Its nice to see that more North American transit agencies like Coaster take an interest in these Bilevels. I live in Toronto Ontario. And Go transit has these operating in regular service. Apart from Go. I think Sounder up in Seattle also owns and operates a fleet of these Bilevels. There may be other transit agencies across North America that owns and operates them. Those were the only two that came to my mind.
The BiLevels have proven to be very durable for NCTD Coaster, Metrolink, Caltrain, and ACE. We are interested to see how the Series X handle especially in comparison to the old riveted paneled cars that are due for refurbishment. 👍🏽👍🏽
Great video, James. I'm going to be heading to San Diego this summer for a rugby match and I certainly also look forward to possibly getting a Coaster CEM. In addition aside from the Montana Rail Link, I can see you also got ES44C4 8191. I pointed it out because 8191 was another one of the GEVO's involved in the Panhandle, Texas train collision.
NCTD Coaster started crew familiarization, commissioning, verification of functionality between the vintage rivet-paneled and Series X rolling stock, PTC testing north of Stuart Mesa and also south down to San Diego more than two months ago. Barring an unexpected turn of events, they should enter revenue service this summer.
I passed by the coaster yard yesterday and saw 2305 missing its door and mirrors apparently it’s having brake issues and might be converted into a coach car I hope that’s not the case
The DASH 8 led from Los Angeles Union to Santa Fe Depot in metropolitan San Diego, and then pushed the return trip back to Los Angeles when it returned to yard duty.
Still don't understand the weird numbering system. Why are cab cars in the 400 series instead of continuing the 2300 series? And why a 5 digit fleet numbering for the cars.?
@blose774: My understanding is that the three CEM cab cars will not preclude use of older cab cars to pilot a train. NCTD typically utilizes a total of five consists on a typical weekday. Using the current schedule, they would need to procure at least two (preferably three) more CEM cab cars to relegate the old cab cars to coach use only. 👍🏽👍🏽
Given that they’re overhauling all the old cab cars to extend their service lives, I don’t see why they would choose to purchase any more CEM cab cars. I was under the impression that these are for service expansion and state-of-good-repair needs, correct? Unless they seek to retire the old cab cars which are currently in poor condition.
@2307_railfanning: We have been informally told by NCTD personnel that the wrapped riveted panel cab cars (2301 and 2302) are antiquated with modern cab car upgrades deemed cost prohibitive. Not sure if these two cab cars will eventually be converted into coaches, sold to another railroad, or scrapped.
@@jamesreillytrains It was my understanding that 2301-2308 are all of the same generation. Now that 2304, 2306, 2309, and 2310 have been overhauled, I’d expect that they would retain their driving controls and continue use as cabs for the foreseeable future (although 2310’s future viability is questionable). 2302 is currently stored with 2310 and 2307 (which is likely to go into overhaul soon as far as I’m aware). Perhaps it will be the first of the old cab cars to be decommissioned.
@@2307_railfanning: Not sure if 2301 being re-wrapped (instead of repainted) is any indication of their long term plans for that cab car. Hopefully 2301 and 2302 continue as part of the roster for years to follow. 👍🏽👍🏽
NCTD received their third and final Series X BiLevel cab car for this order. An option for additional cab cars has not been exercised to my knowledge at this time. The current schedule for weekdays required five consists, thus we will continue to see the old riveted panel cab cars with the optional conductor’s window for some time to come. 👍🏽😃
Its nice to see that more North American transit agencies like Coaster take an interest in these Bilevels. I live in Toronto Ontario. And Go transit has these operating in regular service. Apart from Go. I think Sounder up in Seattle also owns and operates a fleet of these Bilevels. There may be other transit agencies across North America that owns and operates them. Those were the only two that came to my mind.
The BiLevels have proven to be very durable for NCTD Coaster, Metrolink, Caltrain, and ACE. We are interested to see how the Series X handle especially in comparison to the old riveted paneled cars that are due for refurbishment. 👍🏽👍🏽
Great video, James. I'm going to be heading to San Diego this summer for a rugby match and I certainly also look forward to possibly getting a Coaster CEM. In addition aside from the Montana Rail Link, I can see you also got ES44C4 8191. I pointed it out because 8191 was another one of the GEVO's involved in the Panhandle, Texas train collision.
The San Diego Legion play at Snapdragon Stadium which is a great venue to watch a rugby match. 👍🏽
I hope that Alstom continues the production of these now that they've taken over Bombardier
When Will The Coaster Series X Coaches Enter Service?
NCTD Coaster started crew familiarization, commissioning, verification of functionality between the vintage rivet-paneled and Series X rolling stock, PTC testing north of Stuart Mesa and also south down to San Diego more than two months ago. Barring an unexpected turn of events, they should enter revenue service this summer.
I believe this is the second commuter train to use these cars here in california
I passed by the coaster yard yesterday and saw 2305 missing its door and mirrors apparently it’s having brake issues and might be converted into a coach car I hope that’s not the case
Good intel. We are in full concurrence. 👍🏽👍🏽
Good intel. We are in full concurrence. 👍🏽👍🏽
How long will the dash 8 lead
The DASH 8 led from Los Angeles Union to Santa Fe Depot in metropolitan San Diego, and then pushed the return trip back to Los Angeles when it returned to yard duty.
Where Is that coaster livery bridge? never seen! great captures bro.
Two bridges were utilized. The Harbor Drive Bridge and also the Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge that connects the Hilton Bayfront with Petco Park. 👍🏽👍🏽
Still don't understand the weird numbering system. Why are cab cars in the 400 series instead of continuing the 2300 series? And why a 5 digit fleet numbering for the cars.?
Agreed. Not sure regarding NCTD’s rationale.
2305s door is on 2304 because 2304s door was dented in a pedestrian strike
I believe that the new coaster cars are called cem cars.What I am not sure on is will the new ones fully take over the old cabcars?
@blose774: My understanding is that the three CEM cab cars will not preclude use of older cab cars to pilot a train. NCTD typically utilizes a total of five consists on a typical weekday. Using the current schedule, they would need to procure at least two (preferably three) more CEM cab cars to relegate the old cab cars to coach use only. 👍🏽👍🏽
Given that they’re overhauling all the old cab cars to extend their service lives, I don’t see why they would choose to purchase any more CEM cab cars. I was under the impression that these are for service expansion and state-of-good-repair needs, correct? Unless they seek to retire the old cab cars which are currently in poor condition.
@2307_railfanning: We have been informally told by NCTD personnel that the wrapped riveted panel cab cars (2301 and 2302) are antiquated with modern cab car upgrades deemed cost prohibitive. Not sure if these two cab cars will eventually be converted into coaches, sold to another railroad, or scrapped.
@@jamesreillytrains It was my understanding that 2301-2308 are all of the same generation. Now that 2304, 2306, 2309, and 2310 have been overhauled, I’d expect that they would retain their driving controls and continue use as cabs for the foreseeable future (although 2310’s future viability is questionable). 2302 is currently stored with 2310 and 2307 (which is likely to go into overhaul soon as far as I’m aware). Perhaps it will be the first of the old cab cars to be decommissioned.
@@2307_railfanning: Not sure if 2301 being re-wrapped (instead of repainted) is any indication of their long term plans for that cab car. Hopefully 2301 and 2302 continue as part of the roster for years to follow. 👍🏽👍🏽
Nowadays Bombardier is owned by Alstom and they refused to let these cab cars have their horns interchangeable
They ordered more OH? NOOOOOOO
NCTD received their third and final Series X BiLevel cab car for this order. An option for additional cab cars has not been exercised to my knowledge at this time. The current schedule for weekdays required five consists, thus we will continue to see the old riveted panel cab cars with the optional conductor’s window for some time to come. 👍🏽😃
@@jamesreillytrains People call them ugly but nothing can replace the look of the old cabs, love em to death!