HHP-8

Infobox Locomotive
name=HHP-8


caption= HHP-8 661 at BWI Rail Station
powertype=Electric
gauge=RailGauge|sg
poweroutput=8,000 hp
builder=Bombardier Transportation, Alstom
railroad=Amtrak and MARC
roadnumber=AMT 650-664;
MARC 4910-4915
totalproduction=21
aarwheels=B-B
electricsystem=11,000 V AC, 25 Hz
11,000-13,500 V AC, 60 Hz
25,000 V AC, 60 Hz
topspeed=125 mph (201 km/h) for Metroliner and Regional
110 mph (177 km/h) for long-distance trains
collectionmethod=Overhead AC with dual pantographs
nicknames = Rhinos
locale = Northeast Regional
The HHP-8, is a double-ended electric locomotive manufactured by a consortium of Bombardier and Alstom. HHP-8 stands for High HorsePower 8000. The HHP-8s replaced the GE E60s and supplement the aging AEM-7s on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor, though some of the AEM-7s have been upgraded to AEM-7ACs to match the hauling power of the HHP-8s. The locomotive can haul Amfleet cars at speeds of up to 125 mph. They are sometimes referred to by train crews as "Rhinos".

Maryland Rail Commuter (MARC) also operates HHP-8s on its Penn Line between Perryville and Washington, DC.

The locomotives are visually similar to Acela power cars, but they have noticeably shorter and stubbier noses. The HHP-8s are equipped with visible couplers and HEP receptacles at both ends. These are hidden by covers on the front end of Acela power cars during normal operations.

During testing of the equipment between 1999 and 2000 the locomotives experienced a number of problems related to the differing power supply voltages used over the Northeast Corridor. They were designed to automatically switch between voltages, but this feature malfunctioned in testing. Cracking in the trucks was identified as a potential problem during testing. Safety officials at the time felt that potential crack development could be identified before failure with proper inspection.

In August 2002, the HHP-8s were also briefly removed from service when the brackets that connected truck dampers (shocks) to the locomotive car bodies ("yaw dampers") were found to be cracking. The locomotives were then returned to service when a program of frequent inspections was instituted. The damper brackets have since been redesigned and the old brackets replaced with the newer design.

External links

* [http://www.on-track-on-line.com/amtkrinf-hhp8date.shtml The HHP-8 Conditional Acceptance Dates by On Track On Line]
* HHP-8 Photos at [http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?locomotive=Bombardier/Alstom%20HHP-8 Railpictures.net] and [http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locoList.aspx?mid=686 RR Picture Archives]
* [http://hebners.net/amtrak/amtACELAHHP8 Amtrak Photo Archives]