Amtrak Downeaster: Across New England with the mighty F40PH
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Date: 2024-01-09
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Comments and reviews: 35
-jamesshanks2614
The F40PH you saw isn-t an F40PH anymore, it-s a baggage car control unit with the original 645 engine removed and converted to a baggage compartment. It takes the place of a control cab car and is much safer to operate due to being a repurposed locomotive without engine or traction motors. It receives power from the train through the HEP connection to provide battery charging and lights and heat to the unit. A great way to reuse an outdated engine. It doesn-t even have its original headend generator anymore as it was removed with the prime mover. Personally I don-t miss them as you definitely needed hearing protection when it was providing HEP to the train. As the engine running at 897 rpm the noise level was well over 130 DBs.
I remember shortly after the Budd cars went into service and Budd was still filling the 500 car order we got two E8 from the engine house at New Haven, Ct. with two V-12 Detroit generators rated at 275 KW each when I tried to put both online the main breaker kept tripping so I told the conductor to turn off the tempo control switch in every car, this was in February and I told him then I will be able to feed the train with one generator then take one trainman and have him return each car to normal heat and by the time he gets to the next car the load would have reduced at the heating elements go up to temperature. The crew shut off each car and when I go the ok I closed the breaker and the electricians and train crew were surprised when the train powered up. The train was 22 cars long that day. I later enroute to Boston went back and found the generator was running a load of 225 amps to the train before arrived at New London. The train was delayed 37 minutes due to being unable to use both generators.
Amtrak later resolved the problem by equipping all new engines with a single 1100 kilowatt generator which easily handles the high inrush of power when you first close the HEP breaker.
By the way we had no further trouble with the HEP after we left New Haven.
I miss the old days.
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The F40PH you saw isn-t an F40PH anymore, it-s a baggage car control unit with the original 645 engine removed and converted to a baggage compartment. It takes the place of a control cab car and is much safer to operate due to being a repurposed locomotive without engine or traction motors. It receives power from the train through the HEP connection to provide battery charging and lights and heat to the unit. A great way to reuse an outdated engine. It doesn-t even have its original headend generator anymore as it was removed with the prime mover. Personally I don-t miss them as you definitely needed hearing protection when it was providing HEP to the train. As the engine running at 897 rpm the noise level was well over 130 DBs.
I remember shortly after the Budd cars went into service and Budd was still filling the 500 car order we got two E8 from the engine house at New Haven, Ct. with two V-12 Detroit generators rated at 275 KW each when I tried to put both online the main breaker kept tripping so I told the conductor to turn off the tempo control switch in every car, this was in February and I told him then I will be able to feed the train with one generator then take one trainman and have him return each car to normal heat and by the time he gets to the next car the load would have reduced at the heating elements go up to temperature. The crew shut off each car and when I go the ok I closed the breaker and the electricians and train crew were surprised when the train powered up. The train was 22 cars long that day. I later enroute to Boston went back and found the generator was running a load of 225 amps to the train before arrived at New London. The train was delayed 37 minutes due to being unable to use both generators.
Amtrak later resolved the problem by equipping all new engines with a single 1100 kilowatt generator which easily handles the high inrush of power when you first close the HEP breaker.
By the way we had no further trouble with the HEP after we left New Haven.
I miss the old days.
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train
Newer is NOT better. The heritage equipment that was replaced by Amfleet cars was even more comfortable. I'm reserving judgment until I ride the new equipment.
The Downeaster and Vermonter are VERY popular. Business-class seats on the latter can be hard to come by on points north of New Haven.
I noticed that you came into Boston on the Haverhill line. The route normally uses the Lowell line, then takes a branch to join the Haverhill in Ballardvale. The Lowell line has been closed on weekends for several years now in order to accommodate the GLX (Green Line Extension) program that is building an LRV alongside the commuter rail tracks for a portion of the Lowell line.
I notice that you missed the Downeaster segment between Portland and Brunswick. That's a great ride, and Brunswick is a very nice college town (Bowdoin College) with several pleasant inns and restaurants within an easy walk of the Amtrak station.
Rumor has it that a new Amtrak station is in the works closer to downtown Portland that will not require a reversing move to get in (southbound) or out (northbound.
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Newer is NOT better. The heritage equipment that was replaced by Amfleet cars was even more comfortable. I'm reserving judgment until I ride the new equipment.
The Downeaster and Vermonter are VERY popular. Business-class seats on the latter can be hard to come by on points north of New Haven.
I noticed that you came into Boston on the Haverhill line. The route normally uses the Lowell line, then takes a branch to join the Haverhill in Ballardvale. The Lowell line has been closed on weekends for several years now in order to accommodate the GLX (Green Line Extension) program that is building an LRV alongside the commuter rail tracks for a portion of the Lowell line.
I notice that you missed the Downeaster segment between Portland and Brunswick. That's a great ride, and Brunswick is a very nice college town (Bowdoin College) with several pleasant inns and restaurants within an easy walk of the Amtrak station.
Rumor has it that a new Amtrak station is in the works closer to downtown Portland that will not require a reversing move to get in (southbound) or out (northbound.
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-johnthomas5966
Rain and train with the sound of wheelflats as the musical accompaniment. What could be more evocative? Your American vlogs show a maturing of your style. More personal and insightful. Do more of that. We (or at least I/me) are more interested in what you find interesting and your insights into the scenery, engineering and history than the seat pitch or the soap in the toilets. Don't be too afraid of your pieces to camera. Yes you have Northern French accent but (unlike Glasgow, Newcastle. or Texan) it's understandable to the whole of the English speaking world if you speak reasonably slowly and we get better to learn what you think know and care about which is actually more interesting to those of us who find your vlogs interesting. For example this is a non-journey with nobody aboard that rates pretty low on the hierarchy of great railway journeys of the world but for 22k of us (and counting) it was a delight
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Rain and train with the sound of wheelflats as the musical accompaniment. What could be more evocative? Your American vlogs show a maturing of your style. More personal and insightful. Do more of that. We (or at least I/me) are more interested in what you find interesting and your insights into the scenery, engineering and history than the seat pitch or the soap in the toilets. Don't be too afraid of your pieces to camera. Yes you have Northern French accent but (unlike Glasgow, Newcastle. or Texan) it's understandable to the whole of the English speaking world if you speak reasonably slowly and we get better to learn what you think know and care about which is actually more interesting to those of us who find your vlogs interesting. For example this is a non-journey with nobody aboard that rates pretty low on the hierarchy of great railway journeys of the world but for 22k of us (and counting) it was a delight
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-MattMcIrvin
I often see this train go by in my walks around Haverhill, Massachusetts! Right after crossing the Merrimack you went through my neighborhood, about 500 feet from my house (right after the Bradford MBTA station. It's the only Amtrak service that goes through here, but I've never ridden it. The lack of a North-South Station link in Boston means it's not useful for going to points south (there's a coach service from Salem, NH to South Station with copious free parking at the depot that is useful if we need to ride Amtrak further south, and as a way to get from Haverhill to Portland it's not very competitive with driving.
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I often see this train go by in my walks around Haverhill, Massachusetts! Right after crossing the Merrimack you went through my neighborhood, about 500 feet from my house (right after the Bradford MBTA station. It's the only Amtrak service that goes through here, but I've never ridden it. The lack of a North-South Station link in Boston means it's not useful for going to points south (there's a coach service from Salem, NH to South Station with copious free parking at the depot that is useful if we need to ride Amtrak further south, and as a way to get from Haverhill to Portland it's not very competitive with driving.
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-jcur3118
That rattling noise is probably generated by the flat wheels they can't seem to control. Amfleets suffer from them for what ever reason. Usually too much time in the road, not enough time on the lathe, and Amtrak's -'run it till it dies- philosophy. Very sad. I took one trip where the sleeper had wheels so flat (Coast Starlight, or -Starlate- as we called it) it was miserable! The vibrations were so bad at speed, my head kept bouncing up and down off my pillow, trying to sleep. Amtrak trains do not have anti lock brake systems. Another reason the government has no business running trains.
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That rattling noise is probably generated by the flat wheels they can't seem to control. Amfleets suffer from them for what ever reason. Usually too much time in the road, not enough time on the lathe, and Amtrak's -'run it till it dies- philosophy. Very sad. I took one trip where the sleeper had wheels so flat (Coast Starlight, or -Starlate- as we called it) it was miserable! The vibrations were so bad at speed, my head kept bouncing up and down off my pillow, trying to sleep. Amtrak trains do not have anti lock brake systems. Another reason the government has no business running trains.
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-GaryGP40
I've ridden this train and it's great. Funny enough, it goes right behind the building I work (I can walk down the hall and I am right next to the tracks) and once in a while it goes by my house (which is odd as its not on the NH main line. Fun train to take to see Portland and enjoy a nice ride. I was super happy when Amtrak brought this service back. It was sorely lacking, and it is well used which is great! If they keep adding to it, you might be able to get to Mt. Katahdin and Canada pretty soon! :D
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I've ridden this train and it's great. Funny enough, it goes right behind the building I work (I can walk down the hall and I am right next to the tracks) and once in a while it goes by my house (which is odd as its not on the NH main line. Fun train to take to see Portland and enjoy a nice ride. I was super happy when Amtrak brought this service back. It was sorely lacking, and it is well used which is great! If they keep adding to it, you might be able to get to Mt. Katahdin and Canada pretty soon! :D
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train
This is my local service and I feel pride watching this video. The station in the beginning is also local to me. My Mimi lives close to another stop too. I took it once to the Maine terminus in Brunswick just to enjoy time with Family. I will never forget that day (I rode a heritage unit too and soon after caught the same engine, Amtrak 100. So yeah this video brings me joy and I love it.
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This is my local service and I feel pride watching this video. The station in the beginning is also local to me. My Mimi lives close to another stop too. I took it once to the Maine terminus in Brunswick just to enjoy time with Family. I will never forget that day (I rode a heritage unit too and soon after caught the same engine, Amtrak 100. So yeah this video brings me joy and I love it.
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-JohnsTrainVideos
I can't get over how smooth and quiet this train is. I don't just mean that as a reference to this video either. I live vear near the route, and you can hear commuter rail trains smacking down the track all day long. Then a downeaster comes by and its so quiet, if the locomotive is in the back pushing, you literally won't hear it coming. It can sneak right up on you.
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I can't get over how smooth and quiet this train is. I don't just mean that as a reference to this video either. I live vear near the route, and you can hear commuter rail trains smacking down the track all day long. Then a downeaster comes by and its so quiet, if the locomotive is in the back pushing, you literally won't hear it coming. It can sneak right up on you.
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-de-fault_de-fault
10: 32 last week I rode from Boston to Metropark (NJ) in this end spot of an Amfleet 1 with my wife and our five year old daughter and it was perfect for us, but I was also thinking it would be a tight squeeze for adults facing each other. But across the aisle was a party of three adults and they seemed to manage well enough. They stayed on even longer than we did.
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10: 32 last week I rode from Boston to Metropark (NJ) in this end spot of an Amfleet 1 with my wife and our five year old daughter and it was perfect for us, but I was also thinking it would be a tight squeeze for adults facing each other. But across the aisle was a party of three adults and they seemed to manage well enough. They stayed on even longer than we did.
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-nnbtv67
Great video! I've just travelled on the Downeaster, first from Portland to Brunswick, then the same route as you, Brunswick to Boston North Station. Loved it, although I wish the schedule was more regular (and that there were more than five trains a day, although since many Amtrak services have just one train a day, I shouldn't complain too much.
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Great video! I've just travelled on the Downeaster, first from Portland to Brunswick, then the same route as you, Brunswick to Boston North Station. Loved it, although I wish the schedule was more regular (and that there were more than five trains a day, although since many Amtrak services have just one train a day, I shouldn't complain too much.
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-jimhejduk4960
Durham is NOT in Maine; it's in New Hampshire (as plainly identified on the station sign as the home of the U. of NH) and you misidentified Haverhill, MA as Hammerick (or something like that. Mistakes like this certainly give pause to your credibility (though I normally enjoy your videos.
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Durham is NOT in Maine; it's in New Hampshire (as plainly identified on the station sign as the home of the U. of NH) and you misidentified Haverhill, MA as Hammerick (or something like that. Mistakes like this certainly give pause to your credibility (though I normally enjoy your videos.
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-andrewclark8630
I'll be sorry to see those Amfleet coaches go. They were designed to be like an aircraft interior - not sure why, but it makes for a unique experience. The old fabric seats were better than the new hard ones though. Seats are getting harder around the world - that's progress for you.
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I'll be sorry to see those Amfleet coaches go. They were designed to be like an aircraft interior - not sure why, but it makes for a unique experience. The old fabric seats were better than the new hard ones though. Seats are getting harder around the world - that's progress for you.
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train
The Amfleets are not quite 50 years old, having been delivered in 1975 and '76. They are on at least their third or fourth refurbishment since delivered. From what I've seen of most European equipment, most coaches over there would have long been scrapped by this age. Good old Budd stainless!
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The Amfleets are not quite 50 years old, having been delivered in 1975 and '76. They are on at least their third or fourth refurbishment since delivered. From what I've seen of most European equipment, most coaches over there would have long been scrapped by this age. Good old Budd stainless!
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-lochas9901
Great video. great route and great train. But how in hell does that route survive without customers? No cars in the parking lot at Portland, and no one on the platform. No one on the train itself, other than a single attendant. It's like a ghost train, and that makes me sad.
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Great video. great route and great train. But how in hell does that route survive without customers? No cars in the parking lot at Portland, and no one on the platform. No one on the train itself, other than a single attendant. It's like a ghost train, and that makes me sad.
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-mattheww2797
Lol my gf and I and another couple got stuck in the 4 seater from NYC to Philly, it was tight but not completely unreasonable, you do want to know the person you're sitting across from through as you'll be quite comfortable with them
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Lol my gf and I and another couple got stuck in the 4 seater from NYC to Philly, it was tight but not completely unreasonable, you do want to know the person you're sitting across from through as you'll be quite comfortable with them
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-dukctape
that cafe menu is something to envy. even other state-supported routes aren't so lucky. the pennsylvanian even uses the standard NEC menu despite using the Amfleet IIs meanwhile this is using Amfleet I and gets a special menu! jealous
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that cafe menu is something to envy. even other state-supported routes aren't so lucky. the pennsylvanian even uses the standard NEC menu despite using the Amfleet IIs meanwhile this is using Amfleet I and gets a special menu! jealous
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-notch8c40
Whatever way is boston, there will most likely be a F40, This is because of diesel pollution in the north station, And in the seats with parties of 3 or more, One end has more room than the other for some reason.
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Whatever way is boston, there will most likely be a F40, This is because of diesel pollution in the north station, And in the seats with parties of 3 or more, One end has more room than the other for some reason.
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-JohnsTrainVideos
Also, your train took the MBTA Haverhill line all the way in to Boston. Usually they cross over to the Lowell Line in Wilmington and take that line down. I wonder why they went the way they did this day?
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Also, your train took the MBTA Haverhill line all the way in to Boston. Usually they cross over to the Lowell Line in Wilmington and take that line down. I wonder why they went the way they did this day?
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-Delta-pantages
The most irritating thing about US locos is having the bell ringing when entering a station - at all times of the day. Why? Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed the videos. I learn a lot from you, thank you.
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The most irritating thing about US locos is having the bell ringing when entering a station - at all times of the day. Why? Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed the videos. I learn a lot from you, thank you.
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-joshweinstein5345
Love your reports, especially this one as I didn't even know about the Downeaster (and my family is originally from the Boston area) Now I know the next Amtrak route I want to ride! -
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Love your reports, especially this one as I didn't even know about the Downeaster (and my family is originally from the Boston area) Now I know the next Amtrak route I want to ride! -
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-DanielsUKT
Nice trip report. I liked the really big seats they must be very comfortable also new England is the region I would like to visit the most if I get the chance to visit America in the future
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Nice trip report. I liked the really big seats they must be very comfortable also new England is the region I would like to visit the most if I get the chance to visit America in the future
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-stevenikitas8170
Notice how few passengers there are, like on many Amtrak trains. And this comes after heavy subsidies from the states and federal taxpayers. Amtrak is a costly and inefficient waste.
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Notice how few passengers there are, like on many Amtrak trains. And this comes after heavy subsidies from the states and federal taxpayers. Amtrak is a costly and inefficient waste.
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-wjgthatsit2357
ah yes, the Dirigoian people's express! runs more efficiently than any other locomotive in the universe! praise the glorious leader Janet. T. Mills for her mighty invention!
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ah yes, the Dirigoian people's express! runs more efficiently than any other locomotive in the universe! praise the glorious leader Janet. T. Mills for her mighty invention!
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-malcolmragan1493
I don't blame you for not including any footage of North Station! It really does not welcome anyone to Boston, so sad that's it has been left in such a sorry state.
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I don't blame you for not including any footage of North Station! It really does not welcome anyone to Boston, so sad that's it has been left in such a sorry state.
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-brendamannino6775
I live near the track in a Wells and watch ( and video) the Downeaster frequently. It flies by! Have also ridden it from Wells to Boston and back, very enjoyable.
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I live near the track in a Wells and watch ( and video) the Downeaster frequently. It flies by! Have also ridden it from Wells to Boston and back, very enjoyable.
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-AVeryRandomPerson
1: 51
Amtrak Cascades still has 5 NPCUs and at least 1 set is out every day, the San Joaquins has 3 Comet sets with NPCUs, and the Hiawatha still uses them
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1: 51
Amtrak Cascades still has 5 NPCUs and at least 1 set is out every day, the San Joaquins has 3 Comet sets with NPCUs, and the Hiawatha still uses them
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-johanfalk2875
I-m as American as it gets and have never heard of a whoopie. Must be a very regional pastry. Awesome ride! Riding a train on a cold rainy day is def a vibe haha.
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I-m as American as it gets and have never heard of a whoopie. Must be a very regional pastry. Awesome ride! Riding a train on a cold rainy day is def a vibe haha.
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-colanitower
I like the low-slung outside appearance of the Amfleet cars. They look like high speed even when standing still at the platform. A '60s but still modern vibe.
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I like the low-slung outside appearance of the Amfleet cars. They look like high speed even when standing still at the platform. A '60s but still modern vibe.
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-Ilebuda
So this is the level of train infrastructure in a country that has money to spend 2. 3 trillion USD to take Afghanistan from Taliban to give it back to Taliban?
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So this is the level of train infrastructure in a country that has money to spend 2. 3 trillion USD to take Afghanistan from Taliban to give it back to Taliban?
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-Shuotography
I think the Amtrak Cascades also still has some F40 NPCUs in service. They are not found on every train on that line but some trains still have them.
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I think the Amtrak Cascades also still has some F40 NPCUs in service. They are not found on every train on that line but some trains still have them.
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-joshgardner8238
10: 04 Thats the Mason & Hamlin Piano factory. If you are ever in the area it-s well worth a tour they produce very high end instruments.
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10: 04 Thats the Mason & Hamlin Piano factory. If you are ever in the area it-s well worth a tour they produce very high end instruments.
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-warriorstar2517
Durham, New Hampshire, not Durham, Maine. Durham, Maine doesn-t even have any tracks through it at all. Fantastic video all the same!
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Durham, New Hampshire, not Durham, Maine. Durham, Maine doesn-t even have any tracks through it at all. Fantastic video all the same!
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-SteamboatWilley
It is a bit strange how the bays of four have hardly any legroom between them and no tables. Not so good for groups of three or four.
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It is a bit strange how the bays of four have hardly any legroom between them and no tables. Not so good for groups of three or four.
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train
Anyone who wants to see an F40 in action complete with engine roar, check out VIA Rail Canada which still had 53 of them on its active roster.
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Anyone who wants to see an F40 in action complete with engine roar, check out VIA Rail Canada which still had 53 of them on its active roster.
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train
Cab + Baggage = Cabbage. Why didn't I know that? I guess that's where they store any Checked Baggage along the way. You learn something new.
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Cab + Baggage = Cabbage. Why didn't I know that? I guess that's where they store any Checked Baggage along the way. You learn something new.
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