First
there is no current design for shoes that work of over and under running third rail.
second
Amtrak units did not and do not have shoes working on both over and under running third rail. the shoe mech's were changed on FL-9's when move to Penn was made from GCT.
Third.
The FL-9 was biggest farce EMD ever built, it never worked on third rail for more that 5 days. and other than optical show to leave shoes and beams on the units never worked in electric till CDOT's FL-9m's came on property, they worked great but were quikly disabled due to MofE being scared they would burn.
Fourth.
The GE's do work in electric and with first units accepted in 1996 they are now the undisputed king of dual mode's.
no they will not last as long as the FL-9's but for my sake I hope they get shitcanned in 10 so we can move to newer technologie (EPA, etc)one 40 year technologie shock in one's job history is enough.
fifth.
yes on inbound moves MNCW does leave diesel in low idle. so if train gaps its only 1 minutes to get it going on diesel vs. 3 if diesel was shut down. the diesel is usualy shut down when cab car goes by the north end acces stairways.
On outbound moves the diesel is started at mouth of tunnel but since it has to get up to operating temp, max oil pressure and 800 rpm first, it is not put on line till after 125 th street.
sixth.
Third rail power can only be trainlined on permanent coupled cars (mu married pairs or triplets)) not on Push-pull cars.
this is to avoid barbecueing the electricians, when pulling a 600 volt bus jumper the entire train has to be off third rail.
the electrician could never know which shoe is allive and feeding the train.
seventh.
The new NJT cars DO have low level door. its the last door on end of cab car in picture. the coaches will have two doors aqt each end of the car.
the Bi-levels will be run system wide and are not restricted to NEC. over 200 are ordered with option of 176 more.yes they can be run with comet 1 > 5.
eight.
The law about diesels running in tunnels only applies to GCT and Park avenue, Amtrak on its own has banned Diesels in Hudson tunnels and Penn station and East river tunnels.