As I was looking through some Amtrak information, i noticed that Amtrak has received 3 GP-38’s. The numbers are #720, 722, and 723. Anyone have any clue of why and how they acquired these?
Well I’ll be the first to reply and my answer is… I do not really know. The randon 720’s numbering might have a solid reason, but I can’t understand why they would leave out #721… Oh well good luck!
Im just curious to know if they might have used them for switching operations or something. Ive seen FP45’s being used in consist with NS, and CSX before, but thats caused they were leased by the railroads for help. But this still blows my mind. Id like to figure this out, because it would add a bit of variety to the amtrak part of my layout
Excuse me, make that F40PH’s, not FP45’s
Probably for switching and MOW trains. Amtrak’s got some extensive coach yards in Washington D.C., Chicago, and Los Angeles. They also have a lot of older EMD SW’s for switching.
Thats what i figured, but you never can be quite sure. I have seen AMTRAK using GP40’s as well, actually running the lines. I guess some areas just need the extra push? Does anyone think there might be a horsepower issue, as far as why they would run a consist with Geeps within F40PHs ad F59/69’s?
Amtrak geeps are used for switching and MOW trains mainly on the east coast.
Here’s a link for the GP38’s:
http://www.hebners.net/amtrak/amtGP38.html
And here are the GP40’s:
http://www.hebners.net/amtrak/amtGP40PH.html
excellent… exactly what im looking for. Does anyone use these in their layouts?
You got any Amtrak MoW equipment???
Only car I know of (in H0) is Walthers Difco Side dump cars… nice cars but hard to find (here).
May I give a word of warning… from one who has got it WRONG… there’s lots of interesting things out there, lots of things to include… lots of money to spend…BUT only so much loco and car length that you can fit on your track.
A guide I’m still learning to apply is…
NOT "do I need it… I can always find an excuse / bend the period / bend the location.
BUT
Is there space for it?
Will I be able to find a good train to go behind it… and pay for it…
And then will it warrant track space or end up in its box because othertrains are more interseting.
Also… with an unusual train/loco will the loco and/or cars I get to modify/repaint EVER get modified or repainted.
At my present rate of progress I should about catch up by the time I’m 210.
I beleieve that you are stationed in foriegn parts… don’t forget you’ll need to ship it all home someday… boring but practical.
Also boring but practical… I use Walthers “wish List” for all the things I’d like to do and (now) try to get only the things I will do… I will, honest, some day.
Unless of course it’s CNW in which case it really is essential…
Have fun 
Oh yes, I love those Amtrak GPs… I’ll ned at least one of each…
Just seen this pic http://www.hebners.net/amtrak/amtGP40/amt192.jpg
It reminds me that Amtrak might/would use diesels in Overhead power areas whenever the power failed, the pwoer had to be off (for maintenance) or the catenary was damaged/down. UK practice is often to couple a diesel on ahead of the juicer to pull it (and the train) through the area without power, then unhook and leave the juicer to put its pantograph up and carry on under its own power. this keeps the electric locos with their trais and saves parking them and/or getting them out of place for their next working.
I don’t know but I would guess that the GPs would be used for this… if they’re not out on the MoW trains that are doing the maintenance that is causing the power to be off.
BUT… This would be where the overhead is in the NE…
Most of the thumbnails seem to show the locos in passenger livery or simplified passr. livery not MoW livery… so road use or switching…?
and all those nice MoW hoppers in the background…
When you say MoW… meaning what? Im relativley new to all this
Maintenance
Of
Way.
Best of luck,
Ok, i gotcha.
MoW = digging it up, straightening it out/replacing it and putting it back.[8D]
You might like to try these…
http://trackgang.railfan.net/images/amt-mw/amt-mw.html
You might try this as well… don’t know if it’s any good…
http://www.vetmed.auburn.edu/~smithbf/BFSpages/LDSIGprimer/TOC.html
Does Amtrak still have the orange GP7 and 9s? I saw one of them at their shops in Albany. BTW, these units are common around Philadelphia…usually with a few orange gons in tow.