Hi everyone once again I saw the amtrak hawatha today but it had tree locos to it two gennis’s and one GP-40 the really old lookin engines the 1st loco was number 37 the GP-40 was 90241 and the other one was 50 something (I THINK) but anywho does anyone know did an engine have a breakdown or did they just want to have extra power on the train today. I saw this train right around 11:35 this morning as it was slowing down for the Milwaukee Mitchell airport station. So if anyone knows can you send the info my way. Thanks.
Amtrak 90241 is former F40PH, converted to an unpowered cab car, with baggage space. So only two locomotives on this train.
Yup…
OK but when I see The train daily. When I see it going southbound i see an engineer in the cab of The FP40 so is he only sitting there to watch the tracks and the train is getting pushed from the other end or haw does that work if the engine in question has no power running though it.
The unpowered locomotive has the full control set (are these typically using desktop or AAR?) found in the cabs of the powered locomotives, and are connected by cable to the powered units allowing them to provide power. The same concept it used on most suburban commuter systems and at other places in the Amtrak system, like the Downeaster service from Boston to Portland.
The Cabbage cars have the AAR control stands. The P42’s have the desktop controlls.
My question is is it 11.35 in the AM right now in WI?
No, it was 11:35am when he saw it. Not the time now.
Saturday I too saw an Amtrak train west bound at Sandwich IL with 2 genesis locos and a GP 40 that looked brand new. I think it was the Southwest Chief.
Aha saw his original post was May 10[#oops]
Sometimes they (the Hiawatha service trains on the Chicago/Milwaukee route that is) have two Genesis engines on one end and a neutered F40PH on the other end. I assume engine problems and it is probably easier to tack on a working Genesis and to take the defective one off. Rare but it happens.
Dave Nelson