Extremely Rare Amtrak Downeaster NPCU Double-Header + More Rare Amtrak Consists - Late 2023

[@ericschwartz3559]

AMTK 90213 was originally F40PH 213 when built by EMD in April 1976. Rebuilt in December 2001 for the inauguration of Downeaster service on December 17, 2001. 90224 was originally built as F40PH 224 in April 1976. Converted to NPCU 90224 in late 2001.

[@joestrainworldvideos3977]

Great video. Faszinating trains. Joe Give u sub.

[@rail_spike_productions]

Thank you ! Much appreciated

[@ericschwartz3559]

0:27, If one NCPU wasn’t rare enough, a NPCU double-header, now that’s extremely rare. Also, what does NPCU stand for?

[@rail_spike_productions]

An NPCU is a “Non-Powered Control Unit”

[@ericschwartz3559]

What’s the purpose of the Non-Powered Control Units? Sorry if I’m asking a stupid question.

[@rail_spike_productions]

It’s no problem at all. NPCUs work the same as cab cars - they have controls to operate the train via a different locomotive without having an actual engine themselves. They are former Amtrak F40PH locomotives that have had their engines removed. The space where their engines used to be can now be used for baggage storage

[@ericschwartz3559]

The EMD F40PH is what saved Amtrak after the failure of their EMD SDP40F diesel-electric passenger locomotives. It was the mainstay or backbone of Amtrak’s short-haul passenger routes and the railroad’s diesel fleet from the late 1970s until the mid 1990s. The last locomotive made its final assignment on the Maple Leaf on June 1, 2002. This awesome reliability also made other U.S. commuter railroads as well as VIA Rail join the F40 club and purchased units of their own either brand-new builds or remanufactured from older locomotives throughout the 1980s and 1990s in several different variants. The F40PH also saved U.S. passenger rail in the United States and Canada. #LongLiveTheF40s.

[@ericschwartz3559]

Was that an equipment move at 11:25? If so, what was the purpose?

[@rail_spike_productions]

Portland extra equipment move on the back of southbound 688. After arriving at north station the equipment on the rear would get moved through Cambridge and over to the south side, where that crew would come back north with different equipment later on. It’s how new equipment comes to the Downeaster and old equipment leaves

[@ericschwartz3559]

Any idea what the purpose of the NPCU doubleheader was?

[@rail_spike_productions]

I would imagine the trailing NPCU had some sort of failure and could not lead. Normally they add a P42 in front of it if that’s the case, but I honestly have no idea what was going on here lol

[@ericschwartz3559]

Ya, usually a p42 would be added in front of the trailing f40 to give it assistance when it experiences a mechanical failure or another sort of failure. Weird. Also, love the christmas wreath on the front of the locomotive at 10:34. Nice treat to get ready for the holiday season.

[@downeasterailfan]

@@rail_spike_productionsI’m sure there was a P42 shortage and they had a spare NPCU to just throw on there.