Glad I No Longer Have the SEPTA Commute

[Blazeman]

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/mechanical/news/SEPTA-pulls-120-rail-cars-from-service-due-to-structural-defect--48698?

Won't be too bad this week with a lot of places closed and people on vacation. Getting those cars in place was like pulling teeth. Delay after delay. Made overseas, shipped here to assemble. Other US-made components specked in.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Seriously. That's a big "oh *****" on SEPTA's part.

But, what can you expect when you MUST go with the lowest bidder, and then slap all sorts of additional requirements on top?

[conrail98]

I'm dealing with this with employees at work. I basically told them they have a week to figure out their options and adapt. I had to change my commuting habits when PATCO took out the one track over the Ben Franklin Bridge, they can figure out what they need to do to get into work in a reasonable time,

Phil

[Lenny53]

"The defect doesn't likely pose a safety risk" such a reassuring non-denial denial 

[Dave V]

According to Bill Volkmer, Pennsy used to "fix" frame cracks in the P5a fleet by constantly painting over them.  This is why the chassis on the P5a fleet usually looked clean even when the body was filthy.

[Missaberoad]

According to Bill Volkmer, Pennsy used to "fix" frame cracks in the P5a fleet by constantly painting over them.  This is why the chassis on the P5a fleet usually looked clean even when the body was filthy.

Milwaukee Road did that aswell towards the end... When Soo bought them in '85 they swapped 6 or 8 SD40-2's to symbolically consummate the deal. at least 4 of the Milwaukee units were sidelined on inspection due to cracked frames, all hidden under fresh paint...   

[trainforfun]

Seriously. That's a big "oh *****" on SEPTA's part.

But, what can you expect when you MUST go with the lowest bidder, and then slap all sorts of additional requirements on top?

I remember John Glenn saying something like that waiting on the launch pad in his capsule !!!

[Missaberoad]

I remember John Glenn saying something like that waiting on the launch pad in his capsule !!!

One of my favorite quotes

"As I hurtled through space, one thought kept crossing my mind - every part of this rocket was supplied by the lowest bidder."

[eric220]

I remember John Glenn saying something like that waiting on the launch pad in his capsule !!!

I believe you're thinking of Alan Shephard's prayer.

[trainforfun]

I believe you're thinking of Alan Shephard's prayer.

Could be him too !
I guess this is pretty much what they were all thinking before launch !

[eric220]

John Glenn's quote was as he was riding uphill the thought occurred that the rocket he was riding on was built by the lowest bidder.

[Missaberoad]

John Glenn's quote was as he was riding uphill the thought occurred that the rocket he was riding on was built by the lowest bidder.

Yes it was... as I said lol 

One of my favorite quotes

"As I hurtled through space, one thought kept crossing my mind - every part of this rocket was supplied by the lowest bidder."

[eric220]

Yeah OK, so I suffered a major rectal-cranial inversion there! 

Derp...

It's been a long day.

[Bob Bufkin]

Someone did one of those Hitler parodies on this but I can't find it now.  Was funny.

[Blazeman]

SEPTA running 8 car trains. With only end doors and most stations with low level platforms, car crammed with people including full aisles makes boarding and off-loading extra long resulting in trains running late on already padded schedules.