F-units are on borrowed time... till August?

The word around the campfire is that MN will take delivery of some Amtrak P40's to replace the remaining FL9's and F10's in service by end of August. I do not have a delivery date for the P40's (or what P40's we will be getting), but I was told that the F-units are definitley on borrowed time. I think this means that they are also looking to eliminate the CDOT F's from service in Connecticut as well. Currently, F's are holding down shuttle and branch line runs... but for how much longer?

-otto-
(I say, let's send them over for West of Hudson service. They will look great pulling Comet V's... bleeechh!)

Otto,

Don't count on them going over to the West of Hudson service! They offered the NJT crews the FL-9AC's several times in the past and they told MTA to drop dead! So don't hold your breath....Unfortunately most will probably get scrapped

Steve

I know the F's won't go to West-of-Hudson- that was a joke on my part. While some F's will get cut up, the others are finding homes on various tourist lines, and others are being used for parts. The CDOT NH-painted engines are in good shape, and will most likely be kept stored servicable(?). Their numbers are dwindling, but the F's will remain with us for a little while longer... just not on Metro-North.

-otto-

In regards to both the F-units and the incoming ex-VRE cars coming to CT this year.....

From what I have read on these boards, those ex-VRE cars will go into SLE service, freeing up Bomb cars for NHV-GCT trains. What's going to pull them? Are all of the FL-9Ms that ConnDOT has now only diesel w/o third rail capability? If not, then they should keep the Fs on branches and use P32s for these trains. Obviously, the P40s can't enter GCT due to the lack of third rail capability. What's going to pull these "new" trains, the first regular locomotive-hauled consists in NHV-GCT service since the days of the EP-5?

-Jay Hogan

The rumor is 6 x P40's will be bought for branchline operations, the Conndot Fl9m's and F10's will be retired the decision has nothing to do with VRE cars, but with clearance issues on SLE trains under wire, having standard power, and parts.

Can you MU a P32 with a P40 yes but only to run in diesel, only 64 volt Control is trainlined not the power.
bussing main power is not done and illegal on all equipment unless permanently coupled by drawbar like the M series cars
don't expect the FL9's to be replaced by Augus, but the P40's will arive in August. the units were stored by Amtrak cause they are due for rebuilt and 3 year inspections so they won't just run in august.

Who's actually making the purchase? CDOT or MTA?

most probably CDOT since they need engines and had 45 million to burn.

I really, really, hate to display my ignorance as much and as publicly as I have to in asking the following question: What the hell's a "P40?" Another name for an F40PH?

(The amount of online ribbing I'll have to put up with for asking this is almost too much to contemplate, but since it sounds like these units will be showing up in my home town I'd better know . . . )

A P40 is a genesis locomotive that can only run is diselmode here's a picture http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php

The P40's are first generation Genesis locomotives they are diesel only, not dual mode.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P40 #800-843
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Type: General Electric P40 Diesel
Built: GE 1993
Engine: 4,000 hp Diesel
Transmission: Electric

Some have been converted to some P42 specifications. They occasionally work on routes normally operated by P42’s. Following the re-allocation of road locomotives in the east in 2003 a number have been stored.

========
NA - NEC Albany Pool
814, 817, 823, 824, 827, 828
817 was reported at Washington DC in April 2004.

The following services are worked by this group or by the IC General Pool or NA NEC P42s:
Adirondack, between Albany and Montreal (also with P32ACDMs)
Maple Leaf, between Albany and Toronto
Vermonter between New Haven CT and St Albans VT (push pull with second locomotive or cab car on other end)
Springfield MA - New Haven CT shuttle trains (push-pull with ex-Metroliner cab car on other end)
Springfield MA - Washington DC trains between Springfield and New Haven
Boston North MA - Portland ME (Downeaster) (push-pull with ex-F40PH cab car on other end)(shared also with IC General Pool P42s)

On cab car push-pull trains a second locomotive may substitute at times for the cab car.

For maintenance purposes locomotives working from Boston, New Haven and Springfield move to and from Albany, attached to Train 448/449 The Lake Shore Limited.

========
NS - NEC South MoW Pool (Wilmington)
837
814, 823 and 837 worked MoW trains around Philadelphia in April 2004. 814 and 823 have now moved back north to Albany.

NEC Norfolk Southern Test Freights (Oct/Nov 2003) [CEASED]
NS operated a test express freight service, Trains 25A, 26A, between the Newark NJ area and Atlanta GA in late October and early November 2003. The later test runs were powered by two Amtrak P40 locomotives (with a third NS locomotive) between New Jersey and Alexandria VA. The tests have now been completed, a regular service may be established in the future. 814 and 837 operated on this service, 823 was originally assigned to this but was replaced by 814.

========
AT - Autotrain/Florida Pool (Sanford FL)
832 to 836, 838 to 843
They are based at Sanford FL and work in pairs on the Auto Train (Trains 52/53), Lorton VA - Sanford FL.
They also work other trains in place of IC General Pool P42s, mainly on those originating in Florida, notably the Sunset Limited (Trains 1/2).

========


No..Paint.Pool.Base
800 IV SS DPF Stored at Bear DE.
801 IV SS DPF Stored at Bear DE.
802 IV SS DPF Stored at Bear DE.
803 IV SS DPF Stored at Bear DE.
804 IV SS DPF Stored at Bear DE.
805 IV SS DPF Stored at Bear DE.
806 IV SS Stored, location unknown (not at Wilmington maybe at Bear)
807 IV SU BEE Beech Grove, wreck damage (Boubonnais IL 16 March 1999).
808 IV SS DPF Stored at Bear DE.
809 IV SS WIL Stored at Wilmington DE (July 2003).
810 IV SS DPF Stored at Bear DE.
811 IV SS DPF Stored at Bear DE.
812 IV SS DPF Stored at Bear DE.
813 IV SS DPF Stored at Bear DE.
814 IV NA ALB NEC/New England (Albany NY).
815 IV SS DPF Stored at Bear DE.
816 IV SS WIL Stored at Wilmington DE (July 2003).
817 IV NA ALB NEC/New England (Albany NY). [Washington DC April 2004]
818 IV SS DPF Stored at Bear DE.
819 III ZZ Scrapped, wreck (Big Bayou Canot 22 Sept 1993)
820 IV SS Stored, location unknown (not at Wilmington maybe at Bear)
821 IV SS Stored, location unknown (not at Wilmington maybe at Bear)
822 IV SS DPF Stored at Bear DE.
823 IV NA ALB NEC/New England (Albany NY).
824 IV NA ALB NEC/New England (Albany NY).
825 IV SS WIL Stored at Wilmington DE (July 2003).
826 IV SS Stored, location unknown (not at Wilmington maybe at Bear)
827 IV NA ALB NEC/New England (Albany NY).
828 IV NA ALB NEC/New England (Albany NY). (Chicago end Feb 2004)
829 IV SU BEE Beech Grove, wreck damage (Boubonnais IL 16 March 1999)
830 IV QQ Leased to VRE Virginia
831 IV SS DPF Stored at Bear DE.
832 Vb AT SAN AutoTrain/Sunset (Sanford FL)
833 Vb AT SAN AutoTrain/Sunset (Sanford FL)
834 Vb AT SAN AutoTrain/Sunset (Sanford FL)
835 Vb AT SAN AutoTrain/Sunset (Sanford FL)
836 Vb AT SAN AutoTrain/Sunset (Sanford FL)
837 IV NS WIL NEC/South MoW
838 Vb AT SAN AutoTrain/Sunset (Sanford FL)
839 Vb AT SAN AutoTrain/Sunset (Sanford FL)
840 Vb AT SAN AutoTrain/Sunset (Sanford FL)
841 Vb AT SAN AutoTrain/Sunset (Sanford FL)
842 Vb AT SAN AutoTrain/Sunset (Sanford FL)
843 Vb AT SAN AutoTrain/Sunset (Sanford FL)




Paint Schemes:
As delivered:
Phase III 800 to 843 (all)

Repaints:
Phase III to Phase IV: 800 to 818, 820 to 843
Phase III to Phase IV then to Phase Vb: 832 to 836, 838 to 843

Current situation:
Phase IV: 800 to 818, 820 to 831, 837
Phase Vb: 832 to 836, 838 to 843



http://gobytrain.us/amtrak/notes/

Maybe the P40's can be modified (rebuilt) to include third rail "dual" E-mode

Robert,

P32DMs completely different set up than the P40s you would have to tear the the whole thing down to the frame replace the 4000hp prime mover with the shorter 3200hp drop in an electric motor relocate the air compressor and then rewire the whole thing for mode changes, electric operation and all the other things that I wont bore you with. Cheaper to by a new P32DM.

I'll be down that way at the end of the month, and I was wondering where the best place to see them in survice now?

Thank you
-Justin Franz

You'll have to ask when it's closer to your trip- F-unit assignments are usually on the branch shuttle operations- Wassaic-Brewster North (Southeast), Waterbury Branch, and Danbury Branch. The vary on the weekends, what had an F one weekend might have a Genny the next.

-otto-

I should be in the area on Friday, whats the best place to get them this week. Also is there a mid day train on the Waterbury Branch?
Thanks
-Justin Franz