Why was this ACES at Trenton?

When I first found this photo it puzzled me, I have since not been able to find why it was here on this day at Trenton. If you know any context, that would be amazing if you shared it!

G - This looks to be an Amtrak Atlantic City train stopping at TRE judging by the September 1993 date.
When Amtrak operated their NYP-ACY service the train reversed direction at Shore Tower/Frankford Junction
There had been instances of an engine change at NWK during the period this service ran...

Amtrak once operated trains to Atlantic City from Harrisburg and Washington-Richmond using diesel power running through in electrified territory back during those same years in addition to NYP service.

When you mention ACES those trains operated between NYP-NWK and ACY back around 2010 using specially designed multilevel cars along with both a diesel locomotive and ALP44 motor on the same train at opposite ends again reversing direction at Shore Tower/Frankford Junction.

Back during the 90s NJT ran two weekday PM peak hour Diesel Expresses between HOB-NWK and TRE using F40PH locomotives and Comet cars - I remember riding these trains then and recall that some NWK riders favored those trains instead of crowded trains from NYP. The two trains would terminate on the same track then would be coupled together for a fast 90+ MPH deadhead run back to the NJT MMC in the Meadowlands.

These examples explain some past Amtrak and NJT diesel use in the NEC through and to Trenton...MACTRAXX

MACTRAXX wrote: ↑Sun Aug 04, 2024 11:08 pm G - This looks to be an Amtrak Atlantic City train stopping at TRE judging by the September 1993 date.
When Amtrak operated their NYP-ACY service the train reversed direction at Shore Tower/Frankford Junction
There had been instances of an engine change at NWK during the period this service ran...

Amtrak once operated trains to Atlantic City from Harrisburg and Washington-Richmond using diesel power

oh my goodness I never knew Amtrak ran F40PHs on the middle NEC, so this is shocking information. Though I can see the reason why later on Amtrak shrunk the service to Atlantic City - Philadelphia. As I'm sure swapping to electric when NYP is only a few miles away was quite a waste of time, and the fact Atlantic City didnt really need a direct route to New york.

"oh my goodness I never knew Amtrak ran F40PHs on the middle NEC, so this is shocking information."

The ACES trains had an F40PH on one end and an AEM7 on the other end. The AEM7 powered the train from NY to Frankford Junction and the F40 from FJ to Atlantic City.

chuchubob wrote: ↑Thu Aug 08, 2024 6:58 am "oh my goodness I never knew Amtrak ran F40PHs on the middle NEC, so this is shocking information."

The ACES trains had an F40PH on one end and an AEM7 on the other end. The AEM7 powered the train from NY to Frankford Junction and the F40 from FJ to Atlantic City.

Do you have any photos of this by any chance? I'm curious, because it seems NJT took inspiration from Amtrak.

F40s, when this did happen, were added at Hudson. They do not fit into NYP at either end

Everyone: The ACES Train NYP-NWK-ACY ran for 2 1/2 years between February 2009 and September 2011.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_ ... ss_Service
NJT once had four GE P40DC locomotives used for this service - with their distinctive "Alice Cooper" front
end color scheme - these four units (NJT 4800-4803) were eventually sold to CTDOT for CTRail service...

Amtrak service to Atlantic City is described here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_ ... rak_train)
Began May 1989 - Ended April 1, 1995

These two Wikipedia pages should explain what these ACY services once were...MACTRAXX

""oh my goodness I never knew Amtrak ran F40PHs on the middle NEC, so this is shocking information."

"The ACES trains had an F40PH on one end and an AEM7 on the other end. The AEM7 powered the train from NY to Frankford Junction and the F40 from FJ to Atlantic City."

I have no photos of an F40 on ACES; the usual diesel power was a P40DC.
Photo in Pennsauken, NJ, approaching the Delair bridge to Philadelphia.
http://chuchubob.rrpicturearchives.net/ ... id=2181634
http://chuchubob.rrpicturearchives.net/ ... id=2236806

CNJGeep wrote: ↑Thu Aug 08, 2024 5:33 pm F40s, when this did happen, were added at Hudson. They do not fit into NYP at either end

Which station exactly in Hudson?

Galey wrote: ↑Sat Aug 10, 2024 11:55 pm

CNJGeep wrote: ↑Thu Aug 08, 2024 5:33 pm F40s, when this did happen, were added at Hudson. They do not fit into NYP at either end

Which station exactly in Hudson?

He's most likely referring to Hudson Yard / Interlocking, the one right outside of Newark Penn Station, right past PATH's Harrison Station.

Sidenote, wow that's a different time. In my years (my parents didn't meet eachother yet during that time) I never saw any Amtrak revenue locomotives in Hudson Yard. It was always NJT equipment and the occasional Amtrak MOW equipment.

chuchubob wrote: ↑Thu Aug 08, 2024 6:58 am "oh my goodness I never knew Amtrak ran F40PHs on the middle NEC, so this is shocking information."

The ACES trains had an F40PH on one end and an AEM7 on the other end. The AEM7 powered the train from NY to Frankford Junction and the F40 from FJ to Atlantic City.

Actually wait a minute. Based on the platform, it appears to be heading in the direction of Philadelphia (unless it looked different back then).
So ChuChuBob, if this train originated in NYP and had a Toaster on the opposite end (Toaster facing NY), that would mean it was the only locomotive on it right?
I'm assuming there was a cab car on the back, facing NY / AC. It seems impractical to do a reverse move from NYP to HUDSON.

I'm guessing it operated with a Toaster in the lead to Hudson or Newark, and then swapped to the F40PH there.
Then reversed direction at Frankford Junction, and operated in Push Mode with the Metroliner Cab Car leading to Atlantic City.

What you mentioned is more akin to that of NJT's ACES Service, with a P40 on one end & the ALP-44 on the other.

I will say, "ACES" being associated with Amtrak in this thread is a tad confusing. Amtrak never referred to their AC trains as "ACES" that was solely New Jersey Transit. I'm not upset, just setting the record straight, because I see it's leading to confusion in this thread.

NortheastTrainMan wrote: ↑Sun Aug 11, 2024 6:48 am I will say, "ACES" being associated with Amtrak in this thread is a tad confusing. Amtrak never referred to their AC trains as "ACES" that was solely New Jersey Transit. I'm not upset, just setting the record straight, because I see it's leading to confusion in this thread.

Yeah, I was about to say, what's with a PTC standard being referred to as a train line? If you meant "Atlantic City Express Services" I would of said the ACX or "the line a certain president really needed to ride reguarly."

STrRedWolf wrote:
Yeah, I was about to say, what's with a PTC standard being referred to as a train line?

The PTC system is ACSES, Advanced Civil Speed Enforcement System