Amtrak has been using unpowered F40PH locomotives for decades in various corridors across the country.
For its shorter-distance trains — where one or both ends of the run lack turning facilities — these units allow Amtrak to assign only one powered locomotive instead of two.
The first F40PH converted was AMTK No. 200, which had its prime mover, main generator, and traction motors removed. The conversions began after the P40DC and P42DC fleet was establishing itself as the primary long-distance power across the country. A roll-up door was installed on the long hood, allowing Amtrak to store baggage where the prime mover and main generator were formerly located. While officially called NPCUs (Non-Powered Control Unit) by Amtrak, these earned the nickname “cabbage car” for its dual-use cab car/baggage car design.
Fast forward to today, with the new Siemens ALC-42s establishing themselves as the new long-distance locomotives, the time to extend the usefulness of a portion of the P42 fleet has arrived.
The first P42DC to be converted was AMTK No. 184, which became P42C No. 9700. These new control cars were modified differently than the original NPCUs, retaining their internal components for weight purposes. The original NPCU fleet didn’t have enough ballast applied, which gave the engineer a rougher ride when occupied. AMTK P42C No. 9700 doesn’t feature a roll-up door on its sides due to the lack of use of the baggage compartment in the existing NPCU fleet, and because the P42DC has a monoque design in which the carbody is part of the structural support for the entire locomotive.
Amtrak is planning for an eventual fleet of 20 P42Cs to cover its needs across its system. For reference, Amtrak rebuilt 22 F40PHs to form its original NPCU fleet.
If my memory treats me correctly, I recall no checked baggage on the Borealis.
Suddenly I can. Gotta check whether the Downeaster does baggage. Amtrak doesn’t do express anymore, right?
Did they actually ever carry baggage?
Can’t say I have the latest information. Last time I needed to know, several years ago, some Midwest corridors had checked baggage but some didn’t. Examples, yes to baggage on the Hiawatha, no into Michigan. The timetables should give the regulations. My brother checked a ton of stuff BOS-CHI and on to MKE (for a beer memorabilia trade show), but that was something like 2016 or 2018.
This may have changed (in the direction of no checked baggage) as I saw no checked baggage being handled on the Borealis, which in effect is a Hiawatha.
That’s funny I didn’t think Amtrak was going to rebuilt some GE P42DC’s into non powered cab units
Hideous. Why not buy Siemens cab cars as VIA Rail is doing.
Something as wrong when all that iron is hauled back and forth for no reason. Like the Borealis which has two mismatched locos (one depowered) to go with its mismatched passenger cars. Honestly, does Amtrak not think the general public has to look at their ugly trains.
They ordered the Airo fleet which will slowly take over the existing fleet once delivery begins. Those come with the Siemens cab cars. These are interim conversions and won’t be permanent.