Trains.com

A video from the NEC & some questions

1452 views
6 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Atlanta
  • 11,971 posts
Posted by oltmannd on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 8:41 PM

Mario_v
1) I don't recal Marc having HHP8's, are these engines, or are least some, being transfered from amtrak ?

A snarky comment I heard from a consultant who happened to be in on the spec writing for their purchase - They wanted HHP8s for bragging rights, so they could claim the fastest commuter trains in the western hemisphere. They didn't really create faster schedules, just higher max speeds.

-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Atlanta
  • 11,971 posts
Posted by oltmannd on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 8:38 PM

Mario_v
3) On MARC trains a lot of diesels are visible running under the wires (mostly MP36s but also a Geep). Is that common practice ?

The last couple times I was up in that neck of the woods, that seemed to be the practice.  

-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Atlanta
  • 11,971 posts
Posted by oltmannd on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 8:37 PM

Overmod

Harmans is indeed just west (and south) of BWI airport.

MARC acquired their 6 HHP-8s new.

I think Acelas may have the tilt system disabled traversing this section of the "Penn Line" -- you do know it's just the cars, not the locomotives, that tilt?  I don't know if there are clearance problems as in western Connecticut.  I'm sure someone like D. Carleton will have better knowledge.

 

I thought the tilt lock-down was only between NYP and New Haven, but the tilt system is restricted to less than "normal" everywhere because the cars were built 4" too wide.  Even when they're at "full tilt", it's not that much.

-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • 3,231 posts
Posted by NorthWest on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 8:32 PM

Regarding MARC diesels, yes, most of their trains are powered by diesels. There have been rumors of MARC converting to diesel-only operation, but no official word yet.

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 21,669 posts
Posted by Overmod on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 1:58 PM

Harmans is indeed just west (and south) of BWI airport.

MARC acquired their 6 HHP-8s new.

I think Acelas may have the tilt system disabled traversing this section of the "Penn Line" -- you do know it's just the cars, not the locomotives, that tilt?  I don't know if there are clearance problems as in western Connecticut.  I'm sure someone like D. Carleton will have better knowledge.

  • Member since
    March 2016
  • From: Burbank IL (near Clearing)
  • 13,540 posts
Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 1:54 PM

MARC purchased six HHP8's new (4904-4909).

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 464 posts
A video from the NEC & some questions
Posted by Mario_v on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 1:00 PM

Hello all ;

Here's a nice video I found from the NEC, it seems to have ben taken really next to an airport (the exact location is Harmans, MD), because one can hear planes in take off ower from time to time (one of them a Boeing B777, those GE90 engines are really distinct, so it's possibly an international airport, with BWI being my best guess)

Here's the link : 

 

And now the questions :

1) I don't recal Marc having HHP8's, are these engines, or are least some, being transfered from amtrak ?

2) On MARC bilevels a blue light is visible on the car sides (next to the dors). what's the meaning of it? The same as the green lights on amtrak cars (brakes released) ?

3) On MARC trains a lot of diesels are visible running under the wires (mostly MP36s but also a Geep). Is that common practice ?

Also the cars sem to have a bouncy behaviour (from an european standpoint), an Aceas do not seem to be tilting thru the curve

Anyway, thanks in advance for the answers

 

 

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy