Amtrak HHP-8C simulated Test Run on the Northeast Corridor (2-10-24)

On February 10th, 2024. I decided to go out to the Northeast Corridor since Amtrak's HHP-C would be doing simulation stops from Philadelphia to New York, stopping at Trenton, Metropark, Newark Airport, and Newark Penn. This includes both round trips and other Amtrak trains.
Locations filmed:
Metropark
Newark Penn
Elizabeth

[@davidng2336]

Seems like they’re doing good with 9750. If this succeeds, there are few more planned, if not the entire fleet.

[@TrainSounds]

Sounds like the HHP8 has AC motors installed despite it not collecting power.

[@davidng2336]

@@TrainSoundsI’ve been noticing the same thing.

[@MattyC62185]

@@TrainSoundsACS64 has ac traction motors

[@CTSLRailfan]

@@TrainSoundsthat sound is most likely just the battery to supply the lighting and other equipment for the cab car.

[@cwshawk]

Those retractable mirrors on the HHP-8 and Acela will always be neat to me.

[@mikestrainsthings]

Cool shot of the train

[@turnerdeedo4633]

3:15 Is that a mirror that automatically pops out of the side of the train? I never knew this locomotive had that feature!

[@retro_wizard]

I caught that too! Pretty neat. I think the X2000 had that aswell.

[@centralnjrailfanner]

That mirror I bellieve actually retracts manually, it's common to see it on the Acela's

[@CTSLRailfan]

@@centralnjrailfannerengineer has to manually release it. it shuts automatically above 3mph.

[@PhillyBagel]

I saw this set Trenton on February 10 making a simulated stop. And I do mean simulated. They were only stopped for two seconds, not concerned about allowing for station dwell time. Otherwise I would’ve had time to walk up front for a picture.

[@YTnightspotter]

Dude nice catch of the hhp8 ima come to new jersey and this is the first thing im catching when i come to America

[@jurajivanic4220]

In 3:23 locomotive ala Hercules in Europa.

[@bdapyro8399]

HHP-8 and acela have the same horn?

[@amtrak_121]

Yes, they were based heavily on the Acela

[@centralnjrailfanner]

Yes, as there were both constructed with the same order by the same companies. They have the same horns

[@bdapyro8399]

@centralnjrailfanner ok that's cool. Thank you

[@eswnl1]

"End of platform" - thanks for that warning.

[@user-gk8gg1zt7l]

Nice video!!!

[@josephriddle3421]

I was waiting for 2250 at NWK while you were filming. If you zoom in you can see me. I charge 500 bucks for any appearances. Check will be in the mail right?

[@hirampriggott1689]

Will this be a Keystone service?

[@PhillyBagel]

Yes. They have to retire the Metroliner cab cars and this is what they’ll be using on the push end instead.

[@amtrak_121]

@@PhillyBagel well when are they gonna add some kind of food service on the Keystone?

[@gabeomalley4045]

what’s the point of making a loco a cab car?

[@centralnjrailfanner]

Because it saves costs, it's better then having it scrapped.

[@christianlovell570]

Will the hhp-8 be on Northeast Regional trains 121/122 on Sundays since they use a cab car?

[@MattyC62185]

NER does not use cab cars

[@YaboyMX595]

@@MattyC62185The Sunday regional does aka 121/122. Sorry if I gotta correct you on this but he is right. If 121/122 uses the Metroliner cab car and Amtrak needs to replace those how would 121/122 work without the cab cars on Sundays?

[@MattyC62185]

@@YaboyMX595 I have been on the NER multiple times and have never been on it one with a cab car. It usually changes engines at DC to head into Virginia and Southampton yard in Boston has a loop to turn trains around.

[@NortheastTrainMan]

Possibly. I think they're going to be on Keystones and possibly the Vermonter to start. It's not out of the question. So, let's sit back and watch (grabs popcorn 🍿)

[@NortheastTrainMan]

​@@MattyC62185, @ChristianLovell5750 + @YaboyMX595 are correct. Amtrak Northeast Regional 121 is a Sunday only train that operates between NYP & WAS. It leads with a Metroliner Cab Car because it makes a quick turn to 122 to head back to NYP.
I caught it on video at Princeton Jct here: th-cam.com/video/ExeWeBX6FSQ/w-d-xo.html
There are quite a few videos of this train on TH-cam, just type it in the search bar. The other info you spoke on, although true for other trains, doesn't pertain to 121 & 122.

[@user-ym9wb6su9z]

2/10/2024 Was today I went to washington d c i road the aecla express And back home I road the Vermonter back to baltimore with acs-64 638

[@matt92h]

Why are both pantographs on the HHP-C down?

[@atomsmash100]

It's being tested for use as a cab car, so it's there for control only and no longer delivers power. Amtrak's old Metroliner cab cars are nearing the end of their life, and the HHP8-C, if the test is successful, will be a replacement.

[@matt92h]

@@atomsmash100 Thanks for the great info. 😁

[@NortheastTrainMan]

The HHP-8C doesn't have pantographs to raise in the first place. When Amtrak converted the HHP-8 to the HHP-8C / HHP-C or whatever they're gonna call it, they removed the pantographs. There's no need for them if it's going to be a cab car or NPCU (Non Powered Control Unit).

[@NortheastTrainMan]

@@atomsmash100 that's true. but it also doesn't have any pantographs to begin with.

[@tysouthernrailfanner3668]

What’s the phase 3 Coach behind the HHP8?

[@condog6087]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that's a cafe car.

[@RailClipper]

Seems like the 9750 is only ways away from entering revenue service

[@jthe_railfaner2643]

Sounds like they added dave the AI back?

[@andrewbutler6477]

Why do these trains have a bell ringing must be annoying !!!!

[@josephnadler5521]

Federal regulations and safety reasons

[@Nerdy_dude]

Are you European….. cause if you were American you would enjoy the sound 😂

[@jamie514]

Wait are the Metroliner cab cars so end of life that they cannot last until the first Aero sets are delivered? You'd think they would be the first priority for replacement being an actual push pull service already. This seems like a classic example of the type of senseless waste of budgetary funding that critics love to see.