As far as I’m aware, these are going on most services with Metroliner cab cars. But I also did hear a report of the possibility of them on the Ethan Allen Express.
These been sitting in Wilmington since they were retired in "as ready" condition. They can't retire these as these aren't actually owned by Amtrak, they are owned by a leasing company instead.
Smart idea to convert the Hippos to cab cars. Just guessing, but am assuming that locomotive engineers will like having more space in them then what they had in the ex-Metroliner cars. Plus, in spite of their age they still have a "modern look" to them.
If only Amtrak knew how to deal with the issues. But the problem was that the locomotives were owned by a leasing company and as a result couldn’t be modified that much (if I remember correctly). MARC straight up owns theirs and were therefore able to refurbish their fleet.
Are they being gutted out to become cab cars or are they literally just coupling HHP-8s on the end of the train and just not putting power to them? I heard they're quickly running out of Metroliner cab cars and a lot of Keystone services have been running 2xACS-64s in push-pull instead. And to think the NEC is supposed to be one of the last to transition to the venture cars/Airo sets.
That’s a good deal of useless dead weight to be pushing or pulling. Ah well. Hopefully it won’t slow Keystone trains too much. It’ll have to do until all-new cars arrive.
They’re going to be using them as unpowered cab units (like the “cabbage” F40s) for routes that need push/pull capability like the Keystones. I think the plan is to use these instead of the ex-metroliner cab cars.
Bi-mode is a good idea but there is not enough space in such a small unit to install a 3,000 hp unit, next to the stock electrical propulsion equipment. Plus, Amtrak was trying to minimize costs. Retrofitting Tier-4 compliant diesels power plants to units that are almost 30 years old isn't economically feasible.
Honestly I’m not a fan of this whole HHP-8 cab car thing. I feel like there was an opportunity to send them to MARC or MBTA for them to have more electric fleet to work with on the NEC. It’s such a waste in my opinion, the acronym is literally “High Horse Power” but it doesn’t even draw power from overhead anymore 🤦🏽
Catch is that the "hippos" had reliability issues, even after they were addressed. Rather than letting them sit and decay, until the leasing company takes them back to scrap them; Amtrak is giving them a second lease on life that's very useful.
![Amtrak HHPC [HHP-8 Cab Car Conversion] & Avelia Liberty Test Trains @ Princeton Junction (2/8-9/24)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/vEkiHgcFQlo/mqdefault.jpg)
![Amtrak HHPC [HHP-8 Cab Car Conversion] & Avelia Liberty Test Trains @ Princeton Junction (2/8-9/24)](/img/tr.png)
Man, talk about a blast from the past.
Nice to see that these originally "no good locomotives" are getting a second lease on life
Indeed
turn them into baggage / cab car.
Amtrak took their old F40PH and turn them into baggage/cabcar.
Really cool to see! Nice catch!
As far as I’m aware, these are going on most services with Metroliner cab cars. But I also did hear a report of the possibility of them on the Ethan Allen Express.
Interesting. In terms of Amtrak Airos, Empire Service won't be getting cab cars. Maybe this is the start of a change of mind.
I didn't know Amtrak still had them, I thought they were completely retired.
These been sitting in Wilmington since they were retired in "as ready" condition. They can't retire these as these aren't actually owned by Amtrak, they are owned by a leasing company instead.
@@MidAtlanticTransitWatchone must be saved for preservation
Notice the pan is down, they’re all being converted to be used as cab cars.
turned into baggage/cabcar.
But still hhp8 returns i gues
What? The hhp-8 cap car has an E bell now? Interesting
same
The acelas also have an e bell
@@Josephcavagnaro yes, I know
I also hope that some will be used on the Empire Corridor with the dual-mode P32AC-DMs
I think it's Keystone and perhaps some Regional service for now
IT was since hhp8 amtrak was retired.
NICE! The metro liner got a Hybrid K5LA 🤓
(Tbh though the only thing left to the normal 2009-2039 Acela we have) they better take care of these
Although the E bell is kinda cursed, it still has its classic Hybrid K5LA. Awesome
If these are reentering service again soon which Amtrak routes will they be assigned to? I heard one idea was the Amtrak Ethan Allen route.
They will be on the Keystone Service
Cool ❤❤
Smart idea to convert the Hippos to cab cars. Just guessing, but am assuming that locomotive engineers will like having more space in them then what they had in the ex-Metroliner cars. Plus, in spite of their age they still have a "modern look" to them.
Fuck this! They should be refurbished and used as actual locomotives again!
If only Amtrak knew how to deal with the issues. But the problem was that the locomotives were owned by a leasing company and as a result couldn’t be modified that much (if I remember correctly). MARC straight up owns theirs and were therefore able to refurbish their fleet.
they are on keystone
Aww why the e-bell? I loved the physical bell
HHP 8 with an E-Bell, Nice
Are they being gutted out to become cab cars or are they literally just coupling HHP-8s on the end of the train and just not putting power to them? I heard they're quickly running out of Metroliner cab cars and a lot of Keystone services have been running 2xACS-64s in push-pull instead. And to think the NEC is supposed to be one of the last to transition to the venture cars/Airo sets.
Think everything is intact - just no pantograph.
That’s a good deal of useless dead weight to be pushing or pulling. Ah well. Hopefully it won’t slow Keystone trains too much. It’ll have to do until all-new cars arrive.
🎉🎉💪💪👍🤝🚂
It’s good to see the HHP-2 getting an e bell
8* actually, it’s in the title
Overbrook
Wait what I thought hhp8 don't go anymore
They were in storage.
they were in storage but amtrak decided to give them one last run before scrap or put back into storage to rot
They’re going to be using them as unpowered cab units (like the “cabbage” F40s) for routes that need push/pull capability like the Keystones. I think the plan is to use these instead of the ex-metroliner cab cars.
When are these running?
Yes these are but for now for testing and may show up in the future on the Keystone train near you.
Why did it get an e-bell?
modernized & rebuilt
Npcu 9750
haha NPCU hhp-8 xD.... NEW NPCUs!!!!!!!!!!!!
It would have been even better if they fitted a diesel engine on board an existing HHP-8 loco and convert it to bi-mode...
you're not going to fit a sufficiently large diesel engine plus the equipment for electric operation in that space
Bi-mode is a good idea but there is not enough space in such a small unit to install a 3,000 hp unit, next to the stock electrical propulsion equipment. Plus, Amtrak was trying to minimize costs. Retrofitting Tier-4 compliant diesels power plants to units that are almost 30 years old isn't economically feasible.
Honestly I’m not a fan of this whole HHP-8 cab car thing. I feel like there was an opportunity to send them to MARC or MBTA for them to have more electric fleet to work with on the NEC. It’s such a waste in my opinion, the acronym is literally “High Horse Power” but it doesn’t even draw power from overhead anymore 🤦🏽
Catch is that the "hippos" had reliability issues, even after they were addressed. Rather than letting them sit and decay, until the leasing company takes them back to scrap them; Amtrak is giving them a second lease on life that's very useful.
No no I get that, but MARC still runs that model. In my eyes, it would (somewhat) help their Penn Line service