California State Rail Plan 2007-08 to 2017-18

2007-08 – 2017-18 California State Rail PlanFunding for the overhaul program varies by budget year based on the specificoverhauls planned for that particular budget year. The overhaul program has beenfunded through PTA funds appropriated each year by the Budget Act. Article XIXof the State Constitution prohibits the use of SHA funds for mass transit vehicleacquisition or maintenance. Thus, SHA funds cannot be used for the overhaulprogram, nor is there any dedicated funding source for the overhaul work neededin the future as the equipment ages.In 2003-04, the Department contracted for the mid-life (eight-year) overhaul of theoriginal 66 California Cars. Design, engineering and the completion of theoverhaul and testing of the four pilot (prototype) cars (cab, coach, foodservice andbaggage) was completed in 2004-05, and overhauls of the remainder of the fleetwill be completed by December 2007. This overhaul cycle includes manymechanical components; heavy cleaning of vehicle interior including upholsteryand carpets; rebuilding and new flooring in toilet rooms; new side door and enddoor operating systems; 110 volt convenience outlets at every seat; as well asother additions and improvements to the cars. The Department oversees andinspects the contractor’s overhaul work. In future years, the newer 22 cars (12 inthe Northern California fleet and ten in the Southern California fleet) will needtheir mid-life overhaul as will the remaining eight locomotives.The Department also has an overhaul program for its 17 locomotives (15 GM F59and two GE Dash-8) which includes improving locomotive fuel efficiency andemission reduction. The Environmental Protection Agency instituted emissionrequirements for diesel locomotives in 2001. ll locomotives purchased afterJanuary 1, 2001 must meet Tier 0 emission requirements. The next set ofstandards, called Tier 1, took effect on January 1, 2004. t requires passengerlocomotives purchase after that date emit 25 percent less nitrogen oxides (NOx)and 33 percent less particulates than previously allowed. Tier 2 standards, whichtook effect January 1, 2005, required that passenger locomotives purchased afterthat date emit 35 percent less NOx and less than half the particulates thanpreviously allowed.In early 2004, the Department completed the mid-life overhaul of the nine originalF59PHI locomotives acquired in 1994-95, which met Tier 1 standards whenpurchased. This project improved both the reliability and appearance of thelocomotives, with graphics that match the new F59PHIs. Also, the remotelocomotive health monitoring system currently in place on the six new F59PHIlocomotives was installed on the nine locomotives in 2003-04.The two GE locomotives will be overhauled in early 2008 at which time they willbe brought up to Tier 0 standards. All 15 F59 locomotives will receive Tier 2engine kits for the main engines at their next overhaul. Overhauls are scheduled tobegin during the summer of 2008.32