P32-8BWH retirement

[jp1822]

And what is going to replace them? They currently have been filling in as regular service on the Pennsylvanian. Unfortunately, the new electrics won't make it to Pittsburgh.

[Matt Johnson]

And what is going to replace them? They currently have been filling in as regular service on the Pennsylvanian. Unfortunately, the new electrics won't make it to Pittsburgh.

512 seems to make semi-regular appearances down here in Virginia as well.

[Jersey_Mike]

The 500 series can be used for switching operations and MoW work due to their road switcher configuration with stairs at the four corners.

[BM6569]

It's probably just that, a rumor. If there were any serious considerations about them being retired anytime soon, you would have seen it posted here.

[electricron]

It's probably just that, a rumor. If there were any serious considerations about them being retired anytime soon, you would have seen it posted here.

??? Rumor or not, I'm reading about it here !!!
Just how do you distinguish rumors from facts ???

[frequentflyer]

I still remember the Trains mag story on these units when they debuted. Its been 20 years already?

[BuddSilverliner269]

With a shortage of engines all across the country do you honestly believe that these will be retired? I haven't heard anything at work but that's not to say it's not happening but has anything new been ordered to take there place? Nope. They do make pretty good yard engines with the air conditioning.

[emd645e3]

I wish this were true. Two trips on one of those dogs will really make you love electric locomotives.

[amtrakhogger]

Jack of all trades engines. Philly usually has the 512, 513, and sometimes the 514.

[Backshophoss]

The P-32-BWH was the "proof of concept" for the P-32dm,P-40,and P-42 designs,may become
GE's "testbed" for the EVO-series "high speed passenger kits" for the repowering of the fleet,
following the MPI/GE HSP-46's built for MBTA.
If there're 5xx's to be retired, it must be some of the SW's or MP's.

[mtuandrew]

Has anyone at Amtrak (or GE) ever talked about trying to acquire an ex-ATSF B40-8W as a testbed for GEVO repowering?

[DutchRailnut]

to put a GEVO in would not only have to totally upgrade electrical system due to higher output but would need a totally different cooling system.
basically you would start by stripping entire locomotive down to flatcar with cab, at probably higher cost than new locomotive.

[Tadman]

Dutch is basically right - it would be like building a Genset, you use the frame and cab and that's about it. Would it cost more than a new locomotive? That's a good question because the only GEVO-powered passenger locomotive is built in such small numbers that your r&d costs are awful high per-unit.

Personally I would think a good rebuild would be best choice because with a few exceptions, these units aren't used that hard and don't go far from the yard very often. They're not counted on to move a train across snowy Montana at 3am like most of Amtrak's power has to do, they have to shuffle cars around Lorton or 14th street.

[mtuandrew]

to put a GEVO in would not only have to totally upgrade electrical system due to higher output but would need a totally different cooling system.
basically you would start by stripping entire locomotive down to flatcar with cab, at probably higher cost than new locomotive.

How would rebuilding a B40-8W into an ES33H be significantly more difficult than EMD making a GP50 into a GP30ECO? That's a rhetorical question, because I doubt it would cost >$3M for a repower, and because I don't want to draw us that far down a rabbit hole. Just wondering if Amtrak's mechanical department has considered it, as a testbed for future GEVO passenger power and as up to date road-switchers.

[DutchRailnut]

If Amtrak wanted to try a GEVO unit they could always lease/borrow a New HSP-46ac from MPI at considerable less cost.