battalion51
Engineer
Shawn, the AEM-7DCs will be the first to go as the ACS-64s enter service. Followed by the AEM-7ACs, and the HHP-8s will be the last to go.
ACS-64 Heads Up
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Based on posts here and other rr forums, the order of retirement of the AEM-7ACs and HHP-8s may not be that cleanly structured. If 5 HHP-8s are out of service and parts are hard to get, the retirement order may be intermixed and driven by events. If an AC unit or HHP-8 unit needs costly repairs and enough ACS-64s are ready for revenue service, then the out of service unit may get sent off to the storage tracks.
battalion51
Engineer
Fair point. Why sink a whole bunch of money into something you're about to discard?
Well here's a couple videos I wish I'd uploaded sooner. They show AMTK 603 on the California Zephyr at Ottumwa, Iowa back on August 12. I'd tried to zoom in on as many details as I could as it was stopped at the station.
Another person that was there also shot their own video (Bonus points to whoever can spot me filming my videos on this video).
By the way, does anyone know it 605 made it onto a Zephyr yet?
Another person that was there also shot their own video (Bonus points to whoever can spot me filming my videos on this video).
By the way, does anyone know it 605 made it onto a Zephyr yet?
jis
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Reports out of California on TO say it is scheduled to leave EMY on 6 today (10/6)
Acela150
Super Buff
14 Mins late?? Is that some kind of Joke?? 
Acela150
Super Buff
As an added question Will the ACS-64's be numbered upto 669 or 670? I'm not sure on that one.. I want to say 669.
MikefromCrete
Engineer
I wonder if one will be numbered 666, or will they skip that?
MattW
Conductor
Well they have a Keystone train numbered 666 so they aren't shy about that number.
Acela150
Super Buff
Unless their is an extreme protest from the masses, 666 will be a ACS-64.
Acela150
Super Buff
Agent, he was really hustling there. Maybe with AU you'll be able to catch all 70 ACS units!
A
ACS-64
Guest
Amtrak Cities Sprinters will be numbered (600-669) and HHP-8 (650-664) will be renumbered (680-694) as ACS-64 deliveries progress.
Actually, rumor is that the last engine will be numbered 670 and that one number in the sequence will be skipped. Of course Amtrak could still change its mind during the delivery phase; but at least for now 670 is supposed to be the highest number.
ericr
Train Attendant
I can see them doing that to reduce vandalism. I know highways that are numbered 666 (or some variant thereof) tend to get their signs stolen quite frequently. Not saying that someone will steal a engine, maybe graffiti.
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jis
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Amtrak apparently had a steam generator car numbered 666
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locoPicture.aspx?id=161538
which originally was a Diesel Engine:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locoPicture.aspx?id=161538
which originally was a Diesel Engine:
Code:
Railroad Number Type Builder B/N B/D Notes
AMTRAK 666 E9B/S-G EMD 20503 6/55 AMT 1916, 463; UP 963B
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Acela150
Super Buff
Thanks. But IF the HHP's last that long I can see the renumbering.. But the way things are going, it looks like AEM-7AC's will be the last of the current electrics..
NE933
Conductor
I've already missed 604, so I'll have go east if I want to see that one.Agent, he was really hustling there. Maybe with AU you'll be able to catch all 70 ACS units!
In the meantime, a couple more videos of 605 on the California Zephyr have cropped up. This one was filmed in Batavia, Iowa:
Personally, I'm hoping someone will upload a video of 605 on the detour in Wyoming. Also, I haven't found any videos of it on the Capitol Limited (if that's the train it took).
A
ACS-64
Guest
Heads Up
600 has finished testing at Pueblo, CO and plans are for it to head East on the Southwest Chief 4(11) from La Junta, CO. [Today's #4 originating in LAX, picking it up on the 12th, into Chicago on the 13th]
600 has finished testing at Pueblo, CO and plans are for it to head East on the Southwest Chief 4(11) from La Junta, CO. [Today's #4 originating in LAX, picking it up on the 12th, into Chicago on the 13th]
jis
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There is a report on TO that the special from Pueblo to LaJunta passed Avondale, and it also had a long string of Superliners in it. I wonder where the Superliners came from. The whole lot will apparently be hooked onto the SWC at La Junta
Acela150
Super Buff
Possibly testing the ACS with SL's???
That would be a sight to see!
Acela150
Super Buff
Ha! Yeah it would!!
I don't see what the purpose of that would be. Unless they wanted confirmation that a ACS-64 could pull Superliners as a test for the possibility of using ACS-64s to pull bi-level corridor cars on the CA HSR tracks someday.
The thought occurred to me when I was posting in the AAF/FEC thread. Does Amtrak need formal FRA approval before placing the ACS-64 in revenue service, well, if the basic approvals have not already been granted. Most of the FRA staff is on furlough with only the safety inspectors and accident investigators working. Could the government shutdown delay the deployment of the ACS-64s into service if there is no one to sign off on the test reports and grant approval for revenue service?
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