The purpose of this specification is
to define the performance and technical requirements for a fleet of new third-generation
bi-level passenger rail cars for use in medium- to long-distance intercity
corridor service in North America. All technical characteristics and
performance parameters for these cars are contained herein, as well as the
design review, inspection, testing and documentation requirements for producing
and supporting these rail cars. This specification has been developed by the
Next Generation Corridor Equipment Pool Committee created to support Section
305 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (PRIIA) Public
Law 110-432. The goal of PRIIA is to create a bi-level intercity corridor car
specification that may be used by any state or agency to procure bi-level
rolling stock for intercity service.
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A lounge car with the galley on the upper level
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A cab control car and locomotive control trainlines for
push-pull service
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The California Car design was advanced to a second
generation with Amtrak’s Surfliner cars, with numerous design changes that
included:
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A toilet room on the upper level
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Convenience outlets at every seat
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Reconfigured cab control layout
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More space for trash and recyclables
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Exterior crew door control switches
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Accessible toilet room adjacent to the ADA-accessible
vestibule
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Checked baggage compartment in the lower level of the cab
car
The PRIIA 305-001/Amtrak 962
specification creates a third-generation of the bi-level intercity car design.
In order to accommodate the needs and requirements of all potential users of
this specification, this document was developed with the following ideologies:
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These cars shall be designed and built for use anywhere in
the United States and Canada where their use may be desired, consistent with
PRIIA bi-level clearance drawing (PRIIA 305-801). (Note this does not include
Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor.)
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All specifications shall reflect operational and
environmental conditions that may be encountered anywhere the cars may operate,
without requiring redesigning or modification. A nationwide perspective was
used when specifying component performance.
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The specification is heavily dependant on accepted industry
standards, which have been referenced herein.
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Functional compatibility with other bi-level car fleets is a
requirement of this specification. Existing bi-level fleets referenced include
Superliners, California Cars and Surfliners.
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The cars as specified will be able to operate as a discreet
fleet, or intermingled with other bi-level intercity cars. Café/lounge galley,
elevator and lounge seating area
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Accessible toilet room
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Cab control compartment
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Side doors
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Enclosed overhead luggage bins
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Wheelchair lift
The mockups will allow the Customer,
and those invited by the Customer, to review the configuration and layout of
the proposed design, to get a feel for the workability, comfort, access and
functionality and to fine-tune the design for maximum benefit.
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The lower level includes an ADA accessible seating area and
toilet room, a workstation for the train crew, and a secure service
vestibule/elevator lobby.
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The café/lounge car only has one staircase, to maximize the
amount of lounge space.
Business class may easily be
developed and implemented on these cars through the use of a modular business
class service station that bolts into existing seat and wall tracks.
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The business class service station includes a small
refrigerator, storage for two service carts [stocked and supplied by the Lead
Service Attendant (LSA)], a holder for a coffee urn (brewed in the café-lounge
car and brought to business class by the LSA) plus counter space for newspapers
and breakfast foods, and trash and recycling receptacles.
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This modular design allows flexibility as to the location of
the business class section - it may be located in a coach or cab/baggage car,
or in the revenue end of the café-lounge car.
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Seat pitch may be adjusted due to the seat mounting in wall
and floor tracks, and overhead reading lights are mounted in adjustable-pitch
units on the underside of the overhead luggage bins.
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The business class section is easily redeployed to other
cars if necessary, including addition to existing cars in bi-level fleets.
Where there is a Business Class it will be on both upper and lower levels.
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All cars feature twin bi-parting side entry doors on the
lower level, and sliding pocket doors on the upper level at the end
passageways.
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Side doors throughout the train can be controlled from any
door control station located on the same side of the car as the door control
station, and can also be trainlined or opened individually.
