GoSpoar

GoSoar is a transport company part owned by Carolina, Freigan Railways and Mikenstein BundesBahn that aims to transform the Carolina Railway network into a system similar to the efficiency and usage to that of a European model. One of the key principles is the environmental damage provided by excesses car use. One principal stressed however by Carolianan authorities is the goal of profitability despite the network being a service.

History
In 1993 FS/FB submitted the first Regional Rail Plan for the mass expansion of rail on Carolina more than tripling the track in Carolina used for passenger services. The plan struggled to gain the all line contract that was given to Amtrak to operate all current lines in Carolina after the failure of Carolina Rail. Despite this the plan found traction and finally the plan, branded as GoSpoar was approved. The plan involved Carolina, FS/FB and MBB invited by FS/FB. The plan approved new track, renovation of old abandoned lines and new rolling stock. In late 1995 Stadler was selected to provide new rolling stock exclusively and old FS/FB stock to be used in the interim. This lead to the beginning of the construction of the first Stadler plant outside of Europe in 1997

GoSpoar bidded for the 2001 InterCity contract to operate Inter City routes in Carolina however the contract was awarded to Amtrak. GoSpoar still had regional and local routes however the failure to win the contract lead to the resignation of the CEO Hans Jagburg.

Early 2003 saw the first new Stadler trains shipped to GoSpoar from Mikenstein, prior to this old FS/FB and NS stock rented from FS/FB were used to the dismay of many. The new trainsets were greeted with high appraisals and the GoSpoar project for regenerated interest and enthusiasm. The following year saw more enthusiasm and hope for Caroline Railways, Carolina approved and funded massive improvement to the Intercity tracks to upgrade a great deal to High Speed and at least upgrade others to Higher Speed. Where possible electrification would.be introduced. Amtrak helped fund the project regarding it as a long term investment.

The rosie period did not last however, while the new GoSpoar regional and local lines were booming with communities linked AMD slashing commute times for many who.had.no.access to easy cheap.and comfortable transport Amtrak failed to impress with little action. Throughout 2005, 06 and 07 Amtrak failed to push or deliver any of its improvements other than support government track repairs. Old dirty rolling stock dominated and the prices for tickets were complex and uncomfortable. This lead to the FRC government directly and in public threaten Amtrak that their contract would.not be renewed. This does speed up the completion of two new Acela Express High Speed Lines and plans for another from Atlanta to New Orleans via. Bayonne la Vella injected optimism.

The construction of the Stadler Plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama dramatically increased the production of Stadler trains and with a dedicated manufacture train service centre helped fill the new and expanding regional network. In a knee jerk reaction Amtrak in February 2010 announced the order of 70 Siemens locomotives for the Carolina network. In July following the massive happiness of the new luxury and effective stadler trains the FRC releases plans to add the new Stadler EC250 high speed trains to the IC network. Such plan caused a massive dispute between Amtrak and the new rail commission (NCRSC). The opportunity posed by the gap and Amtrak dispute served GoSpoar well winning them the Inter City contract in 2011 for 2017. In a final soar point for Amtrak, Carolina took all Amtrak Carolina rolling stock and gifted to to GoSpoar with the exception for the Acela Express.

In line with the GoSpoar InterCity improvement project the Vision 10 plan was announcedin 2012. The Vision10 Plan provides funding for new stations in Atlanta, Miami, Bayonne la Vella, Charlotte and Tampa.

GoSpoar is due to takeover all services on 31/12/16 with a total rebrand and the roll out of the first EC250. Many staff are expected to be transferred from Amtrak to save costs.

Train categories
Lines are categorised into 5 separate passenger service categories that denote stopping frequency and speed.


 * ’’’GoKonnect Xpress’’’ is a High Speed intercity only stopping at major cities running high speed trains at 250km/h
 * ’’’GoKonnect’’’ is a higher speed category that uses regular trains connecting population centres stopping infrequently.
 * ’’’GoRegio Xpress’’’ stops more often than GoKonnect but less than a GoRegio connecting medium population centres.
 * ’’’GoRegio’’’ is a stopping service stopping at most stops connecting small population areas to main hub stations and mainlines.
 * ’’’GoHopper’’’ is a local stopping train serving suburban and local villages feeding mainline services. These are slower and seldom.make a profit individually but provide a vital service for filling mainline services. Some lines are technically Light Railways

Pricing
Pricing in GoSpoar has been crafted for simplicity. Each mile is given 4 prices, set time (only valid for specific train) and Flexiprice (valid anytime) in 1st and Second class for each category that the line is used by. Return tickets are discounted and multitrip travel cards can be produced.

A GoCard can be purchased that offers discounts on all travel yet must be loaded with a minimum or $20 at all times.

On-Train Catering
All first class passengers have access to a full restaurant car that serve full meals to a high standard. Food must be purchased still yet may be directly debited to a GoSpoar Card. Food varies depending on what the head chef in the kitchen decides and the ingredients that are in season and available. Some long haul trains also have a second class restaurant car which operate a a lower cost yet still maintain high food quality. On short Inter City routes and longer Regional Express routes an in train shop selling a selection of light snacks with varying products depending on line.

The food served on GoSpoar defined as European food according to promotional material and this is seen in the many traditional foods from Freiga and the Alps where the main private owners (FS and MBB) originate. Portion sizes however follow the American model after criticism of the small portion size by early customers.

Intercity High Speed (GoKonnect Xpress)
The standard stock for the main high speed routes are the EC250 high speed electrical multiple units that are capable of running speeds of 250km/h. It is one of the first low level high speed trains with space for 400 seated passengers.

Ex-Amtrak Siemens ACS-64 locomotive hauled services will also be used in the interim between the Intercity contract takeover and the full introduction of the Stadler trainsets. Upon this these will be downgraded to standard inter city services. These trains operates up to 200km/h operationally though passenger coaching stock can lead to slower limits. The coaching stock will be fully renovated by stadler with plans to hopefully replace when moved to inter city services.

InterCity (GoKonnect)
The primary intercity stock will be the double decker stadler flirt200 electrical multiple unit capable for speeds of 200km/h with capacity for up to 1000 passengers depending on interior arrangement as some longer routes will have on board shop.

For shorter and lower capacity routes Stadler FLIRT200 electrical or diesel multiple units will be used that are also capable of 200km/h. Capacity varies and the presence of an onboard shop has not been confirmed.

Siemens ACS-64 hauled trains will be used when they are replaced on Xpress routes and as required.

While the new Diesel FLIRT trains are completed and lines are newly electrified old Amtrak GE Genesis diesel electric locomotives hauling old Amtrak passenger stock will operate but will be replaced and relegated to regional and freight services.

Regional Express (GoRegio Xpress)
The primary Regional Express unit will be the Stadler KISS160 which can carry up to 1000 persons and reach speeds of 160km/h which high eceleration. Primary routes will have a shop onboard though the interior will.be less comfort orientated and more capacity prioritised.

Non electrified and lower capacity routes will be served by the Stadler FLIRT160 single decker electrical or diesel multiple units. Some units may have a kiosk onboard but full meals will not be available. On occasion the 200 varient may be used on longer route higher track speeds.

Upon the further completion of the Inter City stock orders GE Genesis loco hauled services will be seen on the GoRegio service until the end of their lifetime when they will be replaced by multiple units.

Until all new trains have been built and put into service ex-NS and ex-FS/FB rented from FS/FB at a very low cost will be used. On express regional routes with the old 1500 V DC electrification use push pull DD-AR trains with small modifications and for lines not electrified loco hauled variants are used. When completed the units will be returned to FS/FB.

Regional (GoRegio)
While a small number of KISS160 are used the primary unit used are FLIRT160 multiple units with high eceleration are excellent sprinter trains. The trains are not equipped for comfort and some smaller sets have no toilet. There are no onboard catering.

Like the Express service ex-NS and ex-FS/FB trainsets are on loan from FS/FB are in use. Primarily it is the DH wadloper but some NS DM’90 units also. These units have not had any modifications which has lead to some complaints.

Local Feeder (GoHopper)
The primary unit for local service is the Stadler GTW a diesel and electrical articulated multiple unit designed for local and regional traffic. It has a top speed of 140km/h however most local short services do not allow this speed. Not all services have toilets.

DH Walloper units are also used while waiting for more GTW units, these are only available in diesel so electrified lines have priority for the new units.