Back when Amtrak started running their new Genesis units, I would often see them paired with an older F40PH. It seems that every time I saw this pairing, the Genesis unit would be in the lead. Was it because of crew preference or just the way the units were assigned? Because the units were working together, I can’t didn’t think that it would matter which unit was in the lead and which was trailing.
I’m guessing there was a reason but I’m curious to know what that reason is.
Brian
The F40PH’s very incredably loud and it was probably easier on the crew to ride in the Genesis.
Cobron35 pretty much sumed it up. I am sure the Genisis are quieter, more comfortable, and ride better, and overall just better for the crews, so why not ride in them…?
The Genesis (or whatever is the lead unit) would be used strictly for motive power. The trailing unit would be used for motive power and HEP , and as such were in constant run 8, thus the loudness issue.
Occasionally, if train electrical demands are high (winter heating, summer a/c)and you have sufficient motive power from other units, the trailing unit will be used for HEP only, or sometimes two units would be setup to supply HEP.
In addition, it is somewhat more difficult (amount varies for each engineer) to get the complete “feel” for your train if you cannot compare the sound of the locomotive while under power and relating the sound to how the train responds.
Do the F40s have AC? I would want AC in the summer.
Adrianspeeder
Very few of the F40’s did. 202 was the 1st one.
You are confusing AC as in air conditioning with AC as in alternating current.
F40 202 was converted by Amtrak to Brown-Boveri AC propulsion in the early 1990s.
Sorry, I ment Air Conditioning. As in you would want the loco with air up front.
Adrianspeeder
Hey, while we’re on the topic, I could’ve sworn I saw an Amtrak train pulling and F40 running on the NS line (ex-Pennsy?) that parallels the Skyway in Chicago on Dec. 23, 2005 while on my back from Indianapolis. The train had a Genesis engine up front and an F40 at the tail with its nose facing backwards. Then on Dec. 28th I swear I could’ve seen the same consist sitting south of the Mayfair diamond (where the Harvard Sub/Metra’s UP-NW line cross the CP/Metra Milwaukee North).
Begs two questions: 1.) IS Amtrak still using any of the F40s and 2.) How likely is it that this was the same train?
Mike
There are F40s converted to cab/baggage cars for push-pull runs.
Thanks! Make much more sense now. Do they just leave the cab controls and pull the power (engine block) out?
Mike
Well, there is more to it than that, but you have the basic idea.
The empty f40’s I’ve seen have an empty carbody, with a roll-up baggage door to allow cargo/baggage to be stowed in the back. I think there is a small wall between the storage area and the control stand, and I think that’s about all thats left in em.
thats too bad that Amtrak no longer uses F40’s, o well come to Canada and watch some VIA Rail trains and we got tons of F40PH-2’s going.
In 1996 during a joint venture between CSX, Amtrak and the transit company I worked for, I met an engineer named Gleason. Very pleasant fellow who usually ran the Silver Meteor. We talked a bit and he indicated that he was tired of the F40s. Due to Amtrak’s limited manitenance funds, F40s on the east coast were prone to frequent breakdowns as the miles racked up. Their being in constant “Run 8” apparently contributed to severe wear and tear on these tough old birds. While they were slower on the “get up and go”, locomotive crews were happy with the arrival of the newer power, (though many would have preferred EMD).
Many Crews don’t like the poor visbility in the P42’s…