I don’t think Amtrak will replace the p42s with chargers. I don’t think that was their plan. I think pan am just needed some help so they had Amtrak help out
God…..that was such a crappy night lol. The eastbound freight train EDPO that was ahead of the Downeaster broke in half while going thru Dover. My friend had to “rescue” them! He took his engine, P42 153 and shoved the EDPO’s 18 cars into the clear on the No. 2 track siding! Then he got a Rule 241 which is dispatcher permission from us (I was dispatching at Pan Am at the time) to pass a stop signal to go back to their train. What a night. He had that he saw railfans out here seeing him shove the freight cars!
So this _was_ Dover! I thought it kinda looked like the intersection right next to the station, but some of the streets weren't lining up the way they should have, so I wasn't 100% sure.
Amtrak has a lot of cooperation with freight companies anyway since Amtrak needs track to ride on, and they sure aren't going to make all their own track
@@halc.2899 yes, but they're not going to wait for a broken train to be cleared. Most rail carriers will work together in situations like this. There's a lot of money that goes around in rail. They pay per car and mile to use the track, they pay each other to help them out when needed, and these fees are all negotiated well in advance. There are rates for delays, as well. If your train is running slowly and causing delays for other traffic, you are getting charged per minute for each delay you cause. The amounts are not large, but it adds up. It is likely advantageous for that freight carrier to just pay Amtrak whatever the negotiated charge is to move that broken train out of the way, rather than be charged by whomever owns that track, as well as the other train operators that are using that rail, for the delays that they cause.
@@mrplanebuthedied6165 I'm certain the locomotive didn't struggle with those few cars. Even if fully loaded with high speed gearing. Amtrak crews don't have experience moving freight cars so they took their time.
This shouldn't be surprising. After all, the P42DCs were designed to pull freight as well. Amtrak used to do freight up until the 2000s. One of the three antennas on the roof is for the "Rear-of-Train Device" (The stick with a flashing light that you see at the end of a freight train).
They were never designed to pull freight. They are geared and set up for passenger speeds. A locomotive can pull anything you want. But a freight locomotive is geared for starting effort and lower speeds, a Passenger locomotive the opposite. Amtrak was never officially in the freight business ever ("technically"), and when the P40's were ordered this wasn't even a discussion. They simply hauled what is known as LCL (Less than car load) shipments. This was to get around the fright train rules. And these "freight" cars were always on passenger trains outside the corridor. The cars were known as Material Handling Cars, or MHC's. Again, this was to get around the "freight" term. But the P42's were never configured for this purpose. The EOTD (End of train device) antenna was for the Auto train. Amtrak used a battery powered self contained marker with no radio (either one or two way) on the back of their Express package cars. They never met the federal requirement for needing an actual EOTD. Only a simple FRED (Flashing Read End Device)
@@FFred-us9tw Thanks for clarifying that. So, the same thing applies to the F40s or any Amtrak locomotive for that matter. I don't think the F40s had an EOTD antenna, but the fact that the Genesis have one gave me the impression that freight (although not legally called freight like you said) was part of the design. Also, the "Amtrak P42 Locomotive Overview" video (ruclips.net/video/SRValOA7TZo/видео.html) gave me the same impression, especially the part that talks about the brakes.
the GE dash 8s were freight geared locomotives made to house a HEP gen to run the units on things like city of New Orleans southwest cheif Coast starlight Empire Builder ect..
@@jeffskene42 If when you say Dash 8 you are talking about the Amtrak Dash 8-32BWH, these were definitely not freight Locomotives. They were geared for passenger speeds (103MPH vs 70MPH) and acceleration. They also had features that were unique to passenger service. They were purpose built for Amtrak. And they did not have a separate HEP generator. Internally they were the same as the P40s. The HEP was powered off a separate winding in the traction alternator. Remember, Amtrak never order them. G produced them to compensate for delays in delivering the original Genesis series. These we’re basically P 40s in a non streamlined frame
*Other freight engines laughing*😂😂😂 "Wow! Who knew a passenger engine can do our work for us." P42: *Blushing* "OH, SHUT UP you guys!"....😳 "If you work freight engines were around i wouldn't be doing this."
The only thing unusual is that it's a Amtrak locomotive. What most people don't understand is that P42 locomotives are rated at 4,250 horsepower. It's more than capable of moving freight trains.
I was stuck for hours on a downeaster once because a freight train in front of us broke down, I wish our train just coupled to the other one to push it out of the way
They were in the freight business, I worked a dedicated freight job in Oakland, CA., all we did was switch Amtrak express freight, had a fleet of 50’, 60’, Reefer and road railers, plus we had our own SW1500, small yard and switched a 9 spot warehouse multiple times in a 24hr period.
Hi from england wow that was unbelievable well done p42 american icon tell you what i won't be rushing over the "pond"to see those horrific chargers I'll remember mý time's riding behind p42s for the rest of my life love them!!!
I never saw the Amtrak P42 diesel locomotive push the freight train before!!!!! Not only that I see the Amtrak P42 diesel locomotive pull the regular Amtrak coaches, Amtrak double decker coaches, luggage 🧳🛅 cars, dining cars or sleeping cars!!!!!
This reminds me of a few instances documented around Chicagoland. In 2009 or so an outbound Metra train had an MP36's generator fail. It couldn't pull its train, but it could provide head end power. So the whole train was pushed by a following Wisconsin and Southern freight train with 3 SD40s. They made all the station stops, and I think the SD40s were being controlled from the cab of the MP36. There is video of this here on RUclips. More recently, a CP intermodal train with only one locomotive stalled on some grade and it was banked by Metra#420, another MP26 with its passenger consist still in tow.
While this video gives me ideas of what a P42 would look like in shortline freight service after Via and Amtrak retire them, they are so optimized for passenger hauling that I know it will never happen...
Great catch. Since freight owns the rails, I guess Amtrak gets to clean up the mess if they want to clear the route. The uninitiated often ask, "Why can't Amtrak keep a time schedule??". Here we have example A.
I betcha that's hard on the P42. Some are saying it like a Dash 9 in passenger carbody. Okay I'm not a mechanical expert. But I do know passenger locomotive is geared different then a freight locomotive. I also know the engine of a Dash 9 occuplies way more of the engine room in the long hood then a P40/P42. The back half of a P42 is pretty open space with a few appliances.
When put in freight mode, the prime mover slows to normal freight idle, that’s why you don’t hear a HEP generator. Normal HEP idle is 900 rpm, standby is 600 rpm. Max RPM in HEP mode is 900 rpm, max RPM in freight mode is 1050 rpm.
Amtrak is finally getting back at the freight railroads for stealing their trains (if you don’t know what I’m talking about, I’m talking about when freight locomotives have to pull Amtrak)
I have seen Amtrak locomotives hauling autorack carriages behind the regular passenger load, on RUclips videos. I therefore find it no surprise that these P42's can do a bit of local shunting of freight cars. How else would they put together an autorack plus passenger car train? Often the locomotives running the train have to do work similar to what is seen in this video. They probably wouldn't want to move too many freight cars at one time, but if they can move autoracks, they can move freight cars, too! :D
wow, usually amtrak is calling other railroads to borrow an engine to get their equipment home, must have been fun to do it the other way around this time makes sense, it is a 4400 hp locomotive just like a freight engine, it has different gearing, some extra power draw, and extra equipment freight engine doesnt have, but it can get the job done. unless it breaks down too.
Could you imagine if the freight train was carrying a load of fruits and other foods while the P42 Amtrak diesel locomotive was pushing it going so fast, being in a hurry and accidentally crashing into the buffers, rocks and mountains?
Do Amtrak operate freight trains or just passenger services always impressed with the large Amtrak coaches so much larger than our British rolling stock with limited loading guage 🚆
A P42 is nothing like a Dash 9 other than sharing the same brand and basic prime mover. Dash 9's were never made in a 4 axle version and never made with 4,200HP. Totally different traction control system, radically different structure (A Dash 9 has a frame, a P42 does not) And that's just the beginning of the differences. Their are dozens of GE's and EMD's models (respective of their brands) that share the same prime movers and are DC but that doesn't even begin to make them close to being "the same"
So this is what they're going to with the P42's now that the chargers are arriving lmao, nice video.
P42 are strong has fuck
@@movethebox1503 a good 4200hp
Shiiit as long as we can still see them idc! The Genesis is one of the most awesome looking engines out there. SD-7 and 9’s are my other favorites.
I don’t think Amtrak will replace the p42s with chargers. I don’t think that was their plan. I think pan am just needed some help so they had Amtrak help out
Maybe
"A Freight train! A freight train! Oh! The shame of it, the shame of it!"
😂😂😂 Gordon from Thomas the Tank Engine 🤣🤣🤣
The Amtrak is like Gordon
P42: "I'm a passenger engine I'm not meant to shunt dirty freight cars! Oh the indignity!! Who left these here anyway?!!!"
Yesss! 😂😂
Role Reversal, Usually freight loco's have to rescue Amtrak, this time Amtrak rescues freight train.
God…..that was such a crappy night lol. The eastbound freight train EDPO that was ahead of the Downeaster broke in half while going thru Dover.
My friend had to “rescue” them! He took his engine, P42 153 and shoved the EDPO’s 18 cars into the clear on the No. 2 track siding!
Then he got a Rule 241 which is dispatcher permission from us (I was dispatching at Pan Am at the time) to pass a stop signal to go back to their train.
What a night. He had that he saw railfans out here seeing him shove the freight cars!
This whole situation sounds like if Jerry Seinfeld wrote an episode of late-CGI era, pre-BWBA Thomas & Friends
So this _was_ Dover! I thought it kinda looked like the intersection right next to the station, but some of the streets weren't lining up the way they should have, so I wasn't 100% sure.
I didn't realize there was such cooperation between Amtrak and freight carriers. Remarkable catch.
Well, it was single track! Amtrak wasn’t gonna get to Portland Maine unless the freight cars were pushed or pulled outta the way!
Amtrak has a lot of cooperation with freight companies anyway since Amtrak needs track to ride on, and they sure aren't going to make all their own track
They want it out of their way.
Amtrak will wait for freight trains that have priority over people movers. It happened to me on the California Zephyr in 2022 on Donner Pass CA.
@@halc.2899 yes, but they're not going to wait for a broken train to be cleared. Most rail carriers will work together in situations like this. There's a lot of money that goes around in rail. They pay per car and mile to use the track, they pay each other to help them out when needed, and these fees are all negotiated well in advance. There are rates for delays, as well. If your train is running slowly and causing delays for other traffic, you are getting charged per minute for each delay you cause. The amounts are not large, but it adds up. It is likely advantageous for that freight carrier to just pay Amtrak whatever the negotiated charge is to move that broken train out of the way, rather than be charged by whomever owns that track, as well as the other train operators that are using that rail, for the delays that they cause.
Nobody:
8 year old me putting an amtrak passenger locomotive on a freight consist: 3:37
“Damn son, where did you find that?”
Seeing an Amtrak engine pull freight is extremely rare
Well I never saw the Amtrak pull the freight train before
Normal freight cars yeah, but Amtrak used to have their own freight cars.
@@Maximilian7992 They still do. MOW cars.
except for when your mother rides.
Back in the early 2000's, Norfolk Southern leased some Amtrak F40PH's for freight service.
Teacher: the test is not that confusing!
The test: 4:27
It's a freight motor now. I guess that would make it's new model designation F42DC. LOL!
This shows that the p42’s can do more than pull passenger trains
There just funny looking dash 8's
They would just need 2 two of them to go back to back to do any extensive shunting moves.
Sure the P42 can do it, but they're not necessarily suited to the task of moving freight with their passenger gearing.
P42: *intensfully struggles*
@@mrplanebuthedied6165
I'm certain the locomotive didn't struggle with those few cars. Even if fully loaded with high speed gearing. Amtrak crews don't have experience moving freight cars so they took their time.
Nice catch on #29! That was the first P42 I ever caught on tape all the way back on July 20, 2008.
Amtrak pulling freight occasionally is really an appealing idea
They tried it in late 90’s to about 2009ish, maybe a bit later. Freight reads were t happy and it eventually ended.
God damn that's just a series of bizarre events.
This shouldn't be surprising. After all, the P42DCs were designed to pull freight as well. Amtrak used to do freight up until the 2000s. One of the three antennas on the roof is for the "Rear-of-Train Device" (The stick with a flashing light that you see at the end of a freight train).
They were never designed to pull freight. They are geared and set up for passenger speeds. A locomotive can pull anything you want. But a freight locomotive is geared for starting effort and lower speeds, a Passenger locomotive the opposite. Amtrak was never officially in the freight business ever ("technically"), and when the P40's were ordered this wasn't even a discussion. They simply hauled what is known as LCL (Less than car load) shipments. This was to get around the fright train rules. And these "freight" cars were always on passenger trains outside the corridor. The cars were known as Material Handling Cars, or MHC's. Again, this was to get around the "freight" term. But the P42's were never configured for this purpose. The EOTD (End of train device) antenna was for the Auto train. Amtrak used a battery powered self contained marker with no radio (either one or two way) on the back of their Express package cars. They never met the federal requirement for needing an actual EOTD. Only a simple FRED (Flashing Read End Device)
@@FFred-us9tw Thanks for clarifying that. So, the same thing applies to the F40s or any Amtrak locomotive for that matter. I don't think the F40s had an EOTD antenna, but the fact that the Genesis have one gave me the impression that freight (although not legally called freight like you said) was part of the design. Also, the "Amtrak P42 Locomotive Overview" video (ruclips.net/video/SRValOA7TZo/видео.html) gave me the same impression, especially the part that talks about the brakes.
@@FFred-us9tw FRED stands for something different on my railroad lol
the GE dash 8s were freight geared locomotives made to house a HEP gen to run the units on things like city of New Orleans southwest cheif Coast starlight Empire Builder ect..
@@jeffskene42 If when you say Dash 8 you are talking about the Amtrak Dash 8-32BWH, these were definitely not freight Locomotives. They were geared for passenger speeds (103MPH vs 70MPH) and acceleration. They also had features that were unique to passenger service. They were purpose built for Amtrak. And they did not have a separate HEP generator. Internally they were the same as the P40s. The HEP was powered off a separate winding in the traction alternator. Remember, Amtrak never order them. G produced them to compensate for delays in delivering the original Genesis series. These we’re basically P 40s in a non streamlined frame
Because this is at night, I'd imagine there was quite a lot of confusion and delay.
Well Sir Topham Hatt would say to the P42 Amtrak diesel locomotive, "Amtrak! I am not going to argue with you! Push the freight train!!!!! Now!!!!!"
*Other freight engines laughing*😂😂😂
"Wow! Who knew a passenger engine can do our work for us."
P42: *Blushing* "OH, SHUT UP you guys!"....😳
"If you work freight engines were around i wouldn't be doing this."
The only thing unusual is that it's a Amtrak locomotive. What most people don't understand is that P42 locomotives are rated at 4,250 horsepower. It's more than capable of moving freight trains.
Yep, but i'd imagine they would suffer a lot of wheel slip and overheating, since they only got 4 axles and are DC.
Don't forget their gearing, which is designed for lighter loads at higher speeds. Not the best for shunting.
Driver: "I got this."
*switches brake-cut in to freight*
I was stuck for hours on a downeaster once because a freight train in front of us broke down, I wish our train just coupled to the other one to push it out of the way
Literally though! Just like UP 4014 did back in June 2023.
It's almost like that Amtrak unit decided it wanted to go into the freight switching business!
They were in the freight business, I worked a dedicated freight job in Oakland, CA., all we did was switch Amtrak express freight, had a fleet of 50’, 60’, Reefer and road railers, plus we had our own SW1500, small yard and switched a 9 spot warehouse multiple times in a 24hr period.
Hi from england wow that was unbelievable well done p42 american icon tell you what i won't be rushing over the "pond"to see those horrific chargers I'll remember mý time's riding behind p42s for the rest of my life love them!!!
Chargers are finally getting there in the reliability. 25 yrs from now the kids will be us missing the Chargers when they retire...
Well unless they break the contract with Siemens Mobility they're here to stay.
Great catch, and well done Amtrak.
Great catch! P42 pushing freight. And then time for schedule catch up! 😅
I never saw the Amtrak P42 diesel locomotive push the freight train before!!!!! Not only that I see the Amtrak P42 diesel locomotive pull the regular Amtrak coaches, Amtrak double decker coaches, luggage 🧳🛅 cars, dining cars or sleeping cars!!!!!
This may be the only time, IN HISTORY, A p42has been caught on freight.
Thats not an amtrak freight train
This ain’t the only time. Amtrak used to haul freight (at the end of passenger trains) on some of their routes, and they used P42s for that.
@@AMTK90200It wasn’t necessarily freight, just mail. Though I guess that could count as freight.
@@kansasstatealerting2874They also hauled fresh produce and other refrigerated goods. I think those would count as freight...
I mean, they haul autoracks on their train. So I guess it’s freight too.
"Genysis, Genysis is planet forbidden, NO!"
Amazing.
This reminds me of a few instances documented around Chicagoland. In 2009 or so an outbound Metra train had an MP36's generator fail. It couldn't pull its train, but it could provide head end power. So the whole train was pushed by a following Wisconsin and Southern freight train with 3 SD40s. They made all the station stops, and I think the SD40s were being controlled from the cab of the MP36. There is video of this here on RUclips.
More recently, a CP intermodal train with only one locomotive stalled on some grade and it was banked by Metra#420, another MP26 with its passenger consist still in tow.
That was one hell of a move
While this video gives me ideas of what a P42 would look like in shortline freight service after Via and Amtrak retire them, they are so optimized for passenger hauling that I know it will never happen...
Great catch. Since freight owns the rails, I guess Amtrak gets to clean up the mess if they want to clear the route. The uninitiated often ask, "Why can't Amtrak keep a time schedule??". Here we have example A.
Oh how the tables have turned. That p42 may have been like "so frickin' heavy!"
Amtrak 406 just hanging out in the Amtrak consist at the end like "What's up?"
Guess Amtrak got back to their Express Freight service.
I betcha that's hard on the P42. Some are saying it like a Dash 9 in passenger carbody. Okay I'm not a mechanical expert. But I do know passenger locomotive is geared different then a freight locomotive. I also know the engine of a Dash 9 occuplies way more of the engine room in the long hood then a P40/P42. The back half of a P42 is pretty open space with a few appliances.
If it works it works I guess. At the end of the day they are a Dash 8 with a car body and HEP
passenger dash 8 ‼‼
Imagine if the P42 Amtrak diesel locomotive refuses to push the freight train, jams the turntable and falls and gets stuck into the dirty ditch
That is clearly a ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’ reference.
It’s weird not hearing the HEP generator running
What’s that sound like?
@@berkshiresubrailfan At about 6:44 they bring the engine back up to HEP speed, I assume to couple back onto the P42's original train.
And the P40/42 at 8:35 is at HEP speed as well.
@@berkshiresubrailfan yeah and most of the time you see a genesis locomotive the HEP is on as it is a passenger locomotive
When put in freight mode, the prime mover slows to normal freight idle, that’s why you don’t hear a HEP generator. Normal HEP idle is 900 rpm, standby is 600 rpm. Max RPM in HEP mode is 900 rpm, max RPM in freight mode is 1050 rpm.
That is so awesome!!!! Great catch!!!
Wow, what an experience! Definitely once in a lifetime for railfans!
0:34 yikes. I would never ride a boxcar like that. Accident waiting to happen
This may have been one of the last times a P42DC without ACSES PTC was solo up east.
What a crazy locomotive!!
Sounds like I heard screaming in the background!
Creak. Groan. That's me in the morning.
How people think railroading works (without knowing s**t about railroads):
Hee hee hee.
RACE HORSE OR PLOW HORSE!!
G-E DOES IT ALL!!!🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁
That's really strange to see and great job
Amtrak is finally getting back at the freight railroads for stealing their trains (if you don’t know what I’m talking about, I’m talking about when freight locomotives have to pull Amtrak)
153:OH the indignity
I have seen Amtrak locomotives hauling autorack carriages behind the regular passenger load, on RUclips videos. I therefore find it no surprise that these P42's can do a bit of local shunting of freight cars. How else would they put together an autorack plus passenger car train? Often the locomotives running the train have to do work similar to what is seen in this video. They probably wouldn't want to move too many freight cars at one time, but if they can move autoracks, they can move freight cars, too! :D
That's the Auto train
I wonder why they specifically have to chose the P42 to push all the cars
wow, usually amtrak is calling other railroads to borrow an engine to get their equipment home, must have been fun to do it the other way around this time
makes sense, it is a 4400 hp locomotive just like a freight engine, it has different gearing, some extra power draw, and extra equipment freight engine doesnt have, but it can get the job done. unless it breaks down too.
Imagine That One Amtrak Foamer That sees this
I never seen an Amtrak pushing a freight cars and very interesting
Whoa I Think Thats The First Time Amtrak Pushing Half Freight Cars
Could you imagine if the freight train was carrying a load of fruits and other foods while the P42 Amtrak diesel locomotive was pushing it going so fast, being in a hurry and accidentally crashing into the buffers, rocks and mountains?
I had a stroke trying to understand this
Is this a ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’ reference?
Get off your mommy's ipad
i was recommended with this at 2 in the morning
good catch lol
Great and Rate Catches!!! Awesome video!
David the p42dc: I’m push heavy cargo
P42: WHY AM I HEREEEEE
All freight cars: YOU NEEDA HELP US GET OUT OF HERE WITH ANNOYING BELLS GOING ON!😡😡😡
This is the only video I can find of a Amtrak locomotive pushing, or pulling freight.
Awesome Catch JP
Freight needed Amtrak helper
Doesn't (90)406 have an HEP generator in it? Meaning that a move with the locomotive would not have meant a lapse in HEP? Excellent catch!
yes it does
Great catch
That's rare it's the first time I see this in years
What city/station is this?
Dover, NH
I was surprised to see F40 I don't see those anymore. I thought Amtrak retired those
Its amtraks only F40 heritage unit, it does not have a engine in itself that can self power itself
What a weird combination of engines on both trains!
A p42 pushing freight, and 2 F40s? My brain is broken.
Do Amtrak operate freight trains or just passenger services always impressed with the large Amtrak coaches so much larger than our British rolling stock with limited loading guage 🚆
Now that’s something you don’t see every day
Where is that
I'm not sure, but I can imagine that it would be a shunting yard.
What if the P42 Amtrak diesel locomotive refuses to push the freight train?
Incredible catch bro
They're essentially Dash 9s so there's no reason why it couldn't move a freight load.
A P42 is nothing like a Dash 9 other than sharing the same brand and basic prime mover. Dash 9's were never made in a 4 axle version and never made with 4,200HP. Totally different traction control system, radically different structure (A Dash 9 has a frame, a P42 does not) And that's just the beginning of the differences. Their are dozens of GE's and EMD's models (respective of their brands) that share the same prime movers and are DC but that doesn't even begin to make them close to being "the same"
@@FFred-us9tw Don't forget that they're geared completely different from each other.
I mean if it works it works that crazy, reminds me of when bigboy pushed the stalled freight train up the hill 🎉
What if the P42 Amtrak diesel locomotive decided to go on strike?
Sounds like the brakes are still set
im seein some notable RRs such as THE SARATOGA NORTH CREEK (EXCITED TRAIN GUY RR)
and IATR (Indiana Traction Railroad)
It doesn't look like a film camera was used.
Great video!
I caught this same exact locomotive being pushed by 2 Bnsf engines I guess the p42 is now a Bnsf engine?
0:37 ???? Tf was that
What do you expect? This GE engine puts out 4200 horsepower it's basically a 8-40 wide body
Being a engineer for ns I never seen a passenger train do this
Why did they have two sets??
they were so late that the train behind merged with it
I'm wondering if the freight train ran into problems & needed a little help
So Amtrak has so many delays and stuff, yet they're this good at pushing freight??
Classy, prestigous and beautiful passenger P42 living vicariousky as a down'n dirty freighter showing the world where its at ! ! P42 😎👍 Charger 🤮👎
OK, possible stupid question here; how did those freight cars wind up blocking the mainline in the first place?
The knuckle on the coupler Sheered off.
NO PROBLEM P42 HAS 4200 HORSEPOWER. ITS QUITE CAPABLE OF ASSISTING IN THIS FASHION
Interesting
how many times will you ever see that again , no problem with the freight cars it has more horses than a sd 40-2
That Amtrak wants to be a tank engine, and give up the diesel motors and knock off the diesel fuel ⛽ Lol 😂😆😂😆
Instead of calling it a p42dc it's now a 42dc
Or it can be called an F42DC, LOL! :)
Why doesn’t Amtrak re-gear they’re P42s for freight service
Woah!