THE LAST OF THE SINGLE DIGIT LOCOMOTIVES AT AMTRAK
This page tallys the status of P42 locomotives 1-9 at Amtrak. Click on text to go to photos. Click on photo serial number to go to the page for that unit. Originally classified as AMD-103 (Amtrak monocoque diesel, 103 mph), they eventually became known as P42DC's. The Top speed was eventally increased to 110 mph. General Electric built 321 total Genesis series engines, most of them going to Amtrak during the time frame 1996-2001. The P42 series started at road number 1 and went through 207. Overall there are about 140 still in operation in April 2024. There have been four generations of basic paint schemes applied so far, although not all units received all of the variants.
In June 2024, #4,#5, and #7 are still running (in 3rd generation livery). These three are definitely in the "catch 'em while you can" category. As far as we know, no 1996-built Amtrak Genesis locomotive (road numbers 1-45 and 47) has been overhauled or had paint refreshed in the past three years. This tells us that when they run-out on their current cycles, they may be sold, leased out, or used for parts, as happened to the F40's at Amtrak some 20 years ago. Usually an overhaul signifies a repaint, and visa-versa, but not always.
Between 1990 and 2002, Amtrak replaced is diesel locomotive fleet with 251 new Genesis series locomotives from GE ( an additional handful of dual-modes were also purchased). Several orders were placed over this time frame, with the 1996-1997 batch receiving road numbers starting with #1. The previous go-to long distance diesel was the EMD F40, originally painted in platinum mist with bicentennial striping. The GE Genesis project more or less carried over the stripes, but higher on the body, no longer linking up with the window bands of the following passenger cars. This was the 1G scheme for P42s.
Engines 1-9 have worn three generations of basic Genesis series paint styles. They were delivered in 1G (1993-1997) stripes, repainted into 1997 2G colors as a group, and then variously converted into 2000 low skirt 3G millenium paint as they went in for work. None of the 1-9 group ever wore the high skirt 2000 variant. It remains to be seen if any will receive the new 4th generation scheme in 2024 or later.
Three of the 1-9 single digit road numbers are still active today, with the others at the Beech Grove, Indiana boneyard (and one scrapped). Engine #3 is not known to have been oficially retired, but had not been seen since February 16, 2023 in Chicago. It did move to Beech Grove on May 20, 2023. At last report in March 2023, damaged #1 and #9 were stored, most showing some damage. Locomotive #6, was there for a while, but reportedly was in use as a classroom at Bear, Delaware where Amtrak University is located. Wrecked #8 has probably been picked for any usable parts and scrapped by now. In May, 2023, #2 encountered a semi-truck trailer at a private crossing in Florida. Typical front-end damage was noted, and it was set-off the Silver Meteor, and moved to Amtrak's Sanford Autotrain shop. Evidently it sat there until July 12, 2023, when it began moving in freight service to Beech Grove.
RECAP OF OUT-OF-SERVICE UNITS IN THE 1-9 GROUP
#1 - Serial Number 49320 (August 1996) - March 14, 2017 vs truck at Longmeadow, Massachusetts while in maintenance of way duties
#2 - Serial Number 49321 (August 1996) - May 18, 2023 vs semi-truck/trailer Volusia County, Florida on northbound train 98 - BEE May 19, 2024
#3 - Serial Number 49322 (August 1996) - Operated on Palmetto in February 2023. Verified stored Beech Grove May 19, 2024.
#6 - Serial Number 49325 (August 1996) - Believed retired to use as an instructional classroom at Bear, Delaware in 2023.
#8 - Serial Number 49327 (September 1996) - November 30, 2007 on Pere Marquette at Chicago vs. NS train #23M.
#9 - Serial Number 49328 (September 1996) - May 29, 2020 vs John Deere farm equipment on Train 7 Roosevelt County, Montana. Verified stored at Beech Grove, Indiana with significant front end damage still evident, May 19, 2024,
THREE REMAINING UNITS IN 1-9 GROUP AS OF JUNE 2024
Here are the remaining three operating units in the 1-9 single digit group (#4,#5, and #7). Not all operations are noted, and there could of course be errors. Engine #7 is the freshest of the group, having sat out for several years and rebuilt following a garbage truck encounter in Mississippi. The only one in the group to have had major maintenance in the last five years was #6 (October 4, 2021). Click on the text to go to photos, then click on serial numbers for more information on each unit.
Should you wish to use our photos or info for anything other than personal use, please attribute them to 4rr.com. Historic data may be on the individual unit pages. Out of service and retired units have been moved to individual unit archives as well. The date(s) given are for the train assignment, except that on the east coast, it is usually only the date that a diesel was in the consist north or south of the electrified NEC. For a Google map of where these 1996-built units have been recently, hit the link at the bottom of the page. Using the GPS mapping plots on the transitdocs website will enable you to determine where a particular engine was by date and time in the past.
The "youngest" and "freshest" of the three is #7. While it had major wreck damage, it sat out for several years, and did not get as much mileage wear as did #4 and #5. Absent another wreck, #7 is likely to remain the last active single digit unit.
As of June, 2024 #4, #5, and #7 were still operating. Their latest train assignments have been moved to page 1996.
For older train assignments refer to individual engine pages and click the serial number. They are linked to the photos of each locomotive. If you seek information not posted here, please inquire. We might have it.
June 16, 2024 Update from 4rr.com - our email is "feedback "at" 4rr.com Please feel free to send updates, comments, corrections, broke links, etc.
