Going the way of the F40s?

[SchemerBob]

I read on www.4rr.com that the Dash 8-40BPs (some of you know these as "P40s" or "AMD-103s") have been mothballed and are out of service completely. While they were the engines that replaced the F40s, it looks as if their own cousins (P42DCs) have put THEM out of service!

I read that some of the reasons they took them out of service was out-of-date computer hardware and new fire and safety standards. How hard would it be to update these engines? And I wish Amtrak wouldn't do this yet. While the P42s and P32s will still be around (for a little while, I guess), one of the series may be gone. On Amtrak, at least. They're up for sale but so far no one has bought them. Would any commuter railroads buy these engines? Maybe, but somehow the Genesis doesn't seem much like a commuter engine, except the P32AC-DMs. I could hardly imagine them being run on Chicago's, Dallas' or Los Angeles' systems.

It seems like the F40 loss all over again.

[UPTRAIN]

I am trying to see how to go about getting number 800 before it's scrapped. Can anybody help me?

[oltmannd]

They load so slowly that they'd be marginal in commuter service unless the station stops are spaced out a good distance.

Metro North has some in commuter service, but, when an FL9 is your standard......

[Dutchrailnut]

Ok another opinion of someone who heard ??
I operate the engines on MNCR and the P40's are rockets compare to FL9 or P32acdm.
the bad thing is these P40's are wornout, they leak oil and smoke and are in bad shape.
pulling out of a station is like firing up mount st Helens.
MNCR/CDOT are leasing 8 units from Amtrak but in my opinion the lease won't last to long.

[Anonymous]

So, where do you buy them?[:p]

[oltmannd]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Dutchrailnut

Ok another opinion of someone who heard ??
I operate the engines on MNCR and the P40's are rockets compare to FL9 or P32acdm.
the bad thing is these P40's are wornout, they leak oil and smoke and are in bad shape.
pulling out of a station is like firing up mount st Helens.
MNCR/CDOT are leasing 8 units from Amtrak but in my opinion the lease won't last to long.

With MNCR maintaining them, I'm not surprised. Harmon is the absolute worst loco shop I've ever been to.

Sounds like all they need is a power assembly change out or maybe an engine overhaul. Not a huge deal. Do the trucks, couplers and draft gear while you're at it and your back in business for a few more years.

[Dutchrailnut]

Don you know nothing about GE's I see.
btw these units just had a overhaul by Amtrak and other than the Cabsignal, Harmon has not touched them.
these units are plain worn out.

[UPTRAIN]

They ran for 12 or so years, racked up almost twice as many miles per month as freight units, were GE's, and they're just worn out, Amtrak already tried the GE Rebuild Program...which is buy new units...and the P42's are already wearing out!

[oltmannd]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Dutchrailnut

Don you know nothing about GE's I see.
btw these units just had a overhaul by Amtrak and other than the Cabsignal, Harmon has not touched them.
these units are plain worn out.

I guess I know about as much about those GEs as you know about locomotive maintenance.[:D]

How can something that's just been overhauled be worn out? How can piston rings that are brand new be at the condemning limit?

[Dutchrailnut]

Your blaming Harmon on someting they did not do.
and You better check those power assemblies on a GE ??

[espeefoamer]

QUOTE: Originally posted by UPTRAIN

They ran for 12 or so years, racked up almost twice as many miles per month as freight units, were GE's, and they're just worn out, Amtrak already tried the GE Rebuild Program...which is buy new units...and the P42's are already wearing out!

Even if they are GEs they should'nt be worn out after 12 years.There must have some defective design involved somehow.An investigation should be made[:(!]!

[edbenton]

Remember when the F40PH was in service Amtrack go close to the amout of money they needed since the Genesis serieswas introduce Amtrack is on the verge of a full shutdown every year do to not getting enough money to keep everything in good repair. Amtrack has had to make decisions on what to repair and what to not repair and evidently locomotives are not to high on the list.

[Dutchrailnut]

Amtrak without a C

[oltmannd]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Dutchrailnut

Your blaming Harmon on someting they did not do.
and You better check those power assemblies on a GE ??

That was (is?) the problem. Harmon doesn't DO anything![:D]

[Dutchrailnut]

wow your responce is as fast as Bush administration.