Which MARC Hippo is getting the BBD "makeover"?? Which MARC Hippo's are in service on a regular basis?
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Backshophoss wrote:Which MARC Hippo is getting the BBD "makeover"?? Which MARC Hippo's are in service on a regular basis?I saw 4912 out on the line this past week, so that 1 out of the 6.
STrRedWolf wrote:Today's sighting is 4915. So that's two.Hey Mr Wolf,
liftedjeep wrote:Revenue service. 4912 was running MARC 408 and 4915 was on today's 445. I'm ODN-BAL myself, so I can grab these HHP-8's as they're running.STrRedWolf wrote:Today's sighting is 4915. So that's two.Hey Mr Wolf,
Are the HHP-8s you're seeing actually in revenue service, or sidelined someplace?
Ben
STrRedWolf wrote:I just realized this thread reply with some other info. In short now:liftedjeep wrote:Revenue service. 4912 was running MARC 408 and 4915 was on today's 445. I'm ODN-BAL myself, so I can grab these HHP-8's as they're running.STrRedWolf wrote:Today's sighting is 4915. So that's two.Hey Mr Wolf,
Are the HHP-8s you're seeing actually in revenue service, or sidelined someplace?
Ben
dt_rt40 wrote:"blown transformer". Hhhmmm. One assumes power utilities have transmission transformers blow all the time on their vast networks, and they manage to replace, restoring service, within 24 hours. I can understand it being a slightly more specialized part...but not that much more specialized. Is it really that hard to get Bombardier to scrunge one up? Can't you just take the specs to whomever makes such things, and have them wind one for you? Does it change the voltage in some magical way that no other transformer can change voltage?That may be the case. I thought I remember some old operational logs that had recorded numerous issues with 4911 (including the June 2010 issue with MARC 538), and basically became a shop queen. Being careful with 4912/4915 would be best.
In all seriousness though, or as serious as I can be...I sense that maybe the HHP-8s are being driven a little more gingerly than in years past? Is it possible they want to keep another from 'blowing its top' by not accelerating as quickly?
dt_rt40 wrote:Thus Spoke Hoggathustra?I don't think there's a chance of it going over 125, maybe the motor can handle 150 but the MARC IIs and IIIs can only do 125. If you ever sit on the upper deck of a III you'll pray the swaying won't knock you off the tracks at 125( or so it feels :D). I don't think there's a place in MD where the limit is above 125 anyway.
It was an early Garmin GPS, but had cost about $500 in 2008 or 09. It never recorded a speed other than 125 for a MARC train*, and was never more than 2 or so mph off in my car, including a trip across country. Always matched the speedometer. We seemed to be going faster than normal...it registered 125, and we continued to seem to accelerate. So, yeah, maybe just a fluke...maybe not. If I saw records showing Amtrak/MARC speedometers are calibrated every month or so, I'd be more convinced it was impossible. BTW 3 different smartphones since then never recorded over 125...and seldom touch that. Did GPS technology get so much more accurate since 2009? Maybe, maybe not.
* - actually maybe one other time went a little above, like 130. I used to run it quite often to clock the trains. Some Harford county hayseed once brought it to the attention of the conductor, as though maybe I wuz one of dem turrurists. A thin white 30 year old wearing a tie and with a government ID badge LOL. Whose knowledge of the train's speed was somehow dangerous.