Former P42 locomotive No. 184 has been transformed into non-powered cab car No. 9700, shown seen here trailing southbound Empire Service train 244 at Garrison, N.Y. Amtrak is beginning to utilize these new conversions instead of aging converted F40 locomotives and ex-Metroliner cab cars, dating from the 1960s, to facilitate push-pull service. Conversion of the locomotives is being done at the Beech Grove Maintenance Facility near Indianapolis. The company reports six conversions are in progress; observers tell News Wire that Nos. 9701 (former P42 No. 166) and 9702 (No. 177) have also been spotted. Amtrak says a total of 18 P42’s are to be converted. Conversions of three HHP8 electric locomotives in to cab cars at the Wilmington, Del., shops are also in progress; none are currently in service.
The article doesn’t address the first question I had. Are these units being modified to hold baggage, like the FP40H units?
This seems to be a reasonable use of the GE engines since they have become so unreliable on the road. Amtrak would likely say that they have all equipment that is usable is now in service. I hope it’s soon that there are enough Siemens engines to equip all western long distance.
converted F40s kept thier original numbers, didn’t they?
They did, sort of. The original unit numbers were prefixed with “90” making, for example, F40 unit 226 into “cabbage” unit 90226.
Clearly, this approach has been scuttled by Amtrak’s current “management”.
Are these overhauls more beneficial to AMTRAK revenues than returning revenue cars to service?
Nice looking body work and paint job! I hope they keep them looking nice and shiny.
Who is responsible for the typos in this article? AI or human? 🙂 🙂
Naturally, they sound so unnatural without their main engines running….
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
It is a great consolation that some of the unforgettable P42s have somehow found a new lease on life….
Dr. Güntürk Üstün