I have two pictures from May 17, 2002 of back to back trains with an E60CH in the lead and a second unit trailing. Did these units have the capability to MU with other types of locomotives? Could they MU with diesels? Here is a shot of a westbound train at Harrison NJ with an E60CH and a P42DC.
The E60s spent their last years as ‘protection’ power on the Northeast Corridor. If the motive power on a train broke down, the protection power towed it to the end of its run. Note, in the second photo, the ‘toaster’ does not have either pan raised. It is dead in tow.
The E60s were also used to haul the long distance trains (Silver Service, Cresent, Three Rivers (ex-Broadway Limited)) between New York and Philadelphia in the last 10 or so years of their life. While the locomotive change usually occurred in Philadelphia, I did witness a few trains where a pair of P40/42 power was already in the consist directly behind the E60.
Funny, the things you don’t see… I didn’t notice the pans were down on the AEM7.
The other image is more surprising to me though… as this would mean they hauled the diesel through the North River Tunnels (and 99.99% sure the East River Tunnels too).
That was SOP for years since the early '90s. When the Turboliners crapped out there was a severe power shortage in the Empire Service operator. Amtrak used brand new P40’s (Not P32DM, were not built yet) in Empire Service and the Lake Shore Limited. A meatball would haul the P40 consist from Sunnyside Yard through the East River Tunnel. Then haul the consists at departure time from the platform at Penn Sta. to the “Empire Connection” to just outside the tunnel mouth where the wires end. There the P40 would fire the prime mover and head north to Albany-Ren. up the West Side Line.
In reality they would fire up the prime mover on the platform a few minutes before departure so the engine block would be warm up and to make sure that HEP would be up and running.
For the 180 day check the P40’s would be deadheaded on the Crescent to the New Orleans Maintinance Base ,so that mean a ride through the North River Tunnels. I remember seeing the the “fleur du leaux” stenciled on the pilots of the P40’s.
I liked those E60 giants and got to ride behind them.
Though all have been retired one is supposedly slated for restoration in the Amtrak scheme. However, someone posted on the forum a while back that another E60 in New Jersey Transit colors still exists. Anyone know if this one will see restoration as well?
There is definetely one in Amtrak colors in Strasburg (at the Pennsylvania State RR Museum). There is also a New Jersey Transit owned one in Boonton, NJ, stored and rusting at the moment, which is slated to be restored (but I don’t know what the paint on it now is).