Why do the 1990s-era Amtrak Talgo consists have a power car?

Trains Magazine Passenger
1

Doesn’t the locomotive provide head-end power?

2

I’ve never heard the reason for it. Usually the locomotives provide HEP, but not always. A few trains a year seem to end up using freight locomotives for power, and it’s useful then.

The Series 8 sets have a generator in the cab car, too. Just how Talgo does things.

3

I wonder if the Talgos use some sort of European power specification (voltage and or phase) that the US HEP generators can not provide?

4

The two cars with fins at each end give the train a streamlined appearance.

5

Thanks, but that does not have anything to do with my question.

Thanks, anyway.