Amtrak P40 predictions

[Amtrak_Titan]

 Make your predictions on the P40 future. What railroads do you think might purchase a P40?

[trainboyH16-44]

Simply? None. The -8 line has outstayed its welcome. EPA regs say that you have to buy something more environmentally friendly, and GE hasn't even produced a P40/42 for quite some time!

[K&ARailfan]

Some will be displayed, some made to be cleaner (although I can't see someone buying one instead of a new locomotive), some made into slugs, and the rest will see the torch. Sounds alot the the F40PH, dosen't it?

[Amtrak_Titan]

 Maybe Amtrak California might purchase one of them just like when Amtrak California purchased two Superliners from Amtrak.

[EJE818]

I think the best chance for the P40s would be a commuter railroad. They aren't that old, so I can't see them just sitting around forever!

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

I think the best chance for the P40s would be a commuter railroad. They aren't that old, so I can't see them just sitting around forever!

A bit unlikely since most suburban operators use motive power with EMD engines and the MPXpress line by MPI uses EMD engines.

[ouengr]

I think that we will see them recycled into toasters into the future.  Personally I think that they are the ugliest locomotvies of all time.  I will be interested to see what the new power for Amtrak will look like with both EMD and GE dropping passenger power.  MPI would be my best bet for new power but who knows.

[espeefoamer]

It's hard to believe that the P40s are not 15 years old yet,and they are already all out of service.It doesn't give much hope for the longevity of the P42s does it?

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

It's hard to believe that the P40s are not 15 years old yet,and they are already all out of service.It doesn't give much hope for the longevity of the P42s does it?

The P40's are out of service because they are surplus power.  Excess motive power was purchased in anticipation of additional mail & express schedules that were never established after David Gunn discontinued the express operation.

[Amtrak_Titan]

I heard that MBTA is going to purchase new locomotives and cars. Maybe they might purchase a P40DC from Amtrak.

[stmtrolleyguy]

It would look horrible with our bilevel coaches.

Also, we're still using the f40s, with a number of recent rebuilds. 

Amtrak can keep the  p40s, we don't want em!

 

Besides, with the quanitiy of replacement locomotives that the MBTA needs, it would be more worth the money to buy new locomotives. 

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

I would think that MBTA would not purchase any P40's primarily because they don't have 645 or 710 engines inside them.  MPI will probably get any order for replacement power.

[Southwest Chief]

Enough of the rumor mill, time for some actual facts.

New Jersey Transit has at least 5 former Amtrak P40s already in New Jersey Transit colors.  Take a look:

4802 

808 

810 

812 

820 

[HarveyK400]

If they don't weigh more than 263,000 lbs, they might find a new life in Metra UP North and Northwest services.  UP maintains GE locos in Chicago, so compatibility wouldn't be an issue.  The extra horses would be helpful with longer 8-10 car trains, especially on the NW Line with sustained 3/4% grades.

P40s would provide some much-needed variety from a Chicago fan's standpoint. 

North Western Station and Galena Subdivision could handle a Class-H with 288,000 lbs on drivers; so anything Metra could get would work on the West Line.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

If they don't weigh more than 263,000 lbs, they might find a new life in Metra UP North and Northwest services.  UP maintains GE locos in Chicago, so compatibility wouldn't be an issue.  The extra horses would be helpful with longer 8-10 car trains, especially on the NW Line with sustained 3/4% grades.

P40s would provide some much-needed variety from a Chicago fan's standpoint. 

North Western Station and Galena Subdivision could handle a Class-H with 288,000 lbs on drivers; so anything Metra could get would work on the West Line.

The weight restrictions on the North Line would preclude operation on any of the former C&NW lines if the P40's are heavier than the weight mentioned above.  Suburban equipment for all three lines is in a common pool which is why you don't see MP36's on the West Line.