Passenger Trains > How is the HHP8 project coming?

Any idea when the first HHP8 Cab cars will see revenue service?

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I heard a rumor that the project might be scrapped - no reason why.
This was about 2 weeks ago and I have not heard of any testing in nearly a month.
Not sure what Amtrak will do in the interim as there are still problems with the ex-Metroliner
cab cars.
Andy

If Amtrak were a real railroad, their bankruptcy would be so fast and so big, it would make the Rock's seem paltry. Such a travesty...but that seems the way of the government these days, doesn't it...  

That is often the case when a Government (yes, Amtrak is quasi-private but that doesn't seem to count) entity becomes more of a welfare agency for employing the various politically-favored  than for providing the best public service in its prime business.

GenePoon Wrote:
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> That is often the case when a Government (yes,
> Amtrak is quasi-private but that doesn't seem to
> count) entity becomes more of a welfare agency for
> employing the various politically-favored  than
> for providing the best public service in its prime
> business.

Actually, Amtrak is a quasi-public-government corporation. 

Is it just "on hold" due to the track work and truncations that are going on with the Keystone Corridor trains? Honestly, it would be a shame if the HHP8 project is scrapped because it does make a lot of sense. The proposal to make AEM7's also made a lot of sense. But that didn't even get as far as the HHP8 project.

Yes, Metroliner Cab Cars are not going to last much longer, especially with the Amtrak maintenance program they've been subject to over the years. Some trains on the NEC operating between Washington DC and NYP are in the push-pull mode with no turning at either end. Most of those trains are with surplus Sprinters or Metroliner Cab Cars. Thankfully, there are still more Sprinters available and in service than trains a motor assigned to them. Final years of AEM7 operations were a bit tight to say the least. 

Wait a minute......I've got it!!!!! The HHP8s are in excess of 200K pounds. They were used in high speed electric propulsion service......Granted some parts were likely taken out. Replace with weights.... Superliner passenger cars are around 150,000 to 160,000 pounds......If not being used as cab cars in the NEC, grease up those wheels and use them for axle count cars on the Midwestern routes where CN has their shunt restrictions and protocol in place. Creative solutions!!!!!!

Avelia Liberty testing remains all but non-existent also as the trains continue to sit in Philly.  I'm guessing no news is bad news at this point.

jp1822 Wrote:
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> ..If not being used
> as cab cars in the NEC, grease up those wheels and
> use them for axle count cars on the Midwestern
> routes where CN has their shunt restrictions and
> protocol in place. Creative solutions!!!!!!

The solution to the Midwest issue has been submitted for approval. Might as well just let them run that process through at this point. Once approved and all the Chargers are equipped these axle count requirements will disappear and Amtrak will be able to work on getting the Carbondale service back on single level equipment.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/05/24 21:30 by lordsigma.

a737flyer Wrote:
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> If Amtrak were a real railroad, their bankruptcy
> would be so fast and so big, it would make the
> Rock's seem paltry.

It's a passenger service.  They don't make money.  You can say the same thing about all the commuter train agencies.

jp1822 Wrote:
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> Wait a minute......I've got it!!!!! The HHP8s are
> in excess of 200K pounds. They were used in high
> speed electric propulsion service......Granted
> some parts were likely taken out. Replace with
> weights.... Superliner passenger cars are around
> 150,000 to 160,000 pounds......If not being used
> as cab cars in the NEC, grease up those wheels and
> use them for axle count cars on the Midwestern
> routes where CN has their shunt restrictions and
> protocol in place. Creative solutions!!!!!!

Fantastic idea! Maybe they can also engage WABTEC to set these things up as battery-electrics for emergency propulsion when a Charger fails :-)