Amtrak NPCU Conversions

In later years, as Amtrak's F40PH fleet was being replaced by the newer GE Genesis

GE Genesis

GE Genesis is a series of passenger locomotives produced by GE Transportation Systems, a subsidiary of General Electric...

-series locomotives, Amtrak converted a number of the retired units—generally ones with major mechanical problems limiting their value in the resale or lease marketplace—into "Non-Power Control Unit" cab cars. Commonly known as "Cabbages," a portmanteau of "cab" and "baggage," these units had their prime movers and traction motors removed, and a large roll-up door installed in the side, allowing the former engine compartment to be used for baggage. The units were renumbered into Amtrak's car-series numbers by adding "90" before the former locomotive number; thus, the original F40PH, number 200, became NPCU number 90200.

Five NPCUs converted for Amtrak Cascades

Amtrak Cascades

The Amtrak Cascades is a passenger train route operated by Amtrak in partnership with the states of Washington and Oregon in the Pacific Northwest of the United States and the province of British Columbia in Canada...

 service in the Pacific Northwest were rebuilt without the roll-up doors found on the other conversions. The Talgo

Talgo

Talgo is a Spanish manufacturer of railway vehicles. It is best known for a design of articulated railway passenger cars in which the wheels are mounted in pairs, but not joined by an axle, and being between rather than underneath the individual coaches...

 sets used on these trains have a dedicated baggage car, so these NPCUs are used as cab cars only.

Extant former Amtrak examples

There are currently a few ex-Amtrak locomotives that are in railroad museums, private owners and various commuter agencies; listed by Amtrak road number:

• AMTK 231, owned by Chris Fussell/Friends of SP 4449 in Portland, OR.
• AMTK 237, In Daily Service on the Grand Canyon Railway (GCRX 237).
• AMTK 239, In Daily Service on the Grand Canyon Railway (GCRX 239).
• AMTK 242, Denver Ski Train, SKTX 242
• AMTK 243, Agence métropolitaine de transport (AMT) 243
• AMTK 256, Metrolink LA (sold, unknown disposition)
• AMTK 265, Maine Eastern Railroad 265, now Transport Ferroviaire Tshiuetin TSH600
• AMTK 269, Age of Steam Foundation, OHCR 460
• AMTK 270, Agence métropolitaine de transport (AMT) 270
• AMTK 280, CSXT 9998
• AMTK 281, California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, CA.
• AMTK 283, Denver Ski Train, SKTX 283
• AMTK 287, Agence métropolitaine de transport (AMT) 287
• AMTK 288, CSXT 9999
• AMTK 291, Maine Eastern Railroad 291, now Transport Ferroviaire Tshiuetin TSH601
• AMTK 295, In Daily Service on the Grand Canyon Railway (GCRX 295).
• AMTK 307, under restoration at the NCTM in Spencer, NC.
• AMTK 308, MNCR 4193 (converted to F40PH-2CAT)
• AMTK 310, MNCR 4194 (converted to F40PH-2CAT)
• AMTK 315, Acquired by NCDOT for use on passenger train service between Raleigh
  Raleigh, North Carolina
  Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
  
   and Charlotte
  Charlotte, North Carolina
  Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
  
   known as the Piedmont.
• AMTK 319, Agence métropolitaine de transport (AMT) 319
• AMTK 332, Nashville Music City Star / MCS 120
• AMTK 338, Metrolink LA (sold, unknown deposition)
• AMTK 348, Age of Steam Foundation, OHCR 452
• AMTK 363, Tri-Rail 810 (underwent conversion to add separate HEP generator)
• AMTK 365, VRE V33
• AMTK 372, Agence métropolitaine de transport (AMT) 372
• AMTK 379, Tri-Rail 811 (underwent conversion to add separate HEP generator)
• AMTK 381, Nashville Music City Star / NERR/MCS 381 (on lease from NERR
  Nashville and Eastern Railroad
  The Nashville and Eastern Railroad is a short line railroad which administers 137 miles of track between Nashville, Tennessee and Monterey, Tennessee, of which 130 miles are currently operational. The company is based in Lebanon, Tennessee....
  
  )
• AMTK 390, CSXT 9992
• AMTK 395, CSXT 9993
• AMTK 396, Metrolink LA / SCAX 800
• AMTK 398, Nashville Music City Star / MCS 121
• AMTK 399, Nashville Music City Star / MCS 122
• AMTK 400, Agence métropolitaine de transport (AMT) 400
• AMTK 411, Agence métropolitaine de transport (AMT) 411, ex GO Transit 511

Rebuilding

In 2007, Via Rail

VIA Rail

Via Rail Canada is an independent crown corporation offering intercity passenger rail services in Canada. It is headquartered near Montreal Central Station at 3 Place Ville-Marie in Montreal, Quebec....

 awarded CAD Railway Industries a CAD

Canadian dollar

The Canadian dollar is the currency of Canada. As of 2007, the Canadian dollar is the 7th most traded currency in the world. It is abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or C$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...

100 million contract to rebuild its F-40s. The rebuild program, which is due to finish in 2012, includes HEP generators, new engines, cruise control

Cruise control

Cruise control is a system that automatically controls the speed of a motor vehicle. The system takes over the throttle of the car to maintain a steady speed as set by the driver.-History:...

, cab air-conditioning, jump seat and microwave, sun screen and a new paint scheme.

Variants

• EMD F40PH
• EMD F40PHR
• EMD F40PH-2
• EMD F40PH-2C
• EMD F40PH-2CAT
• EMD F40PHM-2
• M-K F40PHL-2
• M-K F40PHM-2C
• MPI F40PH-2C
• MPI F40PH-3C

External links

• Amtrak Photo Archives
• VIA Rail F40PH Photo Archives
• "Diesels on the Northeast Corridor"