Amtrak locomotives

[lionkingcmsl]

This morning I noticed a line up of the four locomotives that we use on long distance trains out of Sunnyside Yard. I was able to take a photo. It is not the best as it is overcast and early moring. I had to "sharpen" the image and adjust the contrast and brightness.
Here is that image:


From left to right the locos are:
#710 - P32 AC-DM aka "Genesis" - These are dedicated units between Penn Station New York and Albany/Rensselaer.
#921 - AEM7 aka "Meatball" or "Toaster" - it will eventually be replaced by
#600 - ACS-64/Cities Sprinter aka "Angry Bird" - This is our newest "motor" it will first replace
#660 - HHP8 aka "Banana" - These are based off of the "Acela" power cars.

If you see any of the 700 series Genesis units outside of the Albany - New York City run better grab a photo, because it will be a rare occurrence. However I will note it is possible they may run as far as Fort Edward-Glen Falls, NY on occasion, though the timetable leaves enough time for an engine change at Albany/Rensselaer. This series are the only long distance diesels out of Sunnyside, though you may see a P40/P42 coupled behind it. If they are MUed the second unit is shut down, between "Empire" and SSY, as you cannot run the diesels through the tunnels or into PSNY. When running through the tunnels into PSNY and while there they operate off of 700 VDC third rail; the reason for the "DM" designation. The ability leads to some interesting situations, as the third rail has gaps at turnouts, which can be longer than the span of the collection shoes, so the HEP (Head End Power) shuts down and you lose all power in the train, except the emergency lighting which runs off of the car's batteries.

Comments

[dhlawrence.livejournal.com]

Why are the HHP8s on their way out so young?

[lowen-kind.livejournal.com]

Because they are not as promised and they have not aged gracefully. Even the Acelas were, IIRC to have 25 year life span. That is why we are getting new high speed train sets to replace the Acelas.

[thefoxaroo.livejournal.com]

Same thing happened with our poor 85 class and 86 class electric locomotives*. They went out far too young, and all but a scant few have been scrapped. In their case it was a 50/50 of politics and price-gouging. They were built when the whole of NSW Railways was still state run. When Freightcorp was established they refused to pay the exhorbitant prices required to use the catinary, so they used diesel locomotives only.

*Which LK keeps reminding me are called "Motors" in the USA instead of locomotives.

[thefoxaroo.livejournal.com]

Re that last sentence, we experience on occasion here with the EMUs on Sydney Trains (the suburban railway formerly known as Cityrail). I don't know the cause but sometimes there's a disruption to the power flow. Just as you described it, the traction motors and air conditioning conk out, and most of the fluorescent lights in the ceiling shut down (they have no dedicated emergency lights per sae, instead power is fed to a small, specific number of the normal lights). Nine times out of ten it's back on within a minute or two.