I recall back to the mid 90s when the replacement for the F40PH fleet was the Genesis, P40 then P42... it was unthinkable to see the F40 fleet of 215 units, the mainstay of Amtrak's network, being put out to pasture. As we found out, there was some life after Amtrak for them.... conversion to Cabbages, conversion by CDAC to freight locomotives, some tourist operations, Class I business trains, etc.
We are still a few years away from the retirement of the P42 class, which numbered (at its peak) 207 units (plus the 15 or so P40s still cranking). It would look mighty strange to see a Genesis pulling a tourist train somewhere. Could they even be converted for freight use? Again, would seem strange, though the F40s looked more "freight-oriented" than the Genesis design. ConnDOT has a good sized fleet but are there other commuter agencies looking to grab some? Granted, they all have pretty high mileage, so that could be a turnoff.
Any thoughts? Or, whither the P42?
We are still a few years away from the retirement of the P42 class, which numbered (at its peak) 207 units (plus the 15 or so P40s still cranking). It would look mighty strange to see a Genesis pulling a tourist train somewhere. Could they even be converted for freight use? Again, would seem strange, though the F40s looked more "freight-oriented" than the Genesis design. ConnDOT has a good sized fleet but are there other commuter agencies looking to grab some? Granted, they all have pretty high mileage, so that could be a turnoff.
Any thoughts? Or, whither the P42?