ACS-64 Heads Up

[Bob Dylan]

Funny that my old zip code had 666 @ the end, and some folks seemed uncomfortable, including call center reps, when I would tell them my zip code!

Other funny number phobias are the old #13 jinx, lots of hotels don't have a 13th Floor, no #13 Rooms and in Casinos there were no #13 tables, but #13 was on the Roulette table and wheel! ( Oh those French!)

 

[MikefromCrete]

I went to a Catholic high school in the 1960's which had the address 666. A number of years later, after a bunch of horror films came out featuring 666's alleged connection to the devil, the address was changed to 650.

 

[Eric S]

I want to say that when Amtrak operated trains to Atlantic City they briefly had one numbered 666. But I'd have check old timetables to make sure.

 

[afigg]

I was surprised by AMTK 659 on Amtrak #6(26) this morning at Agency, Iowa. I was also surprised by the sight of a second sightseer lounge, and I was surprised by the private cars Chapel Hill and Adirondack Club.

This means there are only ten Sprinters left, right?

Whether they skip #666 or not in the engine numbering sequence, this means that there only 10 ACS-64s left to ship from the Siemens plant. At the current delivery rate, the last one could be shipped by the end of the calendar year. Which in turns means the AEM-7s could be gone from revenue service by early Spring.

 

[PRR 60]

I want to say that when Amtrak operated trains to Atlantic City they briefly had one numbered 666. But I'd have check old timetables to make sure.

Amtrak still has train #666. Weekend Keystone leaving Harrisburg at 11:20am, arriving New York at 2:57pm.

 

[jis]

Then there is the peculiar obsession with 13 mostly in the US AFAICT too, though the reason for that apparently originated in France.

 

[Amtrak172]

I received an email from a yahoo group from an Amtrak employee saying that Amtrak is planning on pulling some of the HHP-8's out of storage for a potential return to service. If they skip 666, then I guess we'll see a 670

 

[jis]

I received an email from a yahoo group from an Amtrak employee saying that Amtrak is planning on pulling some of the HHP-8's out of storage for a potential return to service. If they skip 666, then I guess we'll see a 670

They have to maintain the HHP-8s in roadworthy condition until the lease expires. So they will have to be renumbered (and are being renumbered) even though there are no real plans to use them for anything at present.

 

[west point]

HHPs already renumbered 680 - 694. It may be the lease requires them to demonstrate that they are still roaadwoorthy every so often. Don't make too much of it. Amtrak would rather use AEM-7 ACs if necessary..

 

[jis]

HHPs already renumbered 680 - 694. It may be the lease requires them to demonstrate that they are still roaadwoorthy every so often. Don't make too much of it. Amtrak would rather use AEM-7 ACs if necessary..

Yep. That's the impression I have too.

 

[A Voice]

I received an email from a yahoo group from an Amtrak employee saying that Amtrak is planning on pulling some of the HHP-8's out of storage for a potential return to service. If they skip 666, then I guess we'll see a 670

They have to maintain the HHP-8s in roadworthy condition until the lease expires. So they will have to be renumbered (and are being renumbered) even though there are no real plans to use them for anything at present.

You would think some sort of deal could be arranged with Bombardier, to avoid literally throwing money away maintaining locomotives which will never be used again. Even upon lease expiration, it's hard to see a situation where these units are sold to another carrier; Their likely career post-Amtrak is the scrappers torch, so there is nothing to be gained by keeping them in running order.

 

[Amtrak172]

HHPs already renumbered 680 - 694. It may be the lease requires them to demonstrate that they are still roaadwoorthy every so often. Don't make too much of it. Amtrak would rather use AEM-7 ACs if necessary..

That's exactly what I was thinking when I heard about this.

 

[west point]

maybe sour grapes ?

 

[Thirdrail7]

The goal is to have all ACS-64s up and running by early Spring. I believe the AEM-7s ACs will be stored prior to that date as we are down to 17. I suspect you will see a lease buyout for the HHP-8s but until then, they must maintained accordingly..

 

[Triley]

Funny that my old zip code had 666 @ the end, and some folks seemed uncomfortable, including call center reps, when I would tell them my zip code!

Other funny number phobias are the old #13 jinx, lots of hotels don't have a 13th Floor, no #13 Rooms and in Casinos there were no #13 tables, but #13 was on the Roulette table and wheel! ( Oh those French!)

I want to have a talk with CSX. I don't remember quite what town it is in, but it's in between WAS and RVR. There is a CSX defective equipment detector which announces it's at milepost 66.6. I'm not that superstitious, but I thought it was weird. Why not round it down to 66.5, or just leave it at 66? Talked to one of the conductor crews last week, and they said they thought the same thing. Oddly enough, it was train 67 I was working, which returns as, of course, 66.

 

[Eric S]

I want to say that when Amtrak operated trains to Atlantic City they briefly had one numbered 666. But I'd have check old timetables to make sure.

Amtrak still has train #666. Weekend Keystone leaving Harrisburg at 11:20am, arriving New York at 2:57pm.

Ha! Shows that I should have just checked the timetable before commenting. Oops.

 

[Ryan]

Maybe one day ACS-64 #666 can pull train 666 around.

 

[Agent]

Here's a report that tenth-to-last ACS-64 AMTK 660 was supposed to be picked up from the factory this morning. Expected to leave on the California Zephyr Saturday.

Meanwhile, at Amtrak Headquarters:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH1biQdyiQI

 

[edjbox]

Heard something about acs64 frame issues with welds cracking...can someone verify or not?

 

[Acela150]

Where'd you hear that?

 

[Ryan]

Facebook. Showed a picture of an inspection hole cut on a unit to check. Only an issue on some.

 

[Agent]

Amtrak #6(03) was just sixteen minutes late this morning when it came through the countryside east of Batavia, Iowa with AMTK 660 in what might the last time an ACS-64 is coupled to a heritage baggage car. I believe this one was AMTK 1702, which hasn't even been updated from the Phase IV scheme. This California Zephyr was running on the left track to pass the freight train seen in the background.

 

[Agent]

I've been told there is an ACS-64 heading east now on Amtrak #6(17).

 

[Thirdrail7]

It should be the 661.

 

[Agent]

Yes, it was AMTK 661. It was just seven minutes late when the California Zephyr left Ottumwa, Iowa. It went through the yard passing one locomotive moving cars around and another locomotive that was on top of a flatcar. That one is on its way to the museum in Eldon, Iowa.