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Will Amtrak turn AEM-7s into cabbage cars?

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Posted by NorthWest on Monday, July 20, 2015 8:29 PM

Not really, as but for the running gear they are essentially Amfleets with cabs. An AEM-7 would be better in a collision because it is heavier, but the problem is $$$.

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Posted by MidlandMike on Monday, July 20, 2015 8:08 PM

Wouldn't those Metroliner cab cars be near the end of their lifespan?  Wouldn't an AEM-7 have better crash protection?

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Posted by NorthWest on Sunday, July 19, 2015 12:50 PM

I think it would, but there is really no reason for a conversion. The only route that uses them would fit NPCUs anyway, and the current Metroliner cab cars can be used for baggage since Amtrak doesn't allow them to be occupied by passengers anyway. I understand that any sort of AEM-7 conversion project is dead.

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Posted by D.Carleton on Sunday, July 19, 2015 12:06 PM

zkr123

Now that the AEM-7's are being retired, will we see them become high speed cabbages?

That had been the plan initially when the ACS-64s were ordered. Nothing has been mentioned since. Can the carbody of an AEM-7 accomotade a large door opening without compromising its structual integrity?

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Posted by MidlandMike on Saturday, July 18, 2015 11:06 PM

I was just thinking of the electrified zone.  Thanks.

Without much electrified push-pull operation there does not seem to be much need for an AEM7 cabbage car, although it would be neat to see one on the Keystones.

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Posted by NorthWest on Thursday, July 16, 2015 8:46 PM

It depends on whether or not you consider the Springfield connector trains as NEC trains. Otherwise, the Keystones are it.

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Posted by MidlandMike on Thursday, July 16, 2015 8:32 PM

Other than the NY-Harrisburg trains, do any other Amtrak NEC trains run push-pull?

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Posted by Wizlish on Wednesday, July 15, 2015 4:31 PM

blue streak 1
It might be possible that because the AEM-DCs were not compatible to the throttles of current locos.  Now the -ACs may be different but--- ? ? 

I can think of a number of reasons a 'neutered' AEM-7 wouldn't be as useful a cabbage candidate as an F40.  But surely the 'remote' throttle and control arrangement isn't one of those things!

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Wednesday, July 15, 2015 12:45 PM

It might be possible that because the AEM-DCs were not compatible to the throttles of current locos.  Now the -ACs may be different but--- ? ?  

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Posted by NorthWest on Wednesday, July 15, 2015 11:26 AM

No. They are being scrapped, and there is no reason to make more. If they need any more cab cars, they will rebuild more Metroliners.

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Will Amtrak turn AEM-7s into cabbage cars?
Posted by zkr123 on Wednesday, July 15, 2015 9:03 AM

Now that the AEM-7's are being retired, will we see them become high speed cabbages?

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