SUPER RARE!! Dash 8 #503 leads Amtrak #6 in Ottumwa, IA 11/18/10

Today I went up to Ottumwa to watch trains like I normally do. Waiting for Amtrak, I hear the dispatcher give Amtrak a warrant across the IC&E junction west of the station. That's when I hear the dispatcher address "Amtrak A-M-T-K 503 five zero three..." A PEPSI CAN!! I couldn't believe it! Thank goodness I had my video camera along this time (I've been taking still photos a lot lately)! Sure enough, the train pulled in with beautiful Dash 8-32BWH #503 in the lead, followed by P42's #125 and #25. Apparently, after I briefly talked to the engineer who got off at Ottumwa, #503 was placed on the train after having problems with one of the Genesis units. I'm guessing it was put on the train in California as I seem to recall 503 is based there (?). Nevertheless, it was a sight to behold!! It's EXTREMELY rare to see these engines on the Zephyr, not to mention leading. In fact, this is the first time I've seen a different engine besides Genesis leading an Amtrak train in at least 13 years. (you heard right - thirteen years!!) Since I mainly see trains around the midwest, Genesis has pretty much been all I've seen since they replaced the F40's in the late 1990's, so this was a nice change! LOL!

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Amtrak
• Dash
• 8-32BWH
• P32
• Pepsi
• Can
• Phase
• 503
• California
• Zephyr
• eastbound
• Ottumwa
• Iowa
• IA
• November
• 2010

[countrymusicgtavboy2]

why is it called a pepsi can?

[EverywhereWest]

@countrymusicgtavboy2 When they were in their original as-delivered paint schemes, they got that nickname because the Amtrak livery resembled the styling of a Pepsi can. The Dash 8's were the only units that were painted that way. Today they've all been repainted.

[supersurfliner]

how come dash 8's are so common on the starlight but not the zephyr?

[EverywhereWest]

@supersurfliner I think more of them are used in LA (507 and 510 are based there, I think). Not sure how many they have at Emeryville/Oakland. Caltrans has their two (2051 and 2052), and one of them actually led the Zephyr once years ago.

[jpsmith81]

I didn't know a Dash 8 could be used for passenger service. Is it capable of producing head end power? Or is that what the GE Genesis units are there for?

[EverywhereWest]

@jpsmith81 Also, Amtrak's Dash 8's have HEP, but not the freight varients like the Dash 8-40BW.

[AlcoFan2010]

@roccotoothycombs i know, i just love the different look of the dash 8. They look like they took a freight locomotive and just painted em' silver and blue!

[roccotoothycombs]

@AlcoFan2010 the genesis is pretty much a dash 8

[roccotoothycombs]

@jpsmith81 the genesis is pretty much a dash 8 as well.

[ccastro319]

@MrAmtrak457 I know, I've seen it recently on the Starlight.

[MrAmtrak457]

@ccastro319 503 has been on the Starlight rotation as of late.

[schrap72]

Love those Dashes!!!!

[AlcoFan2010]

Wish they had more dash 8's

[ccastro319]

503 is based in California along with 505, 507, 509, and 510 but are getting used a lot on the starlight. 510 has been the most used right now for the last month. 503 right now has disappeared from CA.

[calclif]

@RobloxVideo25 the passenger cars have constant brakes

[6V92TA]

@EverywhereWest The only rail to use this type of locomotive is Santa Fe and those were B40-8Ws. These B32-8Ws are basically P32DCs. Santa Fe's B40-8Ws are geared to pull Piggy Backs n Stacks at 75mph on flat ground with ease. On hills, they're pretty much useless. B32-8Ws are geared to crack nearly 115mph.