Amtrak is offering a AEM7 Excursion, Photo run-by and shop tour as a sendoff to the AEM7 locomotive.
See info HERE
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This looks like a fun trip. I wish that I was closer than CA.
NH Joe
New Haven Joe posted:This looks like a fun trip. I wish that I was closer than CA.
NH Joe
Sigh, so do I
Matt, are you driving? 
Just might have to pull the trigger on this one.
Farmer_Bill posted:Matt, are you driving?
Bill,
No. I'm going to sit in coach (with several other Trackers) and be the backseat driver. Tough job but someone has to do it! Should be a very fun trip - especially the shop tour!
This does sound pretty decent.....way to go, Amtrak !
Amtrak is smart to put two locomotives on the point in case one breaks down.
Tickets are now on sale....I've got my 4!
Awesome idea now I am torn between chasing it and getting some pics of it running down the track or riding it for the tour
Got tickets for myself and my wife (got to love a woman that loves shop tours).
Scotie
SJC posted:Amtrak is offering a AEM7 Excursion, Photo run-by and shop tour as a sendoff to the AEM7 locomotive.
See info HERE
A one who grew up loving the GG1, I can only muster a "meh".
Ace posted:Seems that just yesterday they were new ...
Would it be oversimplifying to say that they were Amtrak's alternative to the problematic Metroliner trains?
That's the way I recall it, Ace.
I thought I read the trip is $150? Thats a lot of money to ride in an Amfleet car pulled by a AEM7. Go to Washington or certain stations and you can get a ride from station to station cheaper.. If it was a cab ride I would pay more but being pulled in an Amfleet car, you would never know what your pulled by.
shurlock1 posted:I thought I read the trip is $150? Thats a lot of money to ride in an Amfleet car pulled by a AEM7. Go to Washington or certain stations and you can get a ride from station to station cheaper.. If it was a cab ride I would pay more but being pulled in an Amfleet car, you would never know what your pulled by.
To each his own. I've bought a ticket. Last chance to ride an AEM7 on Amtrak. Plus, the added bonus of a full blown tour of the Wilmington Shops, complete with displays of nearly all Amtrak locos currently running from diesels to electrics to F40s to shop switchers. Can't wait!
Took a tour of the Ivy City shop in DC many years ago. Think it cost $50 and we had to supply our own hard hats so $150 in 2016 is a pretty good deal.
SJC posted:shurlock1 posted:I thought I read the trip is $150? Thats a lot of money to ride in an Amfleet car pulled by a AEM7. Go to Washington or certain stations and you can get a ride from station to station cheaper.. If it was a cab ride I would pay more but being pulled in an Amfleet car, you would never know what your pulled by.
To each his own. I've bought a ticket. Last chance to ride an AEM7 on Amtrak. Plus, the added bonus of a full blown tour of the Wilmington Shops, complete with displays of nearly all Amtrak locos currently running from diesels to electrics to F40s to shop switchers. Can't wait!
Dont forget the boxed lunch and lapel pin! 
Without a doubt there'll be additional merchandising opportunities along the way. 2 food service cars on a 7 car train strikes me as an opportunity to put the rolling gift shop (40th anniversary store) in the train.
Boilermaker1 posted:Dont forget the boxed lunch and lapel pin!
Without a doubt there'll be additional merchandising opportunities along the way. 2 food service cars on a 7 car train strikes me as an opportunity to put the rolling gift shop (40th anniversary store) in the train.
I'll be trolling eBay later for stuff sold on this train, as I'd love to be able to ride it.
I saw the Amtrak 40th anniversary train and they had the majority of one car filled with a souvenir store. Bought a lot of stuff there...
I got my ticket!
p51 posted:Boilermaker1 posted:Dont forget the boxed lunch and lapel pin!
Without a doubt there'll be additional merchandising opportunities along the way. 2 food service cars on a 7 car train strikes me as an opportunity to put the rolling gift shop (40th anniversary store) in the train.
I'll be trolling eBay later for stuff sold on this train, as I'd love to be able to ride it.
I saw the Amtrak 40th anniversary train and they had the majority of one car filled with a souvenir store. Bought a lot of stuff there...
It looks like some of the merchandise is available online as a preorder. http://amtrak.bnr.corpmerchand...rewellAEM7Spring2016
Whether there's more stuff on the train, I dont know.
Boilermaker1 posted:p51 posted:Boilermaker1 posted:Dont forget the boxed lunch and lapel pin!
Without a doubt there'll be additional merchandising opportunities along the way. 2 food service cars on a 7 car train strikes me as an opportunity to put the rolling gift shop (40th anniversary store) in the train.
I'll be trolling eBay later for stuff sold on this train, as I'd love to be able to ride it.
I saw the Amtrak 40th anniversary train and they had the majority of one car filled with a souvenir store. Bought a lot of stuff there...
It looks like some of the merchandise is available online as a preorder. http://amtrak.bnr.corpmerchand...rewellAEM7Spring2016
Whether there's more stuff on the train, I dont know.
Ordered my T-Shirt! Sales close 5/17 so they are available for the trip.
A fitting tribute to an outstanding locomotive. I still remember watching the 900 being tested between MIDWAY and NASSAU in the Spring of 1980 like it was yesterday. The AEM7 proved itself a worthy successor to the GG1 and then some.
Bob
Geez! It WAS just yesterday, wasn't it? I recall that in O gauge there were two companies that made the AEM7. Being in S sometimes makes us feel like the step child, so I scratch built one. Not easy with all the "stuff" on the roof. But it won an award at a national convention back in the day (working doors, functioning pans, full lighting effects, etc.).
I never did see one in real life, though. A friend of mine once told me that even "contemporary modelers" become "period modelers" given enough time. Case in point...
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Craignor posted:I didn't go on the excursion yesterday, but I did have my own send off in my train room yesterday. I am keeping the AEM-7 in service here.
what about the rest of that fine looking layout.......
If the importers would have had one without fixed pilots, It might have done O-31!
My wife and I went and had a great time. Sold out train with two AEM-7s, Amfleet coaches and the Beach Grove Amtrak executive observation car. Did a bit of a run by at a MARC station, ran to Philadelphia and wyed the train using the old Philadelphia bypass that through trains took in the day to avoid 30th St.
The highlight of the trip was the tour of the Wilmington shops. Got to see the wheel shop where trucks and etc are refurbished. A large number of locos outside and in including two of the Veterans' painted engines the 42 and the 642 electric which you'd only see on the corridor.
On the way back to DC they sold pieces from AEM-7s including about 75 number boards. We even got in to DC a few minutes early--a first for me on a fan trip.
Overall a great day.
Scotie
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I rode Amtrak's special "Farewell/Last Ride of the AEM7" today. This was the last revenue run for these engines on Amtrak after 40 years and over 220 million miles. It was an early morning departure from Washington's Union Station, a northbound sprint to Halethorpe, MD where we were treated to a photo "walk-by" while a regular Amtrak Regional gave us a photo "run-by" on an adjacent track. After Halethorpe it was straight to Philly where the train was turned, catered Jimmy John's subs brought on board for everyone. On the way back to Washington, a stop was made for about 2.5 hours at the Wilmington, DE shop complex where dozens of Amtrak employees where on hand to answer questions and show the public their facility.
To me, it was very clear that all Amtrak employees involved with pulling this off went above and beyond. Upon boarding, we were given literature on the AEM7 and Wilmington shop to read and learn about as well as technical literature and content on the new ACS64 locomotives that are now in service. Even more clear was the pride these people took in their railroad, equipment and jobs. Very clear. When we passed the Wilmington shops northbound (stopped for tour on southbound trip) all shop employees were trackside waving at us.
Amtrak CEO Joe Boardman's private rail car was on the train and he was shaking hands and taking photos with the crowd at every opportunity.
Amtrak also gave out special AEM7 Farewell lapel pins and on the way back, an auction for leftover AEM7 parts - over 100 people walked away with authentic AEM7 number boards, bells, headlights, and more!
A GREAT trip. Lots of fun, great people, great experience and one not likely to be repeated. It was a sold out, 9 car train I believe. I think the total ridership was about 500.
Here are several photos taken throughout the day, only a short portion. I took almost 300 shots. I found the wheel shop most interesting. We saw their test rig where they put entire loco/coach trucks on this rig to run at normal speeds they'd do in the real world to test for proper operation, bearing temperatures, etc. We saw an EMD switcher truck being rebuilt, saw how they overhaul HVAC units for coaches, and more. What was neat was they had wheels from several different engines and coaches on display with a photo on each so we knew what went where. Very well done and enjoyable.
Remember, they didn't have to do this. I'm sure it was a big pain to put together and prepare and to make this happen. Every Amtrak employee was friendly, enthusiastic and wanted to be there. Once again, it was very evident that these folks took tremendous pride in their jobs and railroad. Thank you, Amtrak!
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Maybe they can send one to the RR museum of PA?
There already is one at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, #915 I believe. Arrived a few months ago, maybe last fall?
Another thing that was very nice - the running commentary on historical points, landmarks, history, etc of the railroads and surroundings alongside the tracks. Made the trip even more informative.
Amtrak put together a very well done video of the day. Found HERE
Why did Amtrak let the HHP8s get into a condition bad enough that they had to be retired after just 15 years of service? I use to watch them pass my home and they all were operating fine.
Ed G. (Along the North-East Corridor in Westchester County, NY of Metro-North and Amtrak)
Amtrak leases the HHP8. They were notorious for reliability problems, especially in the summer heat. Just because they seemed to run well past your house doesn't mean they ran well overall! MARC has a couple that they are still running and already have new diesels on order to replace them. They are junk.
ed new haven line posted:Why did Amtrak let the HHP8s get into a condition bad enough that they had to be retired after just 15 years of service? I use to watch them pass my home and they all were operating fine.
Ed G. (Along the North-East Corridor in Westchester County, NY of Metro-North and Amtrak)
This seemed to be a common question asked in wilmington that day, I heard it being explained several times. The out of service rate was over 40% at any given time. The car bodies werent sealed, so they'd get dust in the electronics and short out circuits, leaving trains dead on the corridor. They were also really slippery on the rails, which the crews didnt like. Thats obviously not a good situation. The ACS64s are sealed and pressurized (it was explained that its "like a submarine") to keep the dust out and the electronics clean. Even the cab doors were several inches thick and had multiple seals.
