HEP/CC converted from a F7A ?

[timthechef]

I live in Brunswick MD and we have a engine on the roster of Marc rail that say's it's a HEP/CC converted from an F7A. The engine still looks like a F7, but dose anyone know what a HEP/CC is?

[AntonioFP45]

Tim,

I'm sure someone can explain better than I, but I can give you at least a little info:

I can tell you for certaint that the "HEP" portion stands for "Head End Power", which means this locomotive can pull modern passenger equipment.

In the past, diesel locomotives designated for passenger service were equipped with a boiler or "steam generator" to power the heating, AC, and electrical devices in passenger cars. If you ever noticed in old movies on t.v, where there are passenger trains sitting at a station, you see steam rising up from underneath the cars. Each car had large black "steam hoses" which connected to each other to form a link to the locomotives boiler.

Beginning in the mid-70s on Amtrak, Budd passenger cars came equipped with Head End Power setups which meant that the locomotive, through its own diesel or a separate engine, provided direct electrical power to the passenger cars through an electrical or "HEP" setup on the locomotives. This was deemed more efficient than the boilers though Amtrak had quite a few "teething problems" with HEP.

I was on the Silver Meteor in 1995 when the HEP conked out twice with the train having to stop each time and the conductor and engineer working to get it going. HEP was very hard on Amtrak F40 locomotives as the the engines were constantly running at high revs just to keep the HEP active. The new Genesis locomotives eliminated that problem.

One thing that seemed amusing for years is that the Canadians continued with boilers for years and reported few problems! I'm assuming that by now, VIA is using HEP.

Hope this helps! [8)][C):-)]

[M636C]

Tim,

The CC stands for Control Cab. So the unit (No 7100), can operate as cab car on the back of a train, and provide train heating and lighting as well. Some years ago, I saw this unit being used with a CSX geep on MARC trains, since it provided all that was needed for a commuter train except propulsion power.

7100 was interesting in that the HEP equipment was installed exactly as in MARC's powered F units, so it could be converted back to a locomotive with HEP if needed. It didn't have any rooftop radiator fans, so if you couldn't see the number, the lack of roof fans was an indication that it was 7100 and not one of the powered F units.

I havent been to DC for years, but I'd be pleased to see 7100 again if it's still there!

Peter

[timthechef]

this is #7100! We have been talking about it at the Brunswick Railroad Museum Forum since it arrived in town last weekend. And the arrival of an old CSX GEEP that is still painted in C&O colors was noted at the same time. Thanks for the info I'll make a quick post in the other forum to pass this info on. Come and join us if your interested in DC area train watching!

[M636C]

Tim,

Since I live about 15000 miles away, it's not likely I'll be back too often. I live in Canberra, the Australian equivalent of Washington DC. It's good that 7100 has survived, but it was nice to see it at Union Station. It had style that the modern units just don't have. I saw it on my first visit to DC, and it was still there last time I visited, in 1997,
Look after it for me, and I'll drop by next time I'm in the area!

Peter