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What is the typical consist for the Hiawatha Service rains?
F40PHR231 Member # 1350
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Engine 4 Horizon coaches F40 NPCU
RICK777200 Member # 1525
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What does the npcu after f40 stand for? Do you mean: Genesis 4 Horizon coaches F40
CG96 Member # 1408
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I think the NCPU stands for something like "Non-Powered Car Unit," or something to that effect.
F40PHR231 Member # 1350
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There are hardely any F40s running these days. A number of F40s had their engines gutted, and converted to a cab type of engine.
This allows push-pull operation, with the P42/P40 Genesis engine to push a train, while the F40 NPCU (Non-Powered Controlling Unit) leads.
You'll also notice that most of them (not ALL of them) have sliding doors for baggage, so they've been referred as "cab/baggage", or "cabbage" for short.
Hope this helps. Is certainly a nice ride.
~Chris
efin98 Member # 1943
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arent all of the NPCUs that are run on state sponsored routes equipted for baggage use(I know all of the ones that are used on the Downeaster are) sadly there are only three Amtrak F40s that are still owned by Amtrak, all of which are leased to the MBTA.
F40PHR231 Member # 1350
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"arent all of the NPCUs that are run on state sponsored routes equipted for baggage use"
No, six of them do not have baggage, and mainly stay in the Cascades corridor.
There is about 90 F40s rotting away at Beech Grove as well.
~Chris
efin98 Member # 1943
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just a shame that they dont use them anymore, they were some of the best engines ever(in my opinon)
Mike Smith Member # 447
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When did the Hiawatha go to P-42's? (I believe they use/used Dash 8's, but I could be mistaken)
Amtrak207 Member # 1307
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The Hiawatha Service changed to P42s somewhere between late 2000 and May 17, 2002. I showed up for my train with a consist reporting form already lined up for a Dash-8 and a Cabbage, and I got brand new P42s instead. I have no idea why they were wasting five month old high horsepower locomotives (two of them to handle three coaches???) on this service while other corridor routes get the older, bashed up in places P40 units. Maybe wasted is too harsh a word, but it's a 78 mile trip with three stops hauling three cars. Once again, maybe it's because Wisconsin pays for part of the service.
Amtrak207 Member # 1307
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Oh, here it is, sitting on the corner of my desk. Engine 180 Serial Number 53036, Date of Manufacture June 2001 Ex-Metroliner cab car 44554 Horizon coaches 54554 and 54526 Engine 202 Serial Number 53058, DOM October 2001 The train operated with 202 in the lead southbound (as train 332) and with 202 pushing, 180 in the lead, northbound (train 341).
irish1 Member # 222
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i ride the hiawathas a few times a year and have never seen them use the modified f 40s for baggage. anybody out there that has seen them used for baggage anywhere?
------------------ The Copper Country Limited [Milwaukee Road] and the Peninsula 400 [CNW} still my favorites
efin98 Member # 1943
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i see them used everyday on the Downeaster(and also in passenger service with the MBTA as part of a lease agreement!). They might also be used on the Surfliners or Cascades too, although im not too sure.
john1082 Member # 2068
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No F-40 Cab car / baggage cars (Cabbages) on the Surfliners. I recall seeing one once at Redondo (Amtrak service facility in LA) but I have no clue what it was doing here.
F40PHR231 Member # 1350
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The reason why you'd probably see one at Redondo, was due to heavy repairs needed on NPCU #90230, or when the NPCU #90340 was taking delivery to Portland/Seattle.
One asked if the NPCUs were still being used on the Hiawathas, when I rode it last July, each trainset had a P42, and a F40 cab unit.
I would assume that you may have not seen a F40 cab unit on some trainsets due to needing maintenance, repairs, etc.
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