Genesis discussion (AMD-103, P40DC, P42DC)

With Canada or anyone else not purchasing diesel Locos will GE keep the Genesis design.?

They can't sell any to U.S. railroads, and VIA seems to have their fill of them, and with the current SURPLUS at Amtrak, I would think not

Now with no M & E Dave Gunn is running 3 & 4 with 2 Locomotives over Raton HELLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What if you have one fail going up?

AmtrakFan

Amtrak's got more diesel than they know what to do with. They need, and have needed for years, more electrics.

I don't see how Amtrak could have a shortage of electrics. Consider the situation now vs. five years ago. Amtrak now has 20 Acela Express sets, so the Metroliner runs that Acela replaced should free up electrics. Amtrak retired the 13 remaining E60's, but acquired 15 HHP-8 locomotives. Five years ago, Amtrak had 52 AEM-7's, and today they have 51 (#913 was scrapped). With NJ Transit taking over the Clockers, that should also free up some electric power.

hsr_fan wrote:I don't see how Amtrak could have a shortage of electrics. Consider the situation now vs. five years ago. Amtrak now has 20 Acela Express sets, so the Metroliner runs that Acela replaced should free up electrics. Amtrak retired the 13 remaining E60's, but acquired 15 HHP-8 locomotives. Five years ago, Amtrak had 52 AEM-7's, and today they have 51 (#913 was scrapped). With NJ Transit taking over the Clockers, that should also free up some electric power.

But...electrics are running all the way to Boston now, instead of being turned at New Haven to head back south. Also, the number of regional trains to New England is up.

I feel that Amtrak may have a chance to increse their current P42DC engine order to have at least 50 more (208-257) to at least replace the P40s which weren't reliable to Amtrak. The P42s, AFAIC about them, should be more reliable that the P40s, and some of the new P42DCs could be used on NEC and long haul service as well.

If they add 50 more will they utilize the GEVO plant and AC Technology this time or would they continue to use DC traction.

Dream all you want AMTRAK is NOT ordering any passeger lovcomotives, non are budgeted in next 3 year budget other than switchers.

A reponse for those surprised at the assertion that Amtrak is short of electrics: the best evidence to support that assertion is the continuing use of diesels between Philly and Harrisburg.

Also, I understand at least some --- or is it all? --- trains bound from New York to points in the south change from electric to diesel at Philly, not Washington.

No - they are back to switching engines at Washington DC - not Philly. Harrisburg to Philly is still diesel - occasional electric is run, but far from being the norm.

Paging Nellie Bly...

Assuming roughly equal horsepower, drawbar pull, acceleration, and deceleration...

At this time (2004), are there operational or cost advantages, aside from infrastructure, in running Diesel or Electric?

For the rest of us: What is economic should govern Amtrak, not what we think is "nice."

Thanks in advance.

John Perkowski

I have a question,

Someone suggested a while back that GE locos have about 20 year lifespan (on average), the AMD-103 is already half way there I think. I think they entered service in 1993/94. The P40 is anyway.

Do you think maybe the AMD-103 would be shelved until such time comes where the old locos will be replaced, or would it be cheaper to re-build them like the AEM7 were re-built?(I doubt that too seeing how Amtrak shelved that idea for the time being)

If 20 years is the lifespan, then the maintenence costs are going to go through the roof after that time right?

Part of the reason Amtrak has an electric loco shortage is that so many are sitting around awaiting repair. Last year I read it was around 37% of the AEM-7's were out of service.

Robert Paniagua wrote:I feel that Amtrak may have a chance to increse their current P42DC engine order to have at least 50 more (208-257) to at least replace the P40s which weren't reliable to Amtrak.

I must disagree as Amtrak has too many diesels right now.

The P40's were not unreliable, that is not why they are sitting idle.