Engines of Amtrak - EMD AEM-7 [REMAKE]

By the late 1970s, Amtrak had a bit of a motive power struggle on the Northeast Corridor. Their choices were: the old 1930s-era GG1, serviceable but mostly mechanically unreliable Metroliner EMU, or the rough riding and heavyweight E60. In short, there really weren't any great options. With that said, Amtrak turned to the more railroad-innovative Europe for answers. Help arrived in the form of Sweden's Rc4 and France's CC21000 locomotives. Both were given trials throughout 1976 and 77, but only one came out on top. I'm sure you probably already know the answer, but watch the video anyway to find out more about the AEM-7's history!
Thanks to those who sent in photos and videos:
SPCridge2012
/ spcridge2012
Rex_The_Railfanner
/ @rex_the_railfanner
G-Man
/ @gman9029
Lansdale Railfan Productions
/ lansdalerailfanproduct...
Wes8761
/ wes8761
Music Used:
Super Mario Galaxy - File Select
Team Fortress 2 - Archimedes
Team Fortress 2 - Upgrade Station
Deltarune - Lancer
Deltarune - WELCOME TO THE CITY
Kirby 64 The Crystal Shards - Training Theme
Dedede's Drum Dash Deluxe - Title
Yume Nikki - Martian Underground
Deltarune - Cyber Battle
Kirby 64 The Crystal Shards - Race Game (Gourmet Race)
Deltarune - Friendship
Paper Mario The Thousand-Year Door - Mail for the Mario Brothers
Links:
Twitter: / amtrakguy365
Instagram: / amtrakguy365
Flickr: www.flickr.com/people/1424538...
My Site: amtrakguy365.weebly.com/

[@harrisonofcolorado8886]

I still remember when the Wikipedia page on Amtrak's rolling stock still had the AEM-7 as "active fleet".

[@MatthewTheRailfanner]

Wouldn't surprise me if they're backup units, but I'm doubtful that they are. They still have a bunch in storage.

[@NickelPlateMxne]

It’s Wikipedia man, they always spread false information, what do ya expect

[@MatthewTheRailfanner]

Jesus christ, no need to capitalise on a simple misunderstanding, lmfao

[@harrisonofcolorado8886]

@@MatthewTheRailfanner I'm sorry, I got irrational and didn't think clearly.

[@NickelPlateMxne]

@@MatthewTheRailfanner but anyway some AEM-7s still exist, but are not in Amtrak’s modern locomotive roster with the chargers, ACS-64s, Bombardier Acelas and the other engines

[@ironhorsehistorian9871]

2:38 Sure most don’t care but as a fan of old geopolitics, I liked that you used an accurate map for the time period. :)

[@ninyaninjabrifsanovichthes45]

Same.

[@jordandorsett3106]

I also like that too

[@AmtrakFan130]

5:45 makes me wanna cry🥺

[@RowanSimpson-pi4ll]

I live in SE Pennsylvania. So I get to see AEM-7 915 a lot.

[@RowanSimpson-pi4ll]

#915 #AEM7

[@JamesJones-bp3bc]

The AEM7s will always be remembered.

[@nathancorcoran5347]

That’s Right.

[@traincrash7099]

Yea

[@purplebrick131]

I like the look of them, they remind me of the bricks Deutsche Bundesbahn built in the E10 family. The order number had me a bit shocked though, 54 is a miniscule number

[@miroslavtordaj5852]

I love the "All Aboard Amtrak" song!

[@nathancorcoran5347]

I saw Amtrak EMD AEM-7 915 at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania back in September 5th 2021. Along with Amtrak E60 603. Quite amazing video of the Amtrak electric locomotive used for it’s system.

[@amtrakproductions-mx9ib]

Me too

[@nathancorcoran5347]

@@amtrakproductions-mx9ib I live in San Jose, California. I only went to the Strasburg Railroad and the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania twice. I first went there when I was young child. Then I returned in September 5th 2021. But I do hope to come back.

[@atlantis0v-104]

@@nathancorcoran5347 Hi Corcoran. Do you Make videos?

[@nathancorcoran5347]

@@atlantis0v-104 no. But sometime in the future I will.

[@System6VideoProductions]

I have a picture of it.

[@malachimuhammad-dy2ow]

Amtrak's AEM-7s did so well on Amtrak's intercity services on trains such as.... 1. Keystone Service. 2. Carolinan. 3. Cardinal. 4. Crescent. 5. Three Rivers. 6. Fast Mail Services 7. Montrealer. 8. Twilight Shorliner. 9. Rainbow Service. 10. Acela Regional. 11. Palmetto. 12. Pennsylvanian. 13. Northeast Direct. 14. Northeast Regional. 15. Metroliner Service. 16. Vermonter. 17. Limited-stop Silver Service.

[@niagarafallstechnician9029]

That is a very great poem about the AEM-7, isn’t it AmtrakGuy365?

[@Trains-With-Shane]

I love the 8-bit music you're using in these videos.

[@philipgraziano5577]

I am a retired Amtrak engineer, hired in 1974. Got to run my favorite, GG-1 at 110 mph. Then, got to run the hunk of crap E-60! The AEM7 was a BIG upgrade. Small but powerful.

[@MicahtheDrumCorpsPseudoboomer]

Was the AEM-7 an upgrade to the GG1 as well as the E60, or was it just an upgrade to the E60? Also, how the heck did you see out of the GG1's tiny cab windows?

[@TheLongIslandRailfan]

UPDATE: NJTR ALP-44M No. 4424 is preserved at the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey in Boonton, NJ and AMTK AEM-7 #917 was acquired and moved to the Danbury Railway Museum in Danbury, CT.

[@augologo]

ii'm going to the Strasbourg this summer! excited to see 915!

[@speedborb3324]

Id ride with my dad down to NY from Boston all the time by train. Nothing can replace the sight of seeing the AEM7 staring you down as it pulled into the station. I miss those engines.

[@danius_huganius]

took "Cigars kills" to a whole new level

[@kyletroknya2419]

I can’t believe how amazing these electric locomotives are. Amtrak knew how to make locomotives back then compared to today

[@demonorca9539]

Could you please do vids on Amtrak's E and F-units? I know they weren't made specifically for Amtrak itself, but they played a huge role in its history and development since they were some of the first locomotives they had.

[@Sourcemaster1]

This and gg1s

[@Transportationfan1421]

Sadly septa’s AEM-7s have been unfortunately scrapped in may 2022 they will really be missed 😪

[@anthonyhunt701]

Loving the remakes!👍🏻🚂

[@i_am_in_your_closet]

Yes the day that i have been waiting for

[@CSXIV]

I didn't realize Caltrain repainted one of the old AEM-7's before sending her out to try out the Peninsula Corridor. Especially since the current plan involves just using it for testing (Caltain has gotten away with not painting secondhand equipment; see all the old Metrolink Bombardier bilevel cars). Last time I saw them, they were still parked in San Francisco in the Amtrak livery (though with logos removed), ready to test out the first electrified heavy rail corridor on the west coast. And I think it's now sitting next to the first of the new EMU's. Kinda fitting since Caltrain looked into the viability of the AEM-7 when they first looked at electrification back in the early 90's.

[@Monothefox]

It would be nice so see a video on the highspeed trails too. Amtrak borrowed an X2 tilting train, built by the same swedish companies that made the Rc locomotives.

[@elijaha773]

Peter Dibble has a good video on the X2.

[@dennisyoung4631]

NoDag?

[@socalledfreethinker]

5:23 is a bit incorrect. The keystone corridor Metroliner sets only had catenary poles up for electricity and ac/ heating inside the car. The only reason they used them from 1981-1984 was for the ability to run push-pull operations, and they where never broken down because they where never applying any traction.

[@Trainboy3982]

Amazing Job

[@AdurianJ]

I see the Rc4 predecessors of these every day here in Sweden

[@himbourbanist]

The ACS-64 units are such respectable successors to the AEM-7s. They're actually one of my favorites Amtrak has ever run.

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

I'm excited for the Dash-8 episode. I actually have a video clip back in 2019 when it trailed behind P42 #137 on Amtrak Coast Starlight 14 when it pulled into Albany Oregon very late. And I have another one of another Dash 8 on Amtrak Coast Starlight 11 in Vancouver WA in February of same year

[@RailsofForney]

Man, 2019 was such a hopeful and positive year for me…then COVID-19 ruined it for me the next year, ironically the DAY BEFORE my birthday…so just thinking back to pre-COVID always makes me nostalgic, this here is just another testimony pointing there.

[@SethMarcell]

As a MARC rider, this made me feel real good. Great vid!

[@hmhobbies]

One thing to mention is that MARC keeps their AEM-7s in operational condition in the case of a mass power shortage.

[@hmhobbies]

@Commodore Cardinal not that I know of, but the hippos are unreliable as always and the mp36s are scheduled for a mid life overhaul, so they may need them

[@Railfan166]

I have climbed on 945, probably my favorite engine at the IRM besides the UP 1848 that I blew the horn on

[@Souleii]

I never stop learning about learning about the railroad, but you make learning both easy and interesting. It’s fun to learn new things about locomotives, and your method of presentation works so well, especially when information is not attained for long. It was a few weeks back when I watched the ACS-64 vid that I found out that the AEM-7s were long retired, but it also lead me to find out that I can still see one at the Illinois Railway Museum nearby :D I can’t wait to see what else is in the making!

[@midmichiganemdrailfan.4187]

Cool Amtrak Toaster locomotives & Mario.

[@MJstudioversion2024]

AEM-7’s had the best K5LA’s ever!

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

The F40PHs horns were so good as well. Think about it. Both do/did actually

[@nathancorcoran5347]

Also CalTrain is in the city that I live in. San Jose, California.

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

@@nathancorcoran5347 Caltrain has cool horns as well, but no lt as good as Amtraks

[@nathancorcoran5347]

@@adventuresofamtrakcascades301 it’s the same like Amtrak.

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

@@nathancorcoran5347 yes

[@martinezhandyman1242]

I also can't wait for the Genesis and bombardier/allston hhp 8

[@crsrdash-840b5]

Wow..I feel so ashame. I rode behind them in the 1980's out of DC and never appreciate them. i wish I had got to know them better.

[@jimmymakmta]

I will always love the AEM-7s

[@nigelrichardson4327]

I will forever thank myself from 2015 for snagging a video of AMTK 919 on an inbound keystone, mere months before it’s retirement. In September 2020 my brother and I would locate the storage line in Davisville RI and pay our respects to the veteran engines. Wish I had submitted one of my photos in time for the video but excellent content as always!

[@ElliottsTog]

Can you do the Flexline/IC3 train? Part of the project with the ICE and the X2000 train in the 1990s

[@ericmiller9067]

Another great video, Jared!

[@thatsicilian787]

Love it! And I haven’t even watched it yet!That’s how good this channel is, you know the video’s gonna be good before you even watch it.

[@Railfaner341]

IV BEEN WAITING

[@neiln4281]

3:13, That’s the locomotive involved in the Chase collision.

[@atomsmash100]

Great video. The AEM-7 is remembered fondly by railfans and by Amtrak. Definitely the locomotive "that could"!

[@leekyo1502]

9:53 SEPTA 2304: Hey guys, I'm still alive

[@goldgamercommenting2990]

7:56 - 8:12 Good tribute

[@dennisyoung4631]

The Brave Little (?) Toaster!

[@christopherjohnson5236]

I actually got number #901 in my model layout. Got a piece of history

[@spcridge2012]

Amazingly done! Thank you so much for using my video! I will always remember the AEM-7 as the locomotive that pulled my first Amtrak train ride!

[@anthonyholroyd5359]

Being from the UK I love these trains - I think because they kind of remind me of our class 86 & 87s An 87 with a Rake of Mk3 coaches and a mk 3 DVT . . . That is the iconic west coast mainline stock in my mind (90s + Mk3 & DVT aswell)

[@RedArrow73]

Better to have an AEM7 at each end as is standard American practice these days.

[@HNMusic13]

Just realized this video was uploaded on my birthday. AEM-7 is one of my favorite power cars, even if I never got to ride a train pulled by one.

[@Pozafria]

Very good video! Definetly much better than the original. I've always been interested in railways and the story of Amtrak electrics fascinates me, good job! Also that Deltarune music tho, just makes the video x10000000 times better.

[@martinezhandyman1242]

I just can't wait for the p-32-8BWH

[@pharohthecat]

God Im ab to turn 20 and feel old knowing the engines I rode on as a kid r now in a frickin museum😂😂

[@haaseshouseoscience6377]

Well done, this was abolutely Fantastic! Also, for the MARC AEM-7's, despite them being retired, All 4 of those Toasters are still in Storage at Balitmore Camden yards in Baltimore, MD. I've seen them a lot whenever I'm railfanning in that area.

[@russellgxy2905]

No way! They’re still in Camden??

[@PotomacRails]

@@russellgxy2905 2 of them are sitting in Riverside yard. Not sure about the others though.

[@haaseshouseoscience6377]

@@PotomacRails huh, I wonder if they were moved once again.

[@StationRailfan]

Great video 365! I sure wish i was able to get some photos of the AEM-7s while they were in operation.

[@Gravity461]

I actually saw AEM-7 915 and E60 603 yesterday at the railroad museum of PA!

[@cnwproductions]

Very nice video, I was at the Illinois Railway Museum on the 11th of September, 2021 and saw AEM-7 #945, great engine

[@TripleMofficial15]

Yaaaaay! Yay! Thx for this epic vid!

[@WWII_AEM7_Productions-id5dw]

I love the aem7

[@Sillykittycat951]

i searched up "amtrak toaster" and this showed up lol

[@patrickmcarter6244]

Amazing job AmtrakGuy365! the EMD AEM-7 will be missed.

[@SCL6054Prouctions]

another amazing video amtrakguy

[@lspdunit234]

Every other locomotive : that is one small toaster

[@Swissair171]

1:43 Well, of course the Rc4 handled cold weather well! It was from f***ing *Sweden*!

[@xavierjackson3796]

Hell ya a new episode of my favorite Series

[@Sdp40fguy]

i love how america knows the food of the countrys the meatball from sweden ikea and french fry

[@RedArrow73]

They were the size of an IRT subway car.

[@paulj6756]

Septa recently sent its AEM7s and its ALP44 to Larry's Truck & Electric for scrapping.

[@kevinwong6588]

Sims Metal in Morrisville.

[@jordandorsett3106]

I feel Happy for SJ RC4 (True and Perfect Swedish Mix Traffic Locomotive)

[@jimmypetrock]

love this series

[@Jackcouldnotgethisrevenge]

I have been waiting for this video and it has finally come out. Now I can use some updated information for Amtrak timeline locomotive/ history timeline or something like this.

[@mrsaturngamingandstories]

Nice

[@pstr_93]

Nice video AG365! wish I had got video of these guys in service..

[@lippa79]

Just to add a little information: the bodies of NJ Transit's ALP44 locomotives were made in Finland at Taivalkoski 😎

[@railfangarrett6313]

I rode behind an aem-7 in July of 2015 from BWI Airport Station to Wilmington and it's number was 925

[@AmtrakFlareon]

Nice job with the video Jared!

[@AviationCommercials]

There were rumors last year that some might end up here in Massachusetts when there were plans to test out electrification of the MBTA commuter rail lines. I think some were even towed out this way - but as of 2022 the MBTA seems less interested now in electrification and nothing came of it.

[@uwlwsrpm]

Ayyy, Love Live!

[@danielferrovias]

Dude. I was just rewatching your EOA remakes and now you released a new one.

[@swedishlevelcrossingchanne2745]

Great video! X995 is indeed still in service! Saw it today!

[@nasanierulastname2997]

Strikes me as interesting that we’ve retired our (derived) Rc4s from primary service, while the granddaddy of them all, 1166, continues to ply Swedish rails, though as a freight locomotive.

[@satyakamadvocate1273]

@@nasanierulastname2997 is 1166 the oldest? If not how's it the granddaddy of all RC4s???

[@chez069]

never thought this would get a remake

[@OXN-RailProductions]

awesome!

[@glhx2112]

AEM-7 # 915 that is on outside display at the Railroad Museum in Strasburg, PA, is in pretty rough shape. They really need to drag it inside and clean it up.

[@ninyaninjabrifsanovichthes45]

While I miss the AEM-7s, I don't think we could have asked for a more worthy successor than the ACS-64.

[@edenreyes4747]

Man I always see the aem-7 in penn station

[@Foisy_Avaition]

God like as always!

[@jacobdolman3831]

Looks very nice Amtrakguy365

[@BraydonSCR]

One of my favourite Amtrak trains

[@malachimuhammad-dy2ow]

Amtrak's AEM-7s did well on intercity service, and they would always be remembered.

[@chrismercado3566]

I'm sure u might have heard by now but reppo is making the Aem-7 for tsc and looks way better than the one released back in 2011

[@rottenroads1982]

1:59, Soldier & Spy from TF2. Is Nice.

[@JamesTrifolium]

The oldest trains in Sweden still in revenue service were created the same year Elizabeth II was born.

[@triple7gaming243]

Awesome dude! Can’t wait for the next vid of engines of New York central! Also can’t wait for the dash 8 remake

[@nathancorcoran5347]

Me too.

[@nathancorcoran5347]

Amazing.

[@trainenthusiast7695]

As a swede this video made happy and it made me realize that now I need to hunt for Rc4 1166.

[@Taychit_Aviation]

5:44 the case of chase Maryland accident (gate the driver of the Conrail dash 8 arrested charged with man slaughter by locomotive of the conrail dash 8)

[@patrickd.3681]

11:03. I would’ve said, “ All toasters are brave.” Kudos to anyone who gets that reference.

[@Syracuse_rail_product]

AEM 7s were the best locomotives in the 1980s and 2000s wish the amtrak aem 7s where still in service

[@nathancorcoran5347]

They are pretty cool.

[@mas1305]

I miss seeing the aem-7 on the NEC

[@lemenator2208]

i cant believe that toast was used 3 tines in the ending

[@Cupertinorail]

Still gets to me that I wish GG1 are still in service.

[@rwboa22]

Kinda tough to say about the GG1. Despite it's iconic Art Deco design worthy of a role in any old-time movie from the 1930s and 1940s, by the time NJ Transit retired the last GG1 in 1983, most of the units had cracked chassis that were hastily repaired at the PRR/PC/Amtrak Wilmington, DE shop. Those locomotives were pretty much a catastrophic accident waiting to happen. There are societies out there that would love to see a GG1 be restored to operational condition, but in the end, it would be easier (and cheaper) to build a new GG1 from scratch using modern technologies that are available, including transformers that would allow the GG1 to operate anywhere in the US, provided the overhead traction matches the three overhead traction facilities (12 kV/25 Hz AC; 12 kV/60 Hz AC, and 25 kV/60 Hz AC) operated by Amtrak and Metro-North.