dbro...@fang.omni.com.au wrote on 11/26/99 7:03 PM:
> I'll be visiting the US (with others) on a business trip in late March. We
> have to go to both NY and DC, and I've pursuaded the boss that taking the
> train would be better than catching a shuttle flight as we'll be able to
> use laptops all the way. Are Acela services likely to be running by then?
> Not that I see any problems with Metroliners...
>
Acela service (Acela Regional with coach and business class, that is) should
be running by then, with refurbished cars and new amenities (including power
for laptops at each seat). The high-speed Acela Express trains (business
and first class only) will probably not be running yet, but I have heard
that Amtrak intends to make an announcement soon regarding initiation of
Acela Express service (probably with one trainset for starters).
Regarding speed, the run between NY and DC will not change much with the
Acela Express. However, the run between NY and Boston will be much faster
if all goes as planned. Well before the Acela Express service starts, the
electrification to Boston will be complete and the Acela Regional services
will be faster than current services.
Merritt
David Bromage
> Unlikely, but there will be at least one, if not two, electrified trains to
> Boston each day.
Thanks. Might have to add Boston to the trip somehow.... :)
Cheers
David
lwin
> have to go to both NY and DC, and I've pursuaded the boss that taking the
> train would be better than catching a shuttle flight as we'll be able to
> use laptops all the way. Are Acela services likely to be running by then?
> Not that I see any problems with Metroliners...
At this point, I'd say go with the Metroliners as even if Acela is
running then, it might only be a few trial trips.
I've noticed outlets installed on the beltrail on Amfleet cars, I presume
they're for computers.
Ron Goodenow
However, if you are using your laptop I would strongly urge the use of a
surge protector. I've found that on some parts of the line between New
Haven and NYC there are many ons and offs. A helpful Amtrak conductor
gave me the advice, which I follow faithfully. Many passengers don't know
this, but all Amfleet coaches have had power outlets for years.
Merritt D. Mullen
rkg...@mindspring.com wrote on 11/27/99 3:38 PM:
Aren't the power outlets, such as they are, for the car cleaners to plug
their machines into? Anyway, the new ones are supposed to be handy to each
seat.
You need to check your own laptop, but I was under the impression that the
external power line was used only to re-charge the laptop battery, not to
run the laptop directly. If so, external power glitches should not affect
the computer operation, as the computer is running from the clean battery
power.
Merritt
lwin
> However, if you are using your laptop I would strongly urge the use of a
> surge protector. I've found that on some parts of the line between New
> Haven and NYC there are many ons and offs. A helpful Amtrak conductor
> gave me the advice, which I follow faithfully. Many passengers don't know
> this, but all Amfleet coaches have had power outlets for years.
No, the many power outlets at the beltrail level are relatively new.
The trains had far fewer outlets previously.
Your point of using a surge protector is well taken. Ideally, the power
should be fed through the laptop battery, but I don't know how laptop
power supplies are set up. Pantograph bounce and trainline connections
are subject to frequent power "burps". We'd barely notice the interior
lights flickering, but a PC sure would.
Mysterygod
>surge protector. I've found that on some parts of the line between New
>Haven and NYC there are many ons and offs.
Like a bridge in Greenwich, CT, over the Mianus River, that does not have wires
over the actual lift portion of the bridge.
Ken
Ron Goodenow
had wall plugs situated along the side of the cars. Maybe only four or six
per car, but they were there and I found them. The power strips have only
been there a couple of years.
Ron Goodenow
like a charm plugged in.
And, even if what you say is correct, the power charging circuitry is very
susceptible to
power hits and variations, which is one reason why the laptop surge
protector business is
so good. When fully charged, and direct power is coming in, many batteries
are turned off.
David Bromage
reason for going by train. The important reason is that you can use a
laptop on a train all the time. If you fly, you can only use it during
cruise. Using cell phones is also very important.
Cheers
David