Saw some bran new Amtrak diesel units parked at the hump yard. They looked good but they look like rather long 4 axle freight units, what are these engines?? If they are some kind of switcher then they are kind of big with a hi long hood. If they are passenger units they sure look like freight units. If they are rebuilt from older units I don’t recognize from what… unless they are rebuilt from the long GP40’s they once got from GO Transit ?!
I had no camera but I wonder if anyone has any refference to these unit types.
Thanx in advance
Amtrak recently took delivery of 10 MP15B’s numbered 570-579 from Motive Power Industries for yard and work train service. They resemble an MP1500/GP15D with a close clearance cab.
If you saw what I think you did, they are GP38H-3 locomotives. They are rebuilds of the ex-GO Transit units as you suspected. And yes, they do look like long GP’s. I saw 2 of them at NS’ Conway Yard a few weeks ago…520 and 526. They are painted a basic silver/gray with a blue roof and a gray underbody. The new Amtrak logo is in blue on the cab, and the number is on the long hood.
Why could’nt Colorado Railcar Build Amtrak next New order of Superliners Cars? I saw there website, they do some great work there in Ft.Lupton, CO. I saw they made 4 Sleeping Cars Brand New again for the American Orient Express Train.[8D]
Last year, when the Colorado Railcar execs were touring the country with their DMU, they told everyone who would listen that they only have the capacity to build 15 to 20 cars of various types per year AND that they do NOT want to get any bigger than that. That is why they have turned down solicitations to bid on supplying cars to several commuter authorities who needed many more cars than that supplied within one given fiscal year.
…And if Amtrak survives and a program is put in place to rebuild it’s existing passenger cars they do have facilities here in Beechgrove, In…I believe the employment figure there now is around 1000 and from articles I’ve seen on the operation they can do all that work there. It would be nice to see those facilities survive…and along with many jobs. Something our new Indiana Govenor doesn’t seem to have much interest in. He commented in so many words that it is a waste of taxpayers money.
Saw photos of these two “new” models (the MP and the GP) on www.railpictures.net this morning and I am betting they are pure switchers, but the GP might be able to be used for passenger service if they have HEP capability.
