Hiawatha's power

[Lithonia Operator]

I've noticed pix of the Hiawatha being pulled by a road-switcher, #500. Why is this type of loco used on that run?

[BaltACD]

Lithonia Operator

I've noticed pix of the Hiawatha being pulled by a road-switcher, #500. Why is this type of loco used on that run?

What era was the picture from?

In most any era, unexpected power on a train is because the usual power has failed and won't permit it to continue to operate the train, either to destination or to the next location that appropriate power is available.

[Lithonia Operator]

Don't know when engine was used, or if it still is. But it's painted for Amtrak; it's not a host-railroad unit.

https://www.google.com/search?source=univ&tbm=isch&q=amtrak+engine+%23500+photo&fir=KGdde1wHGgAyGM%252C0uXyXIDzWWf4LM%252C_%253B3ctEGQ7-XLTKmM%252CdhInN5FNON_5tM%252C_%253BBChEKcYcW0DcXM%252CaBdfnql1Dn6RgM%252C_%253BWVuagEFVlmIV7M%252CuSMTiBoJtngH2M%252C_%253B4gN01tdWQpMCEM%252CqmqRZ11pagYNYM%252C_%253BY31DTw0qmO609M%252C6iA8W_6P4BHJ5M%252C_%253BzVS2P6owAQnRUM%252CLY6MipABwi3yKM%252C_%253BYCf95rq8nWK7HM%252CC56TFXRhYNGNOM%252C_&usg=AI4_-kQeAD68CR2LWEWKnEylaE72tDu8aQ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj5_73nsuf1AhXxhHIEHTuUDPAQ7Al6BAgDEEU&biw=375&bih=621&dpr=2#imgrc=YCf95rq8nWK7HM

[Overmod]

That'll be a P32; I think they used to be known as 'Pepsi Cans'.

That is the last of the 'converted freight power' passenger engines from GE before the monocoque Genesis locomotives.  At one point they were common on the City of New Orleans...

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

The P32's (AMTK 500-519) were purchased as interim power pending delivery of the Genesis locomotives.  They started out in shorthaul service out of Chicago and later covered some of the West Coast trains.  Currently, they are primarily used as heavy switchers and protection power.  They have turned up on the "Coast Starlight".

[Lithonia Operator]

Thanks, guys.

[Electroliner 1935]

On one of my trips (in the '90's) using Amtraks All Aboard Amtrak that allowed almost unlimited milage, it included riding the Sunset Limited from Miami to L.A. Somewhere in Texas our lead unit went B.O. and a P32 was the 2nd unit. And it had the long hood forward. If I recall, we had to run at reduced track speed to El Paso where a UP loco was added. I remember seeing a few around Chicago but thing most were based out west.

 

[Lithonia Operator]

Electroliner 1935

On one of my trips (in the '90's) using Amtraks All Aboard Amtrak that allowed almost unlimited milage, it included riding the Sunset Limited from Miami to L.A. Somewhere in Texas our lead unit went B.O. and a P32 was the 2nd unit. And it had the long hood forward. If I recall, we had to run at reduced track speed to El Paso where a UP loco was added. I remember seeing a few around Chicago but thing most were based out west.

 

 

You're saying the BO unit was set out, and the P32 then led, with the long hood forward? I was wondering if in passenger service a road-switcher was allowed to lead with long hood forward. I'm wondering why the train had to run at reduced speed; could it be that it was now underpowered? Or could it be that long-hood-forward has a speed restriction, for forward-visibilty reasons, since the trackside signals would be on the wrong side.

[zugmann]

Lithonia Operator

Or could it be that long-hood-forward has a speed restriction, for forward-visibilty reasons, since the trackside signals would be on the wrong side.

Depending when it was (not sure when the regulations went into affect), lack of ditchlights/auxillary lights restricts you to 20mph over public xings. 

[Overmod]

I'm pretty sure the P32s have long-hood-end ditchlights.  The concern is more likely to involve the desktop control setup (no fun to run in reverse for a protracted period!), perhaps the perceived ride quality, and most probably I suspect the 900rpm restriction on engine rpm and sharing of the 12-cylinder hp involved with HEP, on a consist now down one 4000+hp locomotive.  I once heard the nominally 100-mph-capable Cans referred to as 'slower than snails in a tub of molasses' in that sort of circumstance, a useful metaphor...