Wow. Just flipped through the pdf file.

I am speechless.

Has anyone at the TSA got a clue?

Have they actually talked to Amtrak or did they hold a budgetary gun to their head?

Have they asked the folks in Spain or France as to how they have handled the threat to rail (Madrid was not the first train bomb folks!)

But the on-board inspection on the Shoreline East train is a joke!

First, let me say that I am glad to see the Piece Of S*** "SPV2000" getting renovated. Notice that these "self-propelled diesel" cars are still being pulled by a locomotive. They never ever really worked as promised.

Notice that ConnDOT has no proper shop to renovate and install the equipment. Using a fork-lift. What a sad state.

Next, I love the railings. God help the passengers and screeners in an emergency stop. The rest of the train should be fine, but they will be seriously injured by the blunt surfaces, if not impaled. How did the FRA sign off on those?

I'd also like to see what these sniffer and x-ray machines will look like when the train stops and they keep going. Look at page 50; are the sniffers just sitting there relying on their rubber feet alone to avoid slipping away?? It says that the tables are bolted, but are the machines bolted to the tables and can they hold to the floor in a stop at such a height? I don't want to see the poor soul who will end up in between the machines and the vestibule wall.

And then are we going to have one of these cars on every train? Most trains are just 5-6 cars to start. Gonna add an extra car, which may mean the need for an extra loco, and all that TSA staff to every intercity and commuter train that operates in America?

I'm always glad to see some machinists and welders getting some work, but did anyone at the top think this one through??

And finally, is there really only so few suppliers of the required equipment? What fun those bidding sessions must be!