Why does Amtrak Use 2 locomotives (P42’s) for it’s western long distance trains, and the capitol Limited? Why not 2 for the Cardinal? It is a long distance train. Is one loco using it’s HEP system to provide power to the cars and the other pulling? Are both pulling, and one using the HEP system the other not? Are Amtrak trains that heavey that they need 8,400hp to pull a 12 car train?
When Exiting the CZ at Chicago I noticed our 2nd P42 had only 546 gallons of fuel , I remember because I thought it was so odd. Why would Amtrak let us get so low on diesel? The lead P42 had 1,000 some odd gallons.
Thanks for answering my questions!
Justin
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The Capitol Limited has to negotiate the former B&O's Sand Patch grade in both directions. This is a helper district for many freight trains. On the flatland sections of CSX, Amtrak figures one unit is good for 8 cars in maintaining their schedules. Trains with one unit and more that 8 cars are given additional minutes of allowed delay when calculating their performance. With 12 cars to climb Sand Patch I am sure two units are required.
The Cardinal crosses the Allegheny mountains on the former C&O routing, which follow a more beneficial grade. I don't believe the Cardinal runs at 12 cars either.
I can't speak for the powering of Western Amtrak trains, however, there are significant grades to be conquered between Chicago and the West Coast on all routes. Amtrak does fuel their locomotives at enroute locations during their journey.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
It's likely the HEP was being furnished by the second unit, that would account for it having less fuel.
bubbajustinWhen Exiting the CZ at Chicago I noticed our 2nd P42 had only 546 gallons of fuel , I remember because I thought it was so odd. Why would Amtrak let us get so low on diesel? The lead P42 had 1,000 some odd gallons.
Probably if it had been winter time or bad weather (flooding) they might have refuled in Omaha. The reason for the difference in fuel quantities has to do with the 2nd unit providing the HEP and causing a higher fuel consumption for that unit. Electric power for the train is not free. Does anyone have a comparsion of fuel consumptions when the units used diesel to run the steam generator vs just traction?
Thanks All!
I can tell you that when I rode the Empire Builder from Portland to Chicago in January of 2008, after we were combined with the Seattle section in Spokane, we had four (4) P-42s on the head end and all were in use.
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