Hey I was wondering if amtrak still used the push pull method on. It’s hiatwha line from Milwaukee to chicago. Because I know a while back the last car had a cab car on it and the engine would pu***he train along. But lately I have seen two engines one the train one on each end. IF anyone has info on this please pass it my way [:D][:D][:)][bow][bow]
They still do. Many times on the Hiawatha’s and over here in Michigan they use NPCU’s (Non Powered Control Units) that are made from old F40’s. I have also seen them using a P42 on each end which I don’t think qualifies as genuine push-pull in my book.
The New Haven - Springfield line uses ex Metroliner cab cars and P42’s
All Amtrak California trains–the Capitol Corridors, San Joaquins, and Surfliners (excepting the Central Coast Pacific Horizon consist) use push-pull.
You can tell which ones are NPCUs by the large “garage-door” on the side where the engine used to be.
If there is an actual locomotive at each end, is each one doing some of the work or is one pulling and the other just along for the ride? If they are both doing work, wouldn’t this be push AND pull mode? [;)]
-Mark
www.fuzzyworld3.com
Amtrak has used push-pulls even prior to the retirement and conversion of F40PH’s into NPCU’s. Several former Metroliner MU cars were de-motored and converted into cab cars, some being used out of Chicago Union Station.
I think you will find Amtrak very rarely uses a locomotive on each end. Probably what you thought were locomotives were those converted F-40’s.
No, I can assure that once in a while, Amtrak will run a Hiawatha train with a P42 engine on each end. Here’s a picture
Amtrak also runs at least one consist of Horizons and its last full dome on the Central Coast Pacific from San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles with P42s at both ends.
So…the Hiawatha’s do use an NPCU sometimes?
Yes, but there seem to be more full P42DC trains lately than in the past
I’m gonna be riding a Hiawatha train in August, just wondering if I had a shot at riding behind/in front of a former F40, lol.
Thanks for other the correction and the good picture!
On ocassion the “Baby Zephyr” or Illinois Zephyr will run push pull between Chicago and Quinch, IL and back.
Amtrak’s Vermonter still does. In Palmer Mass they do a reverese from New England Central line to Vermont onto CSX’s Boston line and head west to New York. Over the years I have seen both Cab control cars and two locos on this train.
MBTA - Boston area commuter’s are run in push-pull fashion using cab control cars.
Regards
The Illinois Zephyr has been running push/pull fairly consistently. In recent weeks it usually has a non-powered F40 cab conversion on one end and a P42 on the other. Before that a P42 at each end was also common, but as far as I could tell the trailing unit was idling.
UP829–is the IZ still running that P42 in Phase III? For a while last year it was–I think it’s the last Phase III P42 in Amtrak.
Sure do…
Pushed into the hole to wait, pulling in late…
I’m not real familiar with Amtrak motive power variations, but if you mean the P42 with a white nose I’ve seen one like that last year as well. The reecent ones I’ve seen are the normal silver/blue scheme like in the picture posted above.
Saw it go by slowly Monday due to track maintenance and the plain axles on the DPCU reminded me of something. Didn’t Lionel or some other model train company invent the DPCU a.k.a. non-powred dummy unit… I wonder if Amtrak has to pay royalties.