Michigan Amtrak Consist

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

I was in Battle Creek, Michigan this Sunday, and at 9 AM I saw one of the Amtrak Michigan Chicago-bound trains in the station with 5 coaches and a Genesis locomotive at each end.

A consist with a Genesis Diesel at one end and an F40 cabbage car at the other is almost a standard Amtrak corridor train. 8000 HP to run 5 cars seems like a lot. Do all of the Michigan trains run this consist? Do other Amtrak trains (apart from the Acela) run two locomotives with a consist this short? Do the Michigan trains require that much acceleration to maintain schedule?

One possible explanation is 110 MPH running – the standard train of a Genesis, 4 coaches (actually 5 on this train), and a cabbage may not have enough acceleration to reach 110 MPH quickly enough to make it worthwhile. But I read that 110 MPH running for the Kalamazoo west to Niles stretch is still in the works. What speeds are they running on that line?

2

Timed one at 95 last week

3

Paul, I believe they’re up to 95 now. Not sure when the next increase (100?) will take effect.

4

The P42’s are not operating in multiple, the trailing unit is in idle and was probably placed in the consist due to an unavailability of cab cars. Such an arrangement is not that unusual on the Chicago-Detroit-Pontiac trains.

5

In a case like this, do they use the trailing unit to provide HEP? It would allow the lead unit to use its full horsepower for traction, helping in aceleration, but would use more fuel. Just wondering.

Bert