Passenger Trains > Amtrak Dash 8s

Anyone know where all the Amtrak Dash 8s work out of? Are all 20 still in service? I know 501 and 502 were sold

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They are based at hubs around the system and used mostly for switch work in the yards. Based on photos seen on this site, I believe just about every major endpoint has them: Los Angeles, Seattle, Oakland, Chicago, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Washington, Miami etc. Occasionally they are used in revenue service as needed.

I sure miss seeing them hauling across the desert in their original paint scheme in the 90s. That was a great paint scheme and a great time for variety of power on Amtrak. 

Genesis803 Wrote:
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> They are based at hubs around the system and used
> mostly for switch work in the yards. Based on
> photos seen on this site, I believe just about
> every major endpoint has them: Los Angeles,
> Seattle, Oakland, Chicago, New Orleans,
> Philadelphia, Washington, Miami etc. Occasionally
> they are used in revenue service as needed.
>

The one's in LA get used a LOT more then occasionally in revenue service.
They're usually on the Coast Starlight two or three times a week.

PHall Wrote:
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> Genesis803 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > They are based at hubs around the system and
> used
> > mostly for switch work in the yards. Based on
> > photos seen on this site, I believe just about
> > every major endpoint has them: Los Angeles,
> > Seattle, Oakland, Chicago, New Orleans,
> > Philadelphia, Washington, Miami etc.
> Occasionally
> > they are used in revenue service as needed.
> >
>
> The one's in LA get used a LOT more then
> occasionally in revenue service.
> They're usually on the Coast Starlight two or
> three times a week.

Good to know. They add some nice variety and still look sharp in my opinion. 

eastpenn23 Wrote:

> I know 501 and 502 were sold

While they were delivered in the same Pepsi Can paint as the rest of the 500's, the 501 and 502 were paid for by the State of California, so they didn't actually change ownership when they became Amtrak California 2051 and 2052 in 1995.  Rumor had it they were going to be retired when the Chargers showed up.  Are they still working?

Evan_Werkema Wrote:
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> eastpenn23 Wrote:
>
> > I know 501 and 502 were sold
>
> While they were delivered in the same Pepsi Can
> paint as the rest of the 500's, the 501 and 502
> were paid for by the State of California, so they
> didn't actually change ownership when they became
> Amtrak California 2051 and 2052 in 1995.  Rumor
> had it they were going to be retired when the
> Chargers showed up.  Are they still working?

They were parked on the same siding as CalTrain's used electrics are being stored on.
I'm sure Amtrak would buy them if they're for sale.

There were at least four P32 units in the Auto-Train pool.  Two in Sanford, two in Lorton.

Amtrak also has a number of rebuilt GP38 units for use in work train service on the NEC

A few years ago they were using the 3 units that had cab signals (512, 513 & 514) on the Pennsylvanians between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. 
I rode behind them a couple times and didn't notice any issues. However, one day as they were leaving Harrisburg, The dispatcher asked the 
engineer what engine he had; The engineers reply was; "It's not much of an engine!" I think it was not long after that that they were banned to 
routes with flatter profiles!

One of the units (507?) has been leased by Rocky Mountaineer. They need an Amtrak unit to lead the train when it makes its way down to Seattle every once in a while.

mp109 Wrote:
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> A few years ago they were using the 3 units that
> had cab signals (512, 513 & 514) on the
> Pennsylvanians between Philadelphia and
> Pittsburgh. 
> I rode behind them a couple times and didn't
> notice any issues. However, one day as they were
> leaving Harrisburg, The dispatcher asked the 
> engineer what engine he had; The engineers reply
> was; "It's not much of an engine!" I think it was
> not long after that that they were banned to 
> routes with flatter profiles!

Well, a thousand less hoursepower then a P42 would make them less of an engine if you're comparing them to the P42's.

mp109 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> A few years ago they were using the 3 units that
> had cab signals (512, 513 & 514) on the
> Pennsylvanians between Philadelphia and
> Pittsburgh. 
> I rode behind them a couple times and didn't
> notice any issues. However, one day as they were
> leaving Harrisburg, The dispatcher asked the 
> engineer what engine he had; The engineers reply
> was; "It's not much of an engine!" I think it was
> not long after that that they were banned to 
> routes with flatter profiles!

The Biggest issues they had was overheating on grades, heard stories from Surflinehogger when he used to run the Desert Wind run and complain to the boss in LA about it, the boss was like most arrogant bosses, could care less what the employee has to say!

I know 505 is out of service at the moment. Had a fire in Seattle. Was towed by a BNSF intermodal train to CHI and then I believe it went to Beach Grove. Not sure if it's going to be repaired or not.

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