New ATK Electric Power

[J]

Here is an excerpt from an October 28 Employee Message. Considering the AEM-7's were delivered starting in the mid-1970's their service life is beginning to approach that of the well-regarded GG1's. The HHP-8's, on the other hand, are another story.

Tomorrow, Amtrak will be announcing the purchase of 70 new electric locomotives for use on the Northeast Corridor (including the Keystone Service), the first of which will be delivered in February 2013. The six-year, $466 million contract has been awarded to Siemens, and will create 250 jobs at its manufacturing plant in Sacramento, Calif., as well as its other facilities in Norwood, Ohio, and Alpharetta, Ga.
* * *
As we take delivery of the 70 new locomotives, we will retire 64 older locomotives in our current electric fleet, including 20 DC AEM-7s, 29 AC AEM-7s and 15 HHP-8s. The additional units will be put toward service expansion.

[jnohallman]

Originally Posted by J

The HHP-8's, on the other hand, are another story.

One wonders what the story is behind replacing the HHP-8s already. On another note, anyone know what these new engines are going to look like?

Jon

[milwman]

Maybe like this

[jnohallman]

Gee, that looks almost as good as the Toasters. Where are Raymond Loewy and Otto Kuhler when you need them?

Jon

[milwman]

Originally Posted by jnohallman

Gee, that looks almost as good as the Toasters. Where are Raymond Loewy and Otto Kuhler when you need them?

Jon

Styling cost so it's an box with slanted windows.

[trainboysd40]

And don't forget evil looking headlights - Totally badass.

[JRMDC]

To be called ACS-64

http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-n...electrics.html

Originally Posted by milwman

Maybe like this

Those units are going to be crushed from the cab in if a collision head on happens.

[J]

These locomotives will provide significanly improved protection to the crews. The Railway Age Piece states:

Siemens says the ACS-64 “meets the latest federal safety regulations and includes additional safety features not yet required, such as CEM (crash energy management) components like anti-climbing technology and push-back couplers designed to keep the train upright, inline, and on the tracks in the event of a collision.

Part of the FRA regulations states

"§ 229.205 General requirements.
(a) Each wide-nose locomotive used in occupied service must meet the minimum crashworthiness performance requirements set forth in Appendix E of this part."

You can read the whole rule here:
* * *
http://www.fra.dot.gov/Downloads/cou...ness062806.pdf

[nikos1]

I dont see the reason these need to replace instead of augment the existing fleet. NEC is one area where rail demand will increase so it would make sense to keep the old motors around, I dont think they will find much of a market to sell them to,

[JRMDC]

Originally Posted by nikos1

I dont see the reason these need to replace instead of augment the existing fleet. NEC is one area where rail demand will increase so it would make sense to keep the old motors around, I dont think they will find much of a market to sell them to,

As I understand it, they are on their last legs. Plus, the NEC is actually one place where they can't increase train frequency much, and certainly they can't when relying on old, unreliable power.

Now this is all stated with some degree of ignorance - I admit it! I am sure someone will chime in saying how many trains PRR ran back in the day. But my understanding is that, especially with various track constraints, not to mention old infrastructure in general, that it isn't just a matter of having more cars and power on the NEC.

Happy to be told I am wrong. Well, content.

[jnohallman]

Originally Posted by milwman

Styling cost so it's an box with slanted windows.

Yeah, but even the Bananas look better. As far as a market for the old locos AMTK is replacing, maybe they can send them out west to replace the E-60s.

Jon

[milwman]

Originally Posted by jnohallman

Yeah, but even the Bananas look better. As far as a market for the old locos AMTK is replacing, maybe they can send them out west to replace the E-60s.

Jon

Not likely, Coal never moves at 120+ and most cars they would pull 10 Maybe? As they weigh 80 tons not 200 tons like the E60's. They wont make a locomotive other then a box unless it needs to cut thru the air as the ones riding don't care as long as it get them there.

[milwman]

Originally Posted by IHapsias

Those units are going to be crushed from the cab in if a collision head on happens.

Maybe, I just posted a drawing didn't design it. I would like something more cool looking too, But boxy is in.

Originally Posted by milwman

Maybe, I just posted a drawing didn't design it. I would like something more cool looking too, But boxy is in.

That's true.

[Slopes09]

Originally Posted by jnohallman

One wonders what the story is behind replacing the HHP-8s already. On another note, anyone know what these new engines are going to look like?

Jon

The HHP-8's are nicknamed "8-balls" for a reason: you shake them up and you never know what's going to go wrong with 'em. Seriously though, they're unreliable as all heck.

Also, an additional aside with regards to the crash-worthiness is to note that the AEM-7s have NO nose whatsoever.

[jnohallman]

Personally, I think they oughtta just build GG-1s with modern innards . . .

Jon