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ACS-64s in transit, tests, & deliveries

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Wednesday, March 12, 2014 6:02 PM

Its 609 on Cal Z is still 7:30 late going to Denver. 

LINK:::

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYlixYrLSLs

 

 

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, March 18, 2014 10:24 PM

Reported that Amtrak is planning to ship  610  tomorrow (Wednesday ) on Train #6 CAL Z.  Roster may be 822,  610,  51 ? 

If so way to get  pictures  of two  different types  ( sort of )  of electrics running together

ccc
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Posted by ccc on Wednesday, March 19, 2014 12:39 AM

Do you mean 822?

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Friday, April 18, 2014 9:24 PM

Possible  #611 will  be on eastbound Saturday Cal Z ?

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Monday, April 21, 2014 8:30 AM

blue streak 1

Possible  #611 will  be on eastbound Saturday Cal Z ?

East bound 170, 611, 45 on CAL Z
 
 
 
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Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 10:32 PM

Several items about operations on the NEC.  NOTE:  All these reports are second hand and changes can happen  at any time.

1. Maybe Full acceptance of  600 - 602 south of NYP qualified but only 600 so far NYP - BOS ?

2.  All units running WASH - NYP only due to some modifications needed for NH line ?  Also keeps them closer to WASH and / or Bear.

3.  Often units are placed on NYP originations / terminations especially LD trains with their better pulling power of a longer train?

4.  MODs for Harrisburg not complete yet ?

5.  Report that the 18 car certification trip may be run next week ?  For some reason it may only be 16 cars and lead unit towing another ACS-64 simulating 2 cars?  Maybe second unit a escue motor in case of lead failure ?  No idea how the lack of HEP demand will be accounted  ?

6.  18 car certification scheduled to be BOS - WASH and maybe WASH - BOS ? as well ?  No train numbers yet but suspect will be an all daylight run(s) ? 

EDIT:  Forgot 603 - 605 are test running WASH -  NYP but not fully accepted ?

 

 

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 6:46 AM

611 arrived at 18th Street yesterday on the CZ and was parked there on this morning.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
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Posted by rcdrye on Monday, May 5, 2014 2:41 PM

611 was at the Boston Engine Terminal on April 30. 

 

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Friday, May 23, 2014 12:49 PM

Although always subject to changes  Amtrak #6  ( 26 ) leaving Emeryville scheduled to have  612 & 613  sandwiched between 2 P-42s.   Various reports have 600 -605 accepted with others going thru final testing.  However only 604 is conditionally approved NYP - BOS.  Anyone with information on why not operating most units on 12.5 & 25 KV AC ?  

 

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Posted by BaltACD on Friday, May 23, 2014 4:54 PM

Have observed the new units moving to DC on the Eastbound Capitol Limited - P030 on CSX.

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Sunday, May 25, 2014 4:44 PM

Unconfirmed report 612 & 613 sandwiched between 2 P-42s on 6 ( 25 ) which would place it on 30 (27 ).  Any confirmation and pictures ?

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 8:40 PM

blue streak 1

Unconfirmed report 612 & 613 sandwiched between 2 P-42s on 6 ( 25 ) which would place it on 30 (27 ).  Any confirmation and pictures ?

 
6 so late into Chicago that both 50 and 30 already left so 612 & 613 appear to overnight in Chicago.  Only other possibility is putting units on 48 ?
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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Wednesday, May 28, 2014 6:47 AM

612 and 613 are in Chicago this morning about a block or two north of 18th Street.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
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Posted by blue streak 1 on Friday, May 30, 2014 7:32 PM

600 - 606 all operated today at and south of NYP about 1/2 & 1/2 heavy load regionals and long distance.  Only report about north of NYP is that there still are some issues with the 60 Hz currents and ACSES which is slightly different New Haven - BOS from on PRR south of NYP track.

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Monday, June 2, 2014 2:50 PM

Unconfirmed Reports on other site say 612 & 613 have major damaged on ferry trip from CHI - WASH Capitol limited.  Train was over 6 hours late to WASH.   Anyone confirm ?

One unconfirmed report said MU lines incorrectly attached causing brakes to engage and wheels become overheated.  This report seems suspect ?

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Posted by Phoebe Vet on Monday, June 2, 2014 3:46 PM

From Trainorders.com:

 

Probably nobody asked because they assumed that big, bad evil CSX had stuck a  slow, lumbering freight train in front of the Capitol Limited.
Think again.
The reason for the delay was two of Amtrak's newest pieces of equipment,  deadheading ACS-64 electric locomotives AMTK 612 and 613.
The train started having problems with the ACS-64s after departing Toledo.   Upon arrival at Cleveland, the wheels of the deadheading engines were glowing orange.  Car inspectors approved continuing on to Pittsburgh.  Although the  engineer did not report an untoward "drag" on the train, conductors and passengers  noticed a lingering "burning smell."  It lingered into the last car of the train  all the way to Washington DC.  When the train arrived at Pittsburgh, nothing was  made about the problem.  The train departed and made it about twenty minutes  before the wheels locked up on the ACS-64s.  It blocked the main line at Rankin  for three hours.
Ultimately the train was almost six hours late into Washington DC.  Rumors are  that damage to the two ACS-64s is well into six figures and may approach a half  million dollars.

Dave

Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow

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Posted by BaltACD on Monday, June 2, 2014 4:41 PM

Phoebe Vet

From Trainorders.com:

 

Probably nobody asked because they assumed that big, bad evil CSX had stuck a  slow, lumbering freight train in front of the Capitol Limited.
Think again.
The reason for the delay was two of Amtrak's newest pieces of equipment,  deadheading ACS-64 electric locomotives AMTK 612 and 613.
The train started having problems with the ACS-64s after departing Toledo.   Upon arrival at Cleveland, the wheels of the deadheading engines were glowing orange.  Car inspectors approved continuing on to Pittsburgh.  Although the  engineer did not report an untoward "drag" on the train, conductors and passengers  noticed a lingering "burning smell."  It lingered into the last car of the train  all the way to Washington DC.  When the train arrived at Pittsburgh, nothing was  made about the problem.  The train departed and made it about twenty minutes  before the wheels locked up on the ACS-64s.  It blocked the main line at Rankin  for three hours.
Ultimately the train was almost six hours late into Washington DC.  Rumors are  that damage to the two ACS-64s is well into six figures and may approach a half  million dollars.

Amtrak had better be looking for some engineers and mechanical employees that have the knowledge and skills to protect the company's equipment.

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Posted by Deggesty on Monday, June 2, 2014 5:10 PM

Balt, are you going to apply?

Could this have been sticking brakes? If so, why were they sticking? Why would anyone with a modicum of knowledge as to what would heat the wheels have said, "OK, keep going"?

Johnny

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Posted by Deggesty on Monday, June 2, 2014 5:15 PM

I expect to take #30 from Chicago to Washington later this week; I hope there will be nothing to delay my arrival--of course, I would probably eat lunch in the diner if we are two hours or so late, but I will be meeting a cousin, in King George, Va., whom I never knew existed until about a year ago, and want to bring her up to date on our common ancestors (back to in the seventeenth century, when the immigrants came to Virginia).

Johnny

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Posted by BaltACD on Monday, June 2, 2014 8:42 PM

Deggesty

Balt, are you going to apply?

Could this have been sticking brakes? If so, why were they sticking? Why would anyone with a modicum of knowledge as to what would heat the wheels have said, "OK, keep going"?

I already have a job!  Thank you very much!

 

My observations of the current crop of 'new' operating employees makes me think they were hired from the 'mechanically declined' pool.  In generations gone by, new hires in many cases were looking for a way to get off the family farm; however, being raised on the farm they were forced to learn basic mechanics.  Today's new hires barely know which end of a wrench to use, let alone which direction to turn what they have the wrench attached to.

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, June 3, 2014 4:26 AM

Maybe we shoud wait for some definite information.  There could have been may reasons for an inspector to have gotten it right.  A few  --  traction motor hang up although highly unlikely on both units.  Air hose connections

incorrect  labeling.  Have seen old units that may have had MR hose connections in various configurations, piping swapped; connected wrong in Chicago;

At this time as said unconfirmed let us wait.

v

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, June 17, 2014 3:38 AM

# 614 reported on Monday's Capitol.  Arrive WASH Tuesday.

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Wednesday, June 25, 2014 5:55 PM

615 may be east bound on train #6 Thursday June 26th

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, July 1, 2014 8:04 AM

615 reported in bound to WASH on Train #30 today.

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Monday, July 7, 2014 10:33 PM

#616 reported being prepared for shipment east ?

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Wednesday, July 9, 2014 6:47 PM

blue streak 1

#616 reported being prepared for shipment east ?

 
Appears that 616 will leave EMY Friday morning ?  Testing going faster with  #614 scheduled out of BOS Thursday morning.  Suspect that problems of ACSES on the BOS end have been resolved.  May have 12 units in service very soon.  Retirements of HHPs going fast with 7 already reported out of service.  The AEM7s reportedly have only one retirement so far with the rest that are out of service being scrapped units. 
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Posted by NorthWest on Wednesday, July 9, 2014 7:40 PM

Thanks for keeping us updated. I suspect the retired AEM-7 is 925, which hit a truck in late June. I know of an AEM-7 going to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, but is there a plan to save an HHP-8? I'm just glad I got to see them.

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Wednesday, July 9, 2014 10:08 PM

Please take the following as very suspect.

7 scrapped AEM7s  --  Many for years

Retired 901  &  951

925 showed active but was previously reported retired.  (  maybe reactivated  ?  )

EDIT now 7 of 15 HHP8s all listed as retired probably due to major failure ?

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Posted by rcdrye on Thursday, July 10, 2014 7:06 AM

I rode behind 951 on regional 171 on April 30 - same day the CSX wall in Baltimore collapsed.  Rode from Boston to New York hearing some interesting griping on the radio.  Rode behind 953 on 20 same day New York Washington.  At WUS 951 was already dead-in-tow behind a diesel switcher. 

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Friday, July 11, 2014 12:41 PM

blue streak 1

#616 reported being prepared for shipment east ?

 
Unconfirmed report that 616 is leaving EMY at position 3 behind two P-42s ?

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