Between what I’ve seen on the forum and for research for various modeling projects I am [%-)][D)] about dates and other facts about some amtrak motive power.
I had always thought that the Genesis’s were fairly new (2-3 years) but have read in some places that the F40’s were retired way back in 1999. Was there a “middle man” or am I just very confused?
I thought that the Cabbage was a pretty new idea (last year or two) but am finding information dating farther back than that. I’m also wondering about these cabcars I hear they replaced.
What was the original purpose of the P32? I don’t remember ever seeing them on the Cal Zypher out here (well, maybe one), but have read that they were supposed to replace the F40.
So what is right? Some trustworthy links would be greatly appreciated too!
P40’s (800-843) were the first to replace F40’s - NOT the P32’s. This started in 1993.
P32’s (700-717) are P32AC-DM’s a.k.a. dual modes with third rail capability for primary use into New York City, started on in 1995 and more in 1998.
P42’s (1-207) came later… 1990’s - 2001
They all have the Genesis carbody but are different units - I prefer using the correct designation as Genesis is so broad.
The cab cars some cabbages replaced are former Penn Central METROLINERS - they were electric MU cars converted into cab cars - many are still in use though (as CCC’s not EMU’s)…
There are two “P32” locomotives, the first of which is a variant of the AMD103 family that uses electrical power in addition to diesel, and the other is a passenger-geared B02-8W (pretty much a freight locomotive and looks like one)
The B32-8WH (AMTK 500-519) was an interim design meant to help get Amtrak through a power shortage until the various Genesis designs arrived. The HEP-cabled GP40’s (AMTK 650-664) were leased at about the same time. The older F40’s were nearing the 20-year mark and reliability was starting to fall off.
Thank you very much David, the link answered most of my questions.
The one thing that sight didn’t have anything about was the B32-8WH (the converted dash-8), which is the P32 I was referring to. Anyone got some links on those?
I guess GE vs EMD has been the subject of many a flamefest.
Any reason why Amtrak changed over from mostly EMD and some P30CH’s over to all GE? Any reason why the Western states buying locomotives for the Pacific Cascades Talgo and Amtrak California went with the F59PHI?
The original F59s were designed as commuter locomotives for GO, Metrolink and the like, so the fast acceleration was built in from the outset. The Genesis series on the other hand was designed directly, with the input of Amtrak, for the intended purpose of being a dedicated intercity passenger engine. This was the first true racehorse since the days of the streamliners to truly excell at its job (the F40 was desinged as a multipurpose locomotive for both intercity and commuter work.)
I think the most interesting thing about the Amtrak locomotives is their connection to the historic streamliners. The F59PHI is the linear descendant of the original F-units (by way of the GP series) that powered streamliners like the Super Chief. The P42, with a somewhat muddier history, can trace back to the Alco P-series that pulled the Daylights.