# RAIL 1 01 The P asseng er Car

Harold We isinger Mechanical Engineer Motive Power & Equipment

Division April 2014 Harold We isinger Mechanical Engineer Motive Power & Equipment

Division April 2014

## RAIL 101

The Passenger Car 

## Objective

 Provide an overview of passenger cars in the United States;
 C haracteristics of Intercity and Commuter equipment;
 I nfluences upon interior design.
 Q&A

## RAIL 101

The Passenger Car **Commuter Equipment** Commuter cars are configured for greater capacity than intercity or long distance trains. Commuting times are hopefully less than 1 or 2 hours. Commuter trains generally accelerate and decelerate quicker than long distance trains to accommodate more stops along the route. Doors are configured for quicker loading and unloading of passengers.

## RAIL 101

The Passenger Car **The single -**  **level commuter car wi** **th high and**  **low -**  **level boarding**  This type of car arrangement is used on the Northeast Corridor due to the tighter clearances. The entrance can be from one or multiple doors per side from a high or low - level platform. The car height is 12’6” and can seat up to 1 17 passengers with 2x3 seating.

## RAIL 101

The Passenger Car **The single -**  **level commuter car wi** **th high**  **- level**  **boarding** This type of car arrangement is used on the commuter lines that only use high
– level platforms. Commuter agencies must have a system safety plan to address the evacuation of trains in non - platform areas. Metro North, Long Island RR and Denver RT D use this configuration.

## RAIL 101

The Passenger Car **The multi -**  **level commuter car**  **wi th**  **high -**  **level boarding** 

Stations have limited platform length available for trains. Single level car capacity requires a greater train length than may be available. The multi - level car allows greater capacity with less train length and also economy of operation with less equipment.

## RAIL 101

The Passenger Car **The Bi -**  **level commuter car**  **wi th**  **low -**  **level boarding**  This type of car has been in service since the late 1950’ s. It is often referred to as a “Gallery” car. The entrance can be from one or multiple doors per side from a low - level platform. Height is 16’2” and seating capacity can be up to 182 passengers with 2x2 seating on the lower level and 1x2 seating on the upper level

## RAIL 101

The Passenger Car **The multi -**  **level commuter car**  **wi th**  **high and low** **- level**  **boarding**

This is a NJ Transit multi - level car with high and low
– level boarding. Four side doors for quick loading / un - loading. This car is designed for the tight clearances of the Northeast Corridor

. The 2x2 seating on all levels allow for more seating than a single level car

.

## RAIL 101

The Passenger Car Intercity and Long Distance Trains

Intercity and Long Distance trains can operate from a few hours between cities to 2 or 3 days between dif ferent regions of the country

. The cars are configured for seating comfort, food service, baggage storage and sleeping accommodations. Seating in the revenue cars is typically 2x2.

## RAIL 101

Passenger Train Set **Amtrak Intercity** **- L/D**  **Single Level**  **Car –**  **high and low -**  **level boarding**



### Amfleet II’ s and Vi ewliners operate on overnight trains entering stations (i.e. BOS, NYP , PHL, WUS) with restrictive clearances. Amtrak operates Amfleet II coaches and café cars with Viewliner sleeping cars and Heritage baggage and dining cars.

## RAIL 101

Passenger Train Set **Amtrak Intercity** **- L/D**  **Single Level**  **Car –**  **high and low -**  **level boarding**



### Amfleet I and Horizon coaches and café cars operate on intercity “day” trains typically in a corridor service such as North East Corridor (NEC) or hub service out of Chicago to DET

, MKE, STL. The cars have higher seating capacity than overnight equipment.

## RAIL 101

The Passenger Car Amtrak Intercity bi - level Superliner with low- level boarding



### Superliners operate outside of the Northeast Corridor where there are greater clearances for height. Amtrak operates Superliner coaches, dining cars and sleeping cars.

## RAIL 101

The Passenger Car Amtrak Intercity bi - level Superliner with low- level boarding



### The transition sleeping car (at left) allows passage from a single level car into the upper level Superliner

. Note that the passageways between the Superliners are at the upper level.

## RAIL 101

Passenger Train Set Amtrak Acela Intercity - single level trainset with high - level boarding



### America’ s Hi - Speed train has an active tilt system that leans the train in curves to maintain passenger comfort

at higher curve speeds on the NEC

## RAIL 101

Passenger Train Set Ta lgo Intercity single level trainset with low- level boarding



### The Ta lgo trainset is articulated where each car is semi permanently attached and shares a truck. It has a passive “pendulum” tilt system. Ta lgo trainsets are operated by Amtrak in the Pacific Northwest “Cascades Corridor“ between Eugene, OR. and V ancouver, BC.

## RAIL 101

The Passenger Car **Clearances: How they** **a ffect shape and**  **configuration of the railcar** 

## RAIL 101

The Passenger Car **The loading gauge**  **or clearance defines the**  **maximum height and**  **width for railway vehicles and**  **their loads to ensure**  **safe passage**  **through bridges, tunnels**  **and other structures.** 

## RAIL 101

The Passenger Car **Rail wa** **y clearances**  **in the U.S. are established by**  **the Association**  **of American**  **Railroads**

A comparison between vehicles of the same track gauge (56.5”)

while having dif

ferent exterior dimensions.

## RAIL 101

The Passenger Car The shape of the car can be influenced by how fast the train will go through a curve, how far will it lean at speed.

## RAIL 101

The Passenger Car **Amtrak Intercity** 

**Single Level**  **Car –**  **high and low -**  **level boarding**



### The shape of this cross section allows for more width at shoulder height. The shape also allows the car to lean in curves (the dynamic envelope) without intruding into the space occupied by an adjacent train.

## RAIL 101

The Passenger Car

Amtrak’ s Vi ewliner design takes advantage of clearance available above the high level platform constraints without exceeding the dynamic envelope of the vehicle. **Amtrak Intercity** 

**Single Level**  **Car –**  **high and low -**  **level boarding**

## RAIL 101

The Passenger Car

T he cross section of Amtrak’ s Acela allows the train to actively tilt in the curves for quicker schedules.. **Amtrak Acela**  **– Intercity**  **Single Level**  **Cars –**  **high –** **level boarding**

## RAIL 101

The Passenger Car
Amtrak’ s LDSL

Baggage car interior photo illustrates the shape and space available within the finished car body

. **Amtrak Intercity** 

**Single Level**  **Car –**  **high and low -**  **level boarding**

## RAIL 101

The Passenger Car
Ultimately, the interior shape is determined by the car structure which must meet federal crashworthiness standards as well as APT A industry standards. **Amtrak Intercity** 

**Single Level**  **Car –**  **high and low -**  **level boarding**

## Rail 101

Passenger Operations

• High platforms in the Northeast have been standardized at 48” ATR set 5’ 7” from center line of the track;

• Freight cars are 10’ 8” wide at more than 3’ 4” ATR;

• Not all passenger trains stop at all stations (commuter vs. intercity);

• FRA trying to standardize platforms outside the Northeast at 15” ATR set 5’ 5” from center line;

• Multiple passenger car door threshold heights in US today ;

• Periodic track surfacing/aligning changes relationship between platforms and car door thresholds ;

• Vehicle height can change due to wheel and suspension wear. This can cause variations in loading height. **Page 24** 

## Rail 101

Passenger Operations

**Page 25** 

## RAIL 101

The Passenger Car 

## Summary

• Clearances;

• Speed of operation;

• Vehicle relationship to platform lengths and heights;

• Type of service;

• Type of space needed; • Schedule time for loading and unloading;

• Loading capacity ;
• Structural requirements;

• Accessibility Standards;

• Industry requirements;

• Federal Safety Standards The interior design envelope of the passenger rail car, with many possible configurations , is a result of :

## RAIL 101

The Passenger Car



## Thank you for your time and attention