Acela vs. Deer [Oct 22]
Oct 7, 2022, 8:40 am
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,249
Acela vs. Deer [Oct 22]
I'm on 2151 this morning, the 9:00am NYP-WAS Acela. We boarded the train just before 9:00am. but then were told that we would be slightly delated because 2151 inbound from BOS was late and that train would be taken out of service. The inbound arrived around 9:05am, passengers from the BOS train who were continuing southbound transferred to our train, and we departed about 15 minutes late.
So just out of curiosity, I asked the cafe car attendant, who had been on the BOS train, what had happed. He told me that they had hit a deer, causing some of the airbags to deploy, which required taking the train out of service. I feel bad for the deer, but also am really glad that they had an extra train sitting around NYP so that we we're only about 15 minutes late!
So just out of curiosity, I asked the cafe car attendant, who had been on the BOS train, what had happed. He told me that they had hit a deer, causing some of the airbags to deploy, which required taking the train out of service. I feel bad for the deer, but also am really glad that they had an extra train sitting around NYP so that we we're only about 15 minutes late!
Last edited by Long Train Runnin; Oct 7, 2022 at 10:22 pm Reason: Fixed thread title
Oct 7, 2022, 8:49 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,601
Yes, having backup equipment is always helpful. Here's an old post of mine illustrating what can happen when there is no backup:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/5620291-post9.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/5620291-post9.html
Oct 7, 2022, 5:58 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Washington DC
Posts: 1,358
I'm on 2151 this morning, the 9:00am NYP-WAS Acela. We boarded the train just before 9:00am. but then were told that we would be slightly delated because 2151 inbound from BOS was late and that train would be taken out of service. The inbound arrived around 9:05am, passengers from the BOS train who were continuing southbound transferred to our train, and we departed about 15 minutes late.
So just out of curiosity, I asked the cafe car attendant, who had been on the BOS train, what had happed. He told me that they had hit a deer, causing some of the airbags to deploy, which required taking the train out of service. I feel bad for the deer, but also am really glad that they had an extra train sitting around NYP so that we we're only about 15 minutes late!
So just out of curiosity, I asked the cafe car attendant, who had been on the BOS train, what had happed. He told me that they had hit a deer, causing some of the airbags to deploy, which required taking the train out of service. I feel bad for the deer, but also am really glad that they had an extra train sitting around NYP so that we we're only about 15 minutes late!
Oct 8, 2022, 12:29 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,249
Oct 8, 2022, 5:39 pm
#5
Moderator, Amtrak & Spirit Airlines
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: EWR :rolleyes:
Programs: AC 50K, AS MVP, AA Plat Pro, DL Plat, UA Silver, IHG Spire, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 9,631
The only thing I can think of is that it messed up the air bags in the tilting mechanism that let's them take curves at higher speeds.
I have been up front at the operators controls of an Acela. I can assure there are no airbags there.
I have been up front at the operators controls of an Acela. I can assure there are no airbags there.
Oct 11, 2022, 7:15 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: B6, Amtrak, DL, AA, Marriott, Hilton
Posts: 274
Most passenger railcars use air suspensions - they use heavy duty airbags in place of some conventional springs for better ride quality, stabilization, etc. If some of the airbags rupture, it's still safe to move the equipment, but will have to be at reduced speed due to the altered ride characteristics.
Oct 12, 2022, 11:47 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: n.y.c.
Posts: 13,988
I was on the CA Zephyr once in late December and somewhere in Iowa the train suddenly came to a halt after hitting a deer. I think they had to stop for 5 minutes for a quick inspection (of the train, not the deer) and then it was back on the road again.
Oct 12, 2022, 7:56 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Sherman Oaks, CA
Programs: Ozark Go-Getters Gold, Statler Star Silver, others from a variety of alternate timelines
Posts: 843
And then they announced the dinner special was venison stew.