Farewell to the AEM-7 ---- Excursion Train
#16
I was on the shop tour, too. I just didn't ride the train there. I have shots of the special arriving and departing.
Reply
#17
2 AM, Cherry Hill. NJT #4201, an GP40PH-2, picked us up. Didn't take pictures of it (have a video though)

[Image: P6180343.jpg]

The Amtrak train to DC didn't depart until 4:30 AM.

Dawn over the Susquehanna river, passing Perryville.

[Image: P6180353.jpg]

Ivy City Engine Terminal. You can see a Virginia Rail Express MP36PH-3C in the background, as well as DC Metro subway cars.

[Image: P6180365.jpg]

Various new, old, and rebuilt switchers at Washington Union Station.

[Image: P6180367.jpg]

An unusual Amtrak engine in the line up! the "Big Game Train". Looks a little worn!

[Image: P6180372.jpg]

There were a few Acelas parked about, though the windows didn't offer a good opportunity to photograph them.

[Image: P6180377.jpg]

Walking up to the excursion train

[Image: P6180379.jpg]

#942 and #946 were on the head end.

[Image: P6180385.jpg][/URL

[URL=http://s543.photobucket.com/user/CAB_IV/media/Farewell%20to%20the%20AEM7/P6180382.jpg.html][Image: P6180382.jpg]



Amtrak MP15

[Image: P6180387.jpg]

SW1000R-

[Image: P6180388.jpg]

an NRE 2GS12B genset switcher. it was formerly an SW1000R #797, like the engine it is coupled to.

[Image: P6180389.jpg]

While we waited, an SW1500 parked some cars onto the terminal track.

[Image: P6180397.jpg]

Interior of AEM7 #946

[Image: P6180399.jpg]

[Image: P6180401.jpg]

A pair of the new ACS-64 "City Sprinters" couples up with the train that was set out moments before. These will be the new face of the NEC for some time.

[Image: P6180421.jpg]

Photo op at the Hawthorne station. I took mostly video here. The "Phase III" car is the Beech Grove inspection car, on the tail of the train.

[Image: P6180456.jpg]

The two Toasters on the end, waiting to depart

[Image: P6180457.jpg]

I hadn't realized MARC was still using their HHP-8s, but the MARC electrics days are numbered. The line will soon go all diesel. In reality, these are the very last functional HHP-8 Electrics. Amtrak has retired theirs a few years ago. Pictures in Baltimore.

[Image: P6180458.jpg]

[Image: P6180459.jpg]

The only other "living" AEM7 I saw that day, #917 is temporarily leased to MARC

[Image: P6180462.jpg]

[Image: P6180465.jpg]

Passing the Delaware car co near Wilmington, we see the remains of a few of Budd's SPV-2000 cars. These were supposed to be the amfleet styled replacements for the Budd RDC cars. They were not successful. I hadn't realized any of these were left. They are stripped down, but my guess is that they are being converted for something. I haven't looked into them yet.

[Image: P6180489.jpg]

[Image: P6180490.jpg]

Towards the midsection, you can see where the exhaust and radiator lines passed up through the roof. There was at one point, a long blister on the roof similar to that of the Silverliner MU cars.

[Image: P6180494.jpg]

Entering Wilmington Shops. In the distance, the two ACS-64s are #601 (under a tarp) and #627. The former was from the infamous wreck in May 2015 and the latter was the engine that hit a track crew earlier this year. A few dead-lined AEM7s keep them company.

[Image: P6180506.jpg]

An old Phase IV P40DC! I'm surprised this thing is still painted this way. That said, apparently this locomotive has been dead for some time, and tends to be shuffled around. I heard it might be a training unit, but I forgot to ask someone while I was there what its story was.

[Image: P6180636.jpg]

[Image: P6180524.jpg]

Another deadline of AEM7s, alongside the Beech Grove inspection car

[Image: P6180529.jpg]

Inside the shops, an acela with its nose cone up!

[Image: P6180539.jpg]

[Image: P6180549.jpg]


Alongside it, the second newest ACS-64

[Image: P6180540.jpg]


The pantograph assembly of an Acela Express locomotive. Not a very common view!

[Image: P6180541.jpg]

[Image: P6180544.jpg]

Alongside #669, #905 looks particularly worn out. #905 is notable as being one of the earliest locomotives to be modified for "AC" traction. Though it currently looks like the others, it originally was rebuilt with a significantly different arrangement. This didn't work out though, and it was later converted to be like the others.

[Image: P6180551.jpg]

[Image: P6180556.jpg]

[Image: P6180553.jpg]

[Image: P6180559.jpg]

[Image: P6180557.jpg]

An Amtrak 44 ton switcher!

[Image: P6180583.jpg]

[Image: P6180586.jpg]

My guess is that this will likely be the last Amtrak HHP-8 I'll ever see. I am doubtful they will make it to any museums, or ever get reactivated. Interestingly, they did renumber it to 690, to make room for the ACS-64 engines. It was formerly Amtrak 660.

[Image: P6180584.jpg]

A Heritage painted P42DC

[Image: P6180589.jpg]

Here are the Veterans units. In particular, #642 has eluded my camera several times. I've spotted it on my trips on the Corridor and through Philadelphia, but the timing has never been right. Now I got you!

[Image: P6180616.jpg]

Our train in the distance.

[Image: P6180604.jpg]

A long line of dead AEM7s

[Image: P6180612.jpg]

[Image: P6180614.jpg]

Another peak inside the shops

[Image: P6180624.jpg]

A REALLY old Pullman or AC&F baggage car, with faded out Phase II paint!

[Image: P6180628.jpg]

Here I am with #670, the newest and final Amtrak ACS-64. SEPTA may get a few of these, so these won't be the VERY last ones.

[Image: P6180634.jpg]

Here is the last shot of our last Amtrak AEM7s. Other than those leased to MARC (MARC's own AEM7s apparently having been withdrawn and/or retired), and SEPTA's AEM7, no more of these engines operate. Additionally, SEPTA has the last operating ALP44. Maybe SEPTA will run a fan trip for them as well?

[Image: P6180644.jpg]


some old PRR boxcars in Baltimore on the way home.

[Image: P6180659.jpg]


I suppose this is what Amtrak will look like for the NEC for the time being!

[Image: P6180661.jpg]


I might able to get some cool shots from my videos. I did manage to spot several large NS freights, an old SD80MAC (#7219, formerly Conrail 4107).
Modeling New Jersey Under the Wire 1978-1979.  
[Image: logosmall.png]
Reply
#18
You didn't pass Bear, Del.; it's off the Northeast Corridor. Those car shells were at Delaware Car Co. in Wilmington, just east of the Amtrak station downtown:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://goo.gl/maps/7593VTVAh8H2">https://goo.gl/maps/7593VTVAh8H2</a><!-- m -->
Reply
#19
Here's the special ran south on Saturday after the open house. No. 642 went north on Sunday morning on No. 98; Nos. 42 and 145 went west on No. 51.

[Image: 27721924752_f22cbccb9c.jpg]Amtrak642PerryvilleMD6-18-16 by Brian Schmidt, on Flickr
Reply
#20
Getting some more photo processing done...

Here's the AEM-7 special departing the Wilmington shops on Saturday:

[Image: 27566470430_84a4051e2b_z.jpg]Amtrak942ShopWilmingtonDE6-18-16 by Brian Schmidt, on Flickr
Reply


Forum Jump:


Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)