THIS AIN'T MAGIC : OUTSOURCING REPAIRS IS A MAGIC BULLET! SAY THE CONSULTANTS

This article describes operations at Amtrak's backshop where heavy repairs are done in-house at a large maintenance facility in Wilmington, Delaware. Originally built in 1903 for the Pennsylvania Railroad, the operation has survived numerous efforts to close it for budget reasons and now enjoys support from new Amtrak head David Gunn. As opposed to freight operations, which can manage with out-sourced repair shops because freight cars are simpler to maintain, Amtrak relies on a deep pool of in-house knowledge for its cars and locomotives, many of which rely on parts that have to be custom- fabricated. One-of-a-kind tools also refit wheels on locomotives. The article gives examples of advantages of maintaining in-house control over repairs and parts and descriptions of two other Amtrak repair shops.

  • Availability:
  • Corporate Authors:

    Kalmbach Publishing Company

    21027 Crossroads Circle
    P.O. Box 1612
    Waukesha, WI  United States  53187-1612
  • Authors:
    • Johnston, B
  • Publication Date: 2003-10

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Features: Figures; Photos; Tables;
  • Pagination: p. 42-51
  • Serial:

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00965039
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: UC Berkeley Transportation Library
  • Files: BTRIS, TRIS
  • Created Date: Nov 3 2003 12:00AM