Amtrak HHP-8 Discussion: Use, Reliability, Disposition

Emmett wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2024 10:27 am Apparently the P40-C/P42-C NPCU project has taken priority over the HHP-C program currently. However I've heard the HHP project will resume.

Yes, the red headed step children of Zone 3 will need some cab cars in order to run the push pull service that begins on Nov. 11th. I'm pretty sure some have shown up in Rennselaer but wont know for sure till Monday. They tend to hide the new toys in the shop.

Railjunkie wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2024 12:45 pm

Emmett wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2024 10:27 am Apparently the P40-C/P42-C NPCU project has taken priority over the HHP-C program currently. However I've heard the HHP project will resume.

Yes, the red headed step children of Zone 3 will need some cab cars in order to run the push pull service that begins on Nov. 11th. I'm pretty sure some have shown up in Rennselaer but wont know for sure till Monday. They tend to hide the new toys in the shop.

Yeah, I believe P42C 9700 and maybe 1 or 2 others are active/finished. I personally live down on the keystone corridor so when the HHP-C's hit the rails in revenue service I'll be glad. Still cool to see the genesis get another life.

Are there advantages or disadvantages from one program to the other?

Just spitballing here but we understand the HHP to be a maintenance nightmare, perhaps a lot of those problems go away when they lose propulsion machinery.

We also understand a lot of the Gennies to be rust buckets, and that problem gets worse as time goes on regardless of usage and purpose. Especially since this is not a ladder-frame conventional motor like a SD40 or F40.

Tadman wrote: ↑Fri Nov 08, 2024 10:54 am Are there advantages or disadvantages from one program to the other?

Just spitballing here but we understand the HHP to be a maintenance nightmare, perhaps a lot of those problems go away when they lose propulsion machinery.

We also understand a lot of the Gennies to be rust buckets, and that problem gets worse as time goes on regardless of usage and purpose. Especially since this is not a ladder-frame conventional motor like a SD40 or F40.

It's a shame that the HHPC would loose their pans. Would it be possible for them to at least have gear for HEP, in case the Sprinter craps out?

This might be way up in the 76 pages of topic somewhere, but will they still retain both of their cabs? If so, will these be the first ever double-ended North American cab cars?

MattW i believe they decabbed one end on 9750 and 9751. can't confirm that though.

MattW wrote: ↑Fri Nov 08, 2024 10:36 pm This might be way up in the 76 pages of topic somewhere, but will they still retain both of their cabs? If so, will these be the first ever double-ended North American cab cars?

No, all of the units being converted to cab cars are losing one of the cabs as part of the project.

8th Notch wrote: ↑Sat Nov 09, 2024 10:58 am No, all of the units being converted to cab cars are losing one of the cabs as part of the project.

Wait a minute there...

When did they start this conversion project? Because if they started after March 5th of 2022, I'm going to call shenanigans and say someone at Amtrak is reading my Patreon!

8th Notch wrote: ↑Sat Nov 09, 2024 10:58 am No, all of the units being converted to cab cars are losing one of the cabs as part of the project.

Will the removed cab be turned into an access door to rest of train?

west point wrote: ↑Sun Nov 10, 2024 10:24 am

8th Notch wrote: ↑Sat Nov 09, 2024 10:58 am No, all of the units being converted to cab cars are losing one of the cabs as part of the project.

Will the removed cab be turned into an access door to rest of train?

It's far more likely that equipment in the cab will be disconnected and removed, but that there are no structural changes to the former locomotive. It's not like anyone expects to access the rest of the train from an ACS-64. Disabling the cab allows parts to be used as spares in the remaining cab and avoids the need to inspect the now unused cab.

Maybe blank off the cab windows with metal plate? The MILW did this when they single-ended some Little Joes.

Click to see post/image.

Jeff Smith wrote: ↑Thu Nov 28, 2024 9:34 am https://www.instagram.com/p/DC4XhwXxIIv ... mg_index=1

Broken link there, Jeff.

It's just not displaying sometimes it does that. You have to click on it.

Jeff Smith wrote: ↑Thu Nov 28, 2024 9:34 am Click to see post/image.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DC4XhwXxIIv ... mg_index=1

STrRedWolf wrote:

Jeff Smith wrote: ↑Thu Nov 28, 2024 9:34 am https://www.instagram.com/p/DC4XhwXxIIv ... mg_index=1

Broken link there, Jeff.

The modern web sucks. Here's the (second) image.

A believer in second chances

Amtrak HHP-C 9750 (built as HHP-8 661) is seen sitting in Amtrak Penn Coach yard in Philadelphia, PA with 9751 coupled behind it.

November 11, 2024