Farewell to the AEM-7 ---- Excursion Train

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2 AM, Cherry Hill. NJT #4201, an GP40PH-2, picked us up. Didn't take pictures of it (have a video though)



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

Dawn over the Susquehanna river, passing Perryville.



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



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



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



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



Walking up to the excursion train



#942 and #946 were on the head end.

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Amtrak MP15



SW1000R-



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



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



Interior of AEM7 #946





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.



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.



The two Toasters on the end, waiting to depart



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.





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





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.





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.



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.



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.





Another deadline of AEM7s, alongside the Beech Grove inspection car



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






Alongside it, the second newest ACS-64




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





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.











An Amtrak 44 ton switcher!





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.



A Heritage painted P42DC



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!



Our train in the distance.



A long line of dead AEM7s





Another peak inside the shops



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



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.



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?




some old PRR boxcars in Baltimore on the way home.




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




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).