SECTION 305 NGEC Executive Board

Minutes

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August 2, 2016
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11:30Eastern
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conference call
Facilitator / Eric Curtit,Chair, S305 NGEC Executive Board
Attendees / Board Members:Eric Curtit, Eric Curtit also as proxy for Brian Beeler II, Dale Engelhardt for Mario Bergeron and Darrell Smith, Michael Lestingi, Ray Hessinger, Amanda Martin, Arun Rao, John Oimoen, Jonathan Dees for Paul Worley, Jason Biggs for Ron Pate, Bruce Roberts, Tim Hoeffner, Michael Jenkins, Support Staff:Bryan Hong, Steve Hewitt, Jeff Gordon, Lynn Everett, Sal DeAngelo, Larry Salci
absentees / Board Members: Mario Bergeron, Darrell Smith, Ron Pate,Paul Worley, John Rosacker, Brian Beeler II,Support:Beth Nachreiner, Vincent Brotski, Allan Paul, Shayne Gill, Tammy Krause, Patrick Centolanzi, Nico Lindenau

Decisions made

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1.
Welcome –Eric Curtit, Chair, S305 NGEC Executive Board:
Chairman Curtitopened today’s meeting andaskedSteve Hewitt to call the roll.
2.
–Roll Call –Steve Hewitt, Manager, S305 NGEC Support Services:
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–Steve Hewittcalled the roll and confirmed the presence of a quorum.
3.
Review of Action Items – Steve Hewitt:
All of the action items were to be covered under today’s agenda, but a status,as of the start of today’s call,is noted below for the record.
Action Items Status Update
Mid-West States – Section 6 progress report: Lease and operating agreements between the states and Amtrak Mechanical are being finalized. The states have a fully executed ownership agreement in place. Fleet management procurement is progressing well.
Agenda item 5
514 Subcommittee update: No report provided on 7-19-16.
Agenda item 8
Two page educational/outreach document: It was agreed on today’s call that the Charger Locomotive picture should be changed from a rendering to an actual photo, and that there should be two pictures rather than the same one on both pages. There are many pictures to be found now, even on the internet. The Union flag, as pointed out by Mario Bergeron, is backwards – it should be facing the movement of travel and be on the other side. This is likely an add on in the rendering and an actual picture would correct that.
There were no other comments or recommended changes. Steve Hewitt will inform Eric of the discussion and ask that his graphics artist revise accordingly. Once complete, the DRAFT will be circulated again for final Board approval.
Once approved, Steve will provide AASHTO with the number of copies to be made and where they should be sent.
Agenda item 11
Responding to VIA Rail’s request to use PRIIA Specifications: The Executive Board has (today) approved the DRAFT letter prepared by Steve Hewitt, through the FASC and it will be finalized for Eric Curtit’s signature, and sent on to VIA Rail (Robert Becker). The letter encourages VIA Rail to reference the PRIIA Specifications as it creates a performance spec with a goal of improving interoperability. VIA Rail, through the letter, will be invited to join the Technical subcommittee as industry participants.
Once the Bi-Level Car Revision C.4 has been adopted and the Technical subcommittee working groups begin their updates to the Single Level specifications – Steve Hewitt will follow up with VIA Rail on the invitation to join the NGEC industry participants group.
(ongoing)
Timeline: Review of the Bi-Level Car Specification C.4 proposed changes: Larry Salci has completed the review of Bi-Level Specification Revision C.4 and has prepared a draft report with recommendations. The report was approved by the Review Panel on 7-21-16 and submitted to Board members for review.
Agenda items 9 and 10
4.
Approval of the Minutes from the 7-19-16conference call meeting – Eric Curtit:
On a motion made by Arun Rao, Wisconsin DOT, and seconded by John Oimoen, IDOT,the minutes from the 7-19-16conference call meeting were approved without exception.
5.
Progress Report: Mid-West States –Tim Hoeffner, Michigan DOT:
Tim Hoeffner provided the following update:
The Mid-West states are working on a review of the By-Laws and contract modifications in order to move forward.
IDOT continues to work on the Fleet Management Procurement.
The states continue to work with Amtrak on the equipment maintenance agreement.
6.
Status Update: Diesel-Electric Locomotive Procurement – John Oimoen, IDOT
John Oimoen provided the following update prepared by IDOT for inclusion in today’s minutes:
· JPEs continue to receive Siemens’ weekly revised schedule and conduct weekly conference calls. The main basis for revised weekly schedules reflects on-going testing up-dates.
·The first two pilot locomotives were being at TTCI for vehicle/track dynamic interaction. The tests are concluded with successful results.
· The locomotives were also tested for AAR Chapter XI track interaction protocol. The tests are concluded with successful results.
·JPEs hope for Siemens to test PTC, while at Pueblo. Legal issues for one-day use of the Data Radio and the communications software (the “Image”) continue to be a difficulty. Assistance from Amtrak is needed to facilitate use of the “Image” for this one-day test in Pueblo.
·The four MARC cars have arrived at TTCI for locomotive propulsion tests. Initial tests up to 130 mph have been successfully completed.
· The monthly QA meeting was held July 6 at Siemens factory. The next meeting is scheduled for August 10.
·All fifteen (15 ea.) DCRs will be processed by the re-established locomotive working group. Rich Stegner will distribute to the locomotive sub-team leaders this week.
· The test plan for 125 mph testing on the North East Corridor was approved by FRA, as submitted by (Maryland MARC Train Service) MARC. MARC/Amtrak are reported processing the test agreement.
· Siemens targets shipping locomotive #4 to Baltimore, next Friday 8/5.
·Each JPE are working out details for pre-revenue test plans, with Amtrak.
·Follow up Technical Advisory Groups (TAG) continue working on an on-going basis for the action items from the AAR Standard vehicle qualification testing and acceptance.
· The locomotive weight was reported in June 2016, at 270,725 lbs (+/-). Based on actual component weights, the locomotive weight has varied little in the last six months. The calculated P2 force is within specified limits.
Eric Curtit thanked John Oimoen for the “good news” and added “we all appreciate it.”
7.
Status Update: Bi-Level Car Procurement –Bruce Roberts, Caltrans:
Bruce Roberts provided a brief update on the status of the Bi-Level Procurement, and noted that there were formal notes as well (reprinted below in italics from the 7-28-16 Technical subcommittee call:
Bruce expressed thanks to IDOT, the Mid-West states, and the FRA who are all working hard with the vendor to address issues related to, not only the carshell redesign, but also those related to funding. At this point it seems that all parties have come to a meeting of the minds on a way to fully fund and deliver the base order. Even with the issues related to ARRA funding deadlines. An amendment is in process with Caltrans, IDOT and all relevant parties.
Bruce also pointed out that the internal schedule for delivery of the carshell redesign has not changed over the last 6 months – which is a very positive sign – and model 2C is progressing well.
Final Design Review is anticipated to take place in January of 2017 – with a pre-meeting expected to take place in October of this year.
There has been “lots of static and fatigue review” and it looks like the redesign of the carshell will be compliant with all necessary forces.
There is a team in Sacramento this week looking at project management issues and production schedule as well as elements of open items with regard to weight issues. The weight continues to be “slightly heavy” at about 1000lbs over.
Bruce added that the Nippon Sharyo team has been “focused and intense”. As a result, the redesign seems to ”be a good model, a good design.”
FAIs –Truck Assembly FAI took place on July 12 in Rochelle. Our Subject Matter Expert reported that it was an excellent FAI with no open issues. The upcoming FAIs are for passenger seat and table, food service cars and ATR/UTR in fall 2016.
Carshell –We continue to have regular updates from NS to review the progress of the design issues and the schedule for the design activities. The last update meeting was July 25, Monday. Carshell design activities are now proceeding in accordance with the schedule requirements of the supplemental design review in 2017. A number of design refinements have been incorporated into the structure and the Method 2C model has been created. All load cases have been run on this model and the analysis of the results is underway. Any further refinements will be added to Method 2D, which is the final standard model. Briefings were provided on a number of the design updates such as material changes, plate thickness increases and additional webs.
Testing –The seat/table dynamic tests took place on June 30 & July 1. While some tests were successfully completed, there are still a few open items that need to be discussed and worked out between Caltrans, NS, and Kustom Seating. We are hoping to resolve all issues by fall. We will schedule seat and table FAI after all issues have been closed.
Misc. – Program Management Plan Audit took place on July 13. Nippon Sharyo (NS) was well prepared. We spent a lot of time on risk management. We were able to close about half the audit items based on the evidence that NS presented during the audit. NS agreed to revise the plan by the end of August to close the rest of the open items. The QA meeting, which took place on July 14, also went well. NS was the most prepared that they have ever been. Overall, they have made good progress since our last meeting, and were able to present quite a bit of quality data from the pilot car build. The next QA date was set for October 6. At that time, we will do another CDRL Element Audit. Our Quality system records audit went well with a minimal number of minor findings.
8.
Status Update – 514 Subcommittee – Eric Curtit for Brian Beeler II, NNEPRA/Maine DOT:
Brian Beeler was unavailable for today’s call, but provided the following report for inclusion in today’s minutes:
The 514 Equipment Capital subcommittee has distributed the updated draft of the 2017-2021 CIP. This CIP is a minor update which focuses on Amtrak updating the equipment overhaul tables for the upcoming 5-year period. At the next meeting of the 514 group on August 8th, we will be discussing the draft and identifying the next steps and timeline for the acceptance of the CIP by the NGEC Executive Board and then presentation to the SAIPRC Board. Thank-you to all members of the 514 subcommittee for the effort that has gone into this update and specifically to Darrell Smith for putting together this draft.
Eric Curtit asked Dale Engelhardt to express the subcommittee’s appreciation to Darrell Smith for his hard work in completing the DRAFT CIP.
9.
Summary Overview – Bi-Level Specification Revision C.4 Review Panel Report – Larry Salci:
Review Panel consultant, Larry Salci provided an overview of the report approved on 7-21-16 by the Bi-Level Car Review Panel, along with a recommendation that the Executive Board adopt Revision C.4.
Larry thanked Revision Control Coordinator Tammy Krause, Amtrak, for her work on coordinating the review and approval of the DCRs contained in Revision C.4. Revision C.4 was previously approved by the Technical subcommittee and forwarded to the Executive Board, which in turn, per NGEC process, sent it to the Review Panel for its review and a request for a recommendation.
In his review today, Larry noted a sentence had dropped out in the final report within DCR 229, and he will add it back in (does not change anything in the report, but completes the thought).
Ray Hessinger, NYSDOT, pointed out missing language in a sentence within DCR 230 on page 13. Larry accepted Ray’s language clarification and agreed to add it in.
10.
Consideration of adoption of Bi-Level Car Technical Specification Revision C.4 as recommended by the Review Panel in its report to the Executive Board– Eric Curtit:
A motion to adopt C.4 as recommended by the Review Panel, with a sentence, as noted by Larry Salci, to be added in DCR 229, and with amended language on page 13 - DCR 230 – as suggested by Ray Hessinger, was offered by Michael Jenkins, Oregon DOT, and was seconded by Michael Lestingi, FRA.
With no other discussion, other than Ray Hessinger asking Steve Hewitt to be sure the motion includes the two sentence changes to be made (as noted above), Chairman Curtit called for a polling of the voting members present:
Eric Curtit, Missouri DOT - aye
Eric Curtit for Brian Beeler for Maine DOT - aye
Dale Engelhardt for Mario Bergeron and Darrel Smith, Amtrak - aye
Michael Lestingi, FRA - aye
Amanda Martin, Iowa DOT - aye
John Oimoen, IDOT - aye
Jonathan Dees for NCDOT - aye
Jason Biggs for Washington State DOT -aye
Arun Rao for Wisconsin DOT - aye
Tim Hoeffner, Michigan DOT - aye
Bruce Roberts, Caltrans - aye
Mike Jenkins, Oregon DOT – aye
With a quorum having been established and all members voting in the affirmative, Chairman Curtit determined that consensus has been achieved and the motion to adopt Revision C.4, with the changes as noted in the motion, is approved.
Steve Hewitt asked that the Board recognize and thank Dr. John Tunna, FRA, who has announced his retirement from FRA in August. Dr. Tunna has served as FRA’s representative on all of the NGEC Technical Specification Review Panels since the beginning.
The Board concurred and Michael Lestingi will relay the Board’s sentiments to Dr. Tunna. Michael also noted that John’s last day at FRA is 8-20-16 for anyone who wishes to send him a note.
Steve Hewitt asked Michael to confirm that Kevin Kesler will take Dr. Tunna’s place as FRA representative on the NGEC Review Panels. Michael confirmed that this is correct. Steve Hewitt will change the NGEC rosters to reflect Mr. Kesler as FRA’s Review Panel(s) representative.
11.
Status: Two page educational/outreach document – Eric Curtit:
Chairman Curtit reported that the two-pager is nearly completed. Per the last Board call, photos of the new Charger locomotive are to be inserted into the document to replace artist’s renderings. Siemens has agreed to take photos on August 11th and provide them to Eric (and Steve Hewitt) for insertion by Mo DOT into the document. Eric hopes that a revised document will be ready for Board review by the next conference call – 8-16-16.
12.
Adjourn:
With no other business forthcoming today, Chairman Curtit adjourned the call at12:13PM Eastern
The next conference call is August 16, 2016
Decisions/Action Items
Mid-West States – Section 6 progress report:
The Mid-West states are working on a review of the By-Laws and contract modifications in order to move forward.
IDOT continues to work on the Fleet Management Procurement.
The states continue to work with Amtrak on the equipment maintenance agreement.
514 Subcommittee update: The 514 Equipment Capital subcommittee has distributed the updated draft of the 2017-2021 CIP. This CIP is a minor update which focuses on Amtrak updating the equipment overhaul tables for the upcoming 5-year period. At the next meeting of the 514 group on August 8th, we will be discussing the draft and identifying the next steps and timeline for the acceptance of the CIP by the NGEC Executive Board and then presentation to the SAIPRC Board.
Two page educational/outreach document: Siemens will be taking new photos of the Charger on August 10 and 11 and will provide some to Eric Curtit to choose from for inclusion in the two-pager.
Once approved, Steve will provide AASHTO with the number of copies to be made and where they should be sent.
Responding to VIA Rail’s request to use PRIIA Specifications: The Executive Board has (today) approved the DRAFT letter prepared by Steve Hewitt, through the FASC and it will be finalized for Eric Curtit’s signature, and sent on to VIA Rail (Robert Becker). The letter encourages VIA Rail to reference the PRIIA Specifications as it creates a performance spec with a goal of improving interoperability. VIA Rail, through the letter, will be invited to join the Technical subcommittee as industry participants.
With the adoption of the Bi-Level Car Revision C.4, the Technical subcommittee working groups will begin their updates to the Single Level specifications – Steve Hewitt will follow up with VIA Rail on the invitation to join the NGEC industry participants group.
(ongoing)
Timeline: Review of the Bi-Level Car Specification C.4 proposed changes: Today (8-2-16) the Executive Board adopted Revision C.4 as noted in the minutes. It will now be sent to Tammy Krause to oversee the inclusion of the approved DCRs into the Technical Specification as Revision C.4.
ATTACHMENTS