Quote:
Originally Posted by Nexis4Jersey
Services like the Vermonter , Ethan Allen , Downeaster could be DMUs...
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DMUs vs traditional locomotive and coach cars have a break even point where its cheaper to run one vs the other. TRE ran RDCs and F59 with Bombardier BiLevel trains for over a decade. They found it cheaper overall to run 4 RDCs than run a F59 and 3 BiLevels - but more expensive to run 5 RDCs vs a F59 and 4 BiLevels. The breakeven point was at 4 cars. Modern DMUs will probably change that formula somewhat, but there will still be a break even point.
I believe there are just a few Amtrak daily or multiple day trains that are less than 4 cars in length where DMUs would have a financial advantage. The Heartland Flyer is amongst them, the usual consist being three Superliner coaches pushed or pulled by a P42 locomotive - sometimes two locomotives.
Another consideration to take into account is the ability to turn the train around at both train termini. Trains that run with cabs on both ends of the train will benefit with DMUs having cabs on both ends of the train.