Starting a thread to list the units in going east.. Please report your sightings ! !#604 is reported on Capitol Limited #30 scheduled to arrive WASH today ( Tuesday Sep 3rd )
Also report when the first revenue service is sighted. Suspect first runs will be double headed with an AEM-7. ? ? Well that did not happen. ran just with the one loco.
Slightly off topic. The Amtrak performance report for July disclosed that an AEM-7DC would not go into overhaul that had been scheduled. Maybe already anticipating new motors will be reliable ? ?
Saw report elsewhere that official acceptance of ACS-64 will occur Friday Nov 15th. Anyone with more confirmation ?
blue streak 1 ACS-64 606 reported east bound on Cal Z #6 this morning, Does anyone have confirmation?
# 601 reported east bound on SWC . Get your pictures!
The present rotten weather coming would be a perfect time for the builder to conduct operation test on the NEC pulling a fully 18 car rated consist. Surely Amtrak could loan enough cars to run these tests ? Such a test might highlight an unforeseen problems much quicker ? excuse underlining puter glich.p
Another forum indicated an ACS-64 pulled a consist to BOS the last couple days. Any truth ? ?
It concerns me that there are not a whole bunch of tests going on to see if they will handle this powder snow.
Amtrak to start building a new facility for servicing the ACS-64s in Wilmington. This will be an additional facility so wonder what the need for more space is ? Maybe going to keep some AEM-7s ?
http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20140131/NEWS/301310037/Amtrak-rolling-toward-fall-construction-cleanup-start-maintenance-hub?gcheck=1&nclick_check=1
ACS #600 first revenue trip Friday BOS - WASH on 171 ( Lynchburg ). Ran very close to on time however what can you expect with many VIPs on board ? Will be operating WASH - NYP one RT a day until further notice. No double heading with any other units.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89q0BIhfJYU
Here is Amtrak announcement that was published Thursday. With these motors slowly going into service maybe the extra motors will prevent many delays and cancellations ?
Note it was motor #600 first in service.
LINK:
NEW AMTRAK LOCOMOTIVES READY FOR SERVICE AND SET TO POWER NORTHEAST ECONOMY Advanced technology keeps region connected and on the move; New era of mobility begins Feb. 7 WASHINGTON – When Amtrak Northeast Regional #171 departs Boston on Feb. 7, a new era of mobility will begin as the first of 70 new advanced technology electric locomotives enters revenue service. The modern equipment provides more reliable and efficient service for passengers, and will power the Northeast region’s economic growth and continued prosperity. “Amtrak is integral to the daily life of the Northeast and the new locomotives will keep the people and businesses of the region connected and on the move,” said Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman. “New equipment ensures Amtrak can deliver the reliable service the region depends on and supports the growth of the region as America’s economic powerhouse.” “Beyond improved reliability of service, the new locomotives represent a prudent business decision to invest in the future of the Northeast region and better position Amtrak to support ridership growth in the coming years,” said Amtrak Chairman Tony Coscia. The new locomotives will serve as the strong workhorses of Amtrak Northeast Corridor operations, power all Northeast Regional and long-distance trains between Washington, New York and Boston, and match existing trip-times at speeds up to 125 mph. Eventually, they also will operate on the Keystone Service between New York, Philadelphia and Harrisburg, Pa. The Siemens-built electric locomotives, known as the Amtrak Cities Sprinter, are being assembled at its solar-powered rail manufacturing plant in Sacramento, Calif. The equipment includes parts built from Siemens plants in Norwood, Ohio, Alpharetta, Ga., and Richland, Miss., and nearly 70 other suppliers, representing more than 60 cities and 23 states. “We are extremely proud to serve as a rail technology partner for Amtrak,” said Michael Cahill, President of Siemens Rail Systems in the U.S. “Through our teamwork with Amtrak, we -more- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 6, 2014 ATK-14-016 Media Contact: Amtrak: 202 906.3860 Siemens: 202 730.1013 -2- ATK-14-016 are not only delivering improved performance, we’re boosting American manufacturing. Our innovation, expertise and proven technology are helping transportation operators across the country keep the economy moving.” The new locomotives are designed for improved reliability and easier maintenance leading to faster turn-around times and increased availability for service. A state-of-the-art microprocessor system performs self-diagnosis of technical issues, takes self-corrective action and notifies the locomotive engineer. In addition, there are redundant systems to ensure power is maintained to the passenger cars to keep heating and cooling systems working, the lights on and the doors operational. The locomotives also meet the latest federal rail safety regulations, including crash energy management components. Furthermore, the locomotives are energy efficient and use a regenerative braking system to feed energy back into the power grid. Together, the 70 locomotives could save over 3 billion- kilowatt hours of energy and could result in more than $300 million in savings over 20 years. The new locomotives will replace older equipment that have between 25 and 35 years of service and average mileage of more than 3.5 million miles traveled with some approaching 4.5 million miles. Amtrak expects to have several more new locomotives enter revenue service in the coming weeks and then will receive monthly delivery of the remaining units through 2015.
Here is video of first train at Elizabeth, NJ. note: at end there are a bunch of pictures and videos at the end of the presentation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLqqVqW_jgQ
Another video. Note: a couple points.
1. The headlights and ditch are high intensity LED. Their sequence is interesting as well.
2. With sound turned up the Motors when starting out appear to go thru some sort of automatic transition ? As well when slowing the regenerative braking seems to provide some sounds. An HI-FI audio recording would probably give more details ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMyoVVAr3-U&feature=youtu.be
On railroad.net there has been a post that #601 and if not available #602 is scheduled to pull an 18 car non revenue test train from NYP - WASH Friday FEB 14.
The predicted snow storm may postpone this trip however IMHO that would be a perfect test time.
An 18 car test train will be required sometime to meet contract performance specifications.
Maybe some one at Trains magazine can either confirm or debunk this rumor ?
Further tests are Feb 18th WASH - BOS. Feb 19th BOS - WASH and if no problems conditionally accepted Feb20th.
Now reported that 18 car test annulled due to weather.
Looks like they do okay in the snow...
http://youtu.be/75N1cTFZQek
-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/)
reported that 601 tentatively planned to run 18 car test Wednesday Feb 19th. WASH - NY - BOS and return.
Now unconfirmed report that #601 will depart with 18 car train WASH 0815 AM Tuesday and 0915AM Wednesday Boston - WASH.
Running solo at Newark Penn station.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29997762@N05/12644048784
THANKS
Best picture that I found of 601 pulling a 4 car train.
Sorry had to redo link as puter made me do an operator error.
http://ppcdn.500px.org/61589993/793cace7edf2440ecf83005aced2db07492c9f71/4.jpg
600 at Newark ( EWR ) airport station. also many additional photos and videos of different ACS-64s. acceleration appears decent ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnGwOiq0Wds
Report that # 6 Cal Z is heading east today with consist of 144. 608, 607,153 from Emeryville east bound.
blue streak 1 Report that # 6 Cal Z is heading east today with consist of 144. 608, 607,153 from Emeryville east bound.
The Cabbage on the second train is interesting, being in Caltrain colors with Amtrak California decals. I think it is an ex-Amtrak unit.
Cabbage numbers are 90 + original F40 number. Trailing Cabbage 90225 was (2nd) Amtrak 225, part of the original F40 order built in April 1976. (1st Amtrak 225 was ex-L&N E8 795, renumbered 442 when the F40s arrived)
The ACS64's seem to handle being between the P42s on train 6 pretty well. Do they have the same diesel control capabilities the HHP8's were built with?
607 turned up this morning (02/28/14) at 18th Street in Chicago en route to the NEC.
blue streak 1 Here is a you tube of them out of Emeryville. Also next train is a view of the Comet cars train running into Emeryville. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGsWjGtumYI
I think you are going to have to re-upload that clip. It has audio but no video.
Unconfirmed reports that 609 and / or 60 will be coming on CAL Z in a few days.
600 and 601 are in service with others still going thru acceptance. Many software changes are slowing acceptance.
One HHP-8 ( 656 ? ) reported to be going to Wilmington dead not to be reactivated due to major problems.
Have a report that 609 or 610 is on the late CAL Z that left Emeryville today. Cal Z was late due to broken bolster on dinning car. Running about 7 Hr late.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.