The amazing thing about the HHP-8 was how powerful their acceleration was. (well, still is, assuming MARC maintains them) The old "express to BWI" in the pre-2013 schedule often hit 125mph by the time the train crossed the Anacostia. (Because it didn't have to stop at New Carrollton, he, or she, could really gun it after Ivy City Yard!) And this was pulling 8 huge Kawa bilevels full of DC bureaucrats! It's quite possible my phone's GPS was a little off, but I once clocked one at 134 mph a little past the Anacostia bridge! I don't know how the PTC/ACSES speed regulation works exactly, but maybe that loco had a slightly mis-adjusted speedometer? I took a screenshot with my smartphone at the time, but I doubt I would ever find it again. Maybe it was only really 130. By contrast, the MP-36s feel as slow as dirt. And although the SC-44 can technically go 125mph, they almost never hit it because it takes them so long to accelerate to that speed. Also interesting is that the ACS-64s pulling regionals never seemed to have super fast acceleration, except ONCE when I was on a train with a double header of 2 of them. It was almost like a WMATA metro train! Insane! Fastest acceleration I've ever experienced in a loco hauled train, *including* the TGV. I suspect they have some software connection when they are doubled, and can really let it rip in that case. OTOH as a single loco, they might have some current limiter feature to prevent wear and tear, vs. the old HHP-8s that would just instantly apply 100% power from the cat. Who knows, just speculating. PS Glad I don't have to ride MARC anymore and work 100% from home. 🤣
According to MARC, one of the reasons they ordered Chargers for the NEC is because Amtrak was charging them too much for using their OCS, which is extortion, hence Amtrak didn't order ACS-65's like SEPTA did...
Fun fact.. at 125mph, MARC operates the highest speed commuter railroad in the country thanks to their presence on the Penn Line.
No not really. They are still one of the fastest, but there's also NJ transit, which ALSO operates on the penn line, and ALSO goes 125 mph
@WCE107 Njt does not go 125, brother. The top speed of NJT is 100 mph. And it doesn't even operate on the Marc penn line lol.
Gotta love the hhp-8s at speed in MARC, I really have to see one soon at high speed especially!
Something about those Chargers and MP36s at full power at speed is so unique
Oh yeah man 100%, doesn't go like anything else
1:46 I love the loud prime mover in the distance from the mp36
The 16-645F3B engine is fantastic. 927rpm max speed
The amazing thing about the HHP-8 was how powerful their acceleration was. (well, still is, assuming MARC maintains them) The old "express to BWI" in the pre-2013 schedule often hit 125mph by the time the train crossed the Anacostia. (Because it didn't have to stop at New Carrollton, he, or she, could really gun it after Ivy City Yard!) And this was pulling 8 huge Kawa bilevels full of DC bureaucrats! It's quite possible my phone's GPS was a little off, but I once clocked one at 134 mph a little past the Anacostia bridge! I don't know how the PTC/ACSES speed regulation works exactly, but maybe that loco had a slightly mis-adjusted speedometer? I took a screenshot with my smartphone at the time, but I doubt I would ever find it again. Maybe it was only really 130.
By contrast, the MP-36s feel as slow as dirt. And although the SC-44 can technically go 125mph, they almost never hit it because it takes them so long to accelerate to that speed. Also interesting is that the ACS-64s pulling regionals never seemed to have super fast acceleration, except ONCE when I was on a train with a double header of 2 of them. It was almost like a WMATA metro train! Insane! Fastest acceleration I've ever experienced in a loco hauled train, *including* the TGV. I suspect they have some software connection when they are doubled, and can really let it rip in that case. OTOH as a single loco, they might have some current limiter feature to prevent wear and tear, vs. the old HHP-8s that would just instantly apply 100% power from the cat. Who knows, just speculating.
PS Glad I don't have to ride MARC anymore and work 100% from home. 🤣
You are lucky to see the HHP-8 there is not a lot out there
amtrak is testing their hhp -8s on keystone service and some regional service! possible ethan allen line as npcu
Epic high speed MARC action my guy my favorite highlight are MARC HHP-8s 4910 & 4912.
Don't you just love the sounds a locomotive makes as it powers on through, Tis *caviare' for the senses*
According to MARC, one of the reasons they ordered Chargers for the NEC is because Amtrak was charging them too much for using their OCS, which is extortion, hence Amtrak didn't order ACS-65's like SEPTA did...
3:11 double header
Been waiting for this one! Awesome!
Thanks man, appreciate you
Ooo I am stoked for this one!
Me too!
00:24 Engine 26 is special. ✨ I rode that one in and out of Baltimore-Camden the weekend I went to New York City for the first time.
Love it absolutely love it I think you for the content maybe I’ll go Back out to Seabrook soon
Awesome video bro!
Thanks!
MARC: a good system?
Smart of them to get some Chargers.
marc mp36
I’m still wondering, does MARC still operate the HHP-8s?
Yes they do, although they're not very reliable lol - you can find them on PM rush hour trains.
@@R3VStudios Yeah, they were not reliable and that’s why Amtrak retired their HHP-8s
@@R3VStudios I thought they refurbished them. They still aren't?
I wish they could use the HHP-8’s more.
@@MegaChallanger Amtrak doesn’t own their HHP8s. They’re leased
I wanna catch some hhp-8s soon, what train would you say they are most likely to be on?
438, 536, 430 and if youre lucky, 428 and 532
@R3V Studios alright thanks
Aren’t these like permitted to 90 now
The HHP-8s sort of look like mechanical sharks... Then again: maybe, I've been watching too many JAWS clips.
Diesels under wire.... huh?
Wait HHP's are still in MARC service???
Yessir!
Why so many going past? Doesn’t MARC stop at like all the stops? Lol maybe they’re on their deadhead run back to the origin, it’s not a passenger run?
Nope. Loads of express trains.
Amtrak needs to get off their lazy asses and refurbish their HHP-8s as well!
Bowie state is the Best!
It is also the fastest station on the entire MARC Penn Line South of Baltimore
Why almost all diesels on an electrified line?
Not many electrics they got lol