Bombardier–Alstom HHP-8

Bombardier–Alstom HHP-8
Blue and silver locomotive with orange striping pulling six bilevel locomotives on triple-track
MARC No. 4915 at Odenton in 2014
Type and origin
Power type Electric
Builder Bombardier Transportation, Alstom[1]
Total produced Amtrak: 15
MARC: 6
Specifications
Configuration:
 ​
 • AAR B-B
Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Wheel diameter 40 in (1,016 mm)
Minimum curve 76 m (249.34 ft)
Wheelbase 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m)
 • Truck 35 ft 3 in (10.74 m)
Length 67 ft 1 in (20.45 m) over couplers
Width 10 ft 4 in (3.15 m)
Height 14 ft 2 in (4.32 m)
Loco weight 222,000 lb (101 t)
Power supply Catenary
Electric system/s
  • 12 kV 25 Hz AC
  • 12.5 kV 60 Hz AC
  • 25 kV 60 Hz AC
Current pickup(s) Dual pantographs
Traction motors 4 × 1.5 MW (2,000 hp) Alstom 4-FXA-4559C
Loco brake
  • Electrical : regenerative and rheostatic brakes
  • Friction : two disc brakes per axle
Safety systems Cab signals, ACSES
Performance figures
Maximum speed 135 mph (217 km/h)
Power output 6,000 kW (8,000 hp) continuous
Tractive effort:
 ​
 • Starting 71,240 lbf (316.9 kN)
 • Continuous 56,200 lbf (250.0 kN)
Career
Operators
Numbers
  • Amtrak: 680-694 (formerly 650-664)
  • MARC: 4910-4915
Official name HSEL (High Speed Electric Locomotive)[2]
Sources:[3] except where noted

The Bombardier–Alstom HHP-8 (High Horse Power 8000) is a type of twin-cab electric locomotive manufactured by a consortium of Bombardier Transportation and Alstom for Amtrak and MARC. The locomotive's electrical drive technology is directly derived from the SNCF BB 36000 manufactured by Alstom.

A small class size and reliability problems with correspondingly high per capita maintenance and replacement costs led Amtrak to retire all of its HHP-8s after only a decade in service. MARC is currently refurbishing its HHP-8, with the first locomotives now undergoing successful testing.

Design

Amtrak HHP-8 #661 on the Northeast Corridor. Notice the Acela logos on the sides; these were removed upon Amtrak deciding to remove the Acela branding from Regionals.

The locomotives have a 6 MJ crash energy absorbance structure; the carbody is stainless steel.[3] The electrical traction system is directly derived from the system used on Alstom's BB 36000 Astride locomotives;[4] this includes four 1.5MW three phase asynchronous traction motors powered by GTO based inverters, with one inverter per motor; the electric system also allows regenerative and rheostatic braking.[3] The locomotives were designed for up to 217 km/h (135 mph) operation but are actually limited in service to FRA Tier 1 standards, operating up to 201 km/h (125 mph).[3][5]

History

Amtrak ordered 15 HHP-8s in 1996 at the same time as its Acela Express trainsets. The HHP-8s have external styling that is similar to the Acela trainsets, but are designed to operate as independent locomotives, hauling conventional passenger rolling stock. The units supplemented the EMD AEM-7s and allowed Amtrak to commence retirement of the GE E60.[1][6]

The locomotive's original type designation was HHL-8, for "High Horsepower Locomotive, 8,000 (nominal) horsepower".[7] This was subsequently changed to HHP-8.

In conjunction with the Amtrak order, MARC also acquired six HHP-8s,[5] which MARC uses on their Penn Line service along the Northeast Corridor between Perryville and Washington, DC.

Amtrak operated its HHP-8s on the Northeast Corridor between Boston and Washington, DC;[8] racking up approximately 1,000,000 miles each in service (based on 2009 figure).[9]

In 2002, Amtrak's fleet of 15 units was temporarily withdrawn along with the Acela Express trains due to cracks in components of the trucks.[10][11]

Amtrak retirement

Amtrak's HHP-8s suffered from low reliability. As a result, after only one decade in service, their replacement was considered, concurrent with the replacement of the older AEM-7 locomotive fleet, since a large order for a standardized fleet would have price economies, and the resultant fleet would have lower overall maintenance costs. A replacement fleet of 70 locomotives starting delivery in 2012 was planned, with HHP-8s kept as a reserve in the short term.[9]

In October 2010, Amtrak ordered 70 Siemens ACS-64 locomotives to replace both the HHP-8 and the older AEM-7 locomotives, with deliveries beginning in early 2013.[12] Amtrak retired its last HHP-8 on November 7, 2014. All units are now stored; to avoid duplicate numbering with ACS-64 units 650–664, Amtrak renumbered its retired HHP-8s to 680–694.[13]

MARC Refurbishment

While reports in 2016 indicated that MARC planned to retire their HHP-8 locomotives and replace them with Siemens SC-44 Charger locomotives,[14] MARC instead started a refurbishment program for its HHP-8s in 2017.[15] Issues with engine cooling that kept the HHP-8 locomotives from properly working were addressed.

As of September 2017, the first HHP-8 reconditioned under this program had been delivered and was undergoing successful testing.[16]

As of March 2018, the first HHP-8 reconditioned was running for three weeks without major issue (a software issue was corrected in this time). A second HHP-8 was being reconditioned.[17]

As of June 2018, The second HHP-8 had the most unreliable power control components replaced and was back in service. The remainder of the upgrade on this locomotive was to be done by the end of 2018. MARC planned to upgrade the remaining HHP-8 locomotives in their fleet.[18]

References

  1. 1 2 Cudahy, Brian J. (2002), Rails Under the Mighty Hudson (2nd ed.), New York: Fordham University Press, pp. 89–90, ISBN 978-0-82890-257-1, OCLC 911046235
  2. ↑ McDonnell, Greg (2015). Locomotives: The Modern Diesel and Electric Reference (2nd ed.). Richmond Hill, Ontario: Boston Mills Press. p. 264. ISBN 978-1-77085-609-7.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "APPENDIX 5 : Design Data : High Horsepower Electric Locomotive (for Amtrak, MARC)" (PDF). www.sonic.net. Bombardier Transportation.
  4. ↑ Allenbach, Jean-Marc; Chapas, Pierre; Comtel, Michel; Kaller, Roger (2008), Traction électrique (in French), 1, Presses polytechniques et universitaires romandes, p. 328, ISBN 978-2-88074-674-2, La partie électrique de locomotives américaines (25 Hz/60 Hz) - 15 HHP-8 (AME 125) pour l'Amtrak et 6 pour le Maryland - est aussi directement dérivée
  5. 1 2 "Caltrain Electrification Project" (PDF), sonic.net, Section 4: ELECTRIC ROLLING STOCK EQUIPMENT POWER, 4.3.1.4 High Horsepower Amtrak/MARC Locomotive, August 2000
  6. ↑ Simon, Elbert; Warner, David C. (2011). Amtrak by the numbers: a comprehensive passenger car and motive power roster, 1971-2011. Kansas City, Missouri: White River Productions. p. 68. ISBN 978-1-932804-12-6.
  7. ↑ "From GG1 to E60 to AEM7 to HHL-8". Trains Magazine. September 1999.
  8. ↑ Loomis, Jim (November 24, 2011). All Aboard: The Complete North American Train Travel Guide. Chicago Review Press. p. 140. ISBN 9781569768495.
  9. 1 2 "Amtrak Fleet Strategy : Building a Sustainable Fleet for the Future of America's Intercity and High-Speed Passenger Railroad" (PDF). www.highspeed-rail.org. February 2010. pp. 17, 21, 24, 37, 42.
  10. ↑ Wald, Matthew L. (August 16, 2002). "Amtrak sideline more locomotives because of defect". www.nytimes.com. The New York Times.
  11. ↑ Phillips, Don (August 16, 2002). "High-Speed Trains Shut Down Again". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
  12. ↑ "Siemens AG bags $466-mn order from US railroad company Amtrak". domain-b.com. October 29, 2010. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
  13. ↑ "Amtrak City Sprinter Class ACS64 Electric Locomotive For Amtrak's North East Corridor (NEC) High Speed Passenger Service" (PDF). Siemens AG Infrastructure & Cities Sector Rail Systems Division. Retrieved December 24, 2013.
  14. ↑ Vantuono, William C. "MARC replacing electric locomotive fleet with high-speed diesels". Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  15. ↑ "MARC Riders Advisory Council Meeting Minutes: April 20, 2017" (PDF). MTA Maryland. April 20, 2017.
  16. ↑ "MARC Riders Advisory Council Meeting Minutes: September 21, 2017" (PDF). MTA Maryland. September 21, 2017.
  17. ↑ "March 15, 2018 Minutes" (PDF). MTA Maryland. March 15, 2018.
  18. ↑ "June 21, 2018 Minutes" (PDF). MTA Maryland. June 21, 2018.
  • "(search) Bombardier/Alstom HHP-8", www.railpictures.net
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.