The photos and information is indexed by road number. We have just re-posted links to the dualmodes, #700-717. The 1991-vintage P32's are still here on the site too, although they are mostly used in switcher service now, and don't make many intercity moves (except on the Starlight, which was getting regular moves in summer 2008).
The P42's, road numbers 1-207, were built at the GE plant in Erie during the time frames 1996-97 and 2000-01.
Horsepower was incresed slightly and other changes made with the P42, which was introduced in 1996 (Amtrak road numbers 1-120). It had been a very long time since any major batch of new passenger locomotives had been ordered, particularly with the road numbers beginning at 1. Amtrak subsequently bought road numbers 121-122, delivered in a 1998 color scheme, to replace two P40s destroyed earlier at Bourbonais, Illinois. But even before these engines were delivered in late 2000, marketing had changed the color scheme again, and with the third order of P42's, road numbered 123-207, yet a third livery was employed. Likewise, the P32's, road numbers 500-517 have worn two or three paint schemes, and even though they were not really designed as passenger locomotives from the ground up as the "Genesis" design was, they are still included here.
The intent in posting these photos was to keep the site simple enough for even a dial-up modem to access. The original project of documenting each locomotive was completed in 2004. It had been an interesting project chasing down all of the missing locomotives, particularly because during 2005 Amtrak finished changing over all of the paint schemes to the 2000-era "low skirt bluenose." All of the P42s still exist, except for #143 and #149 which were wrecked in Utah, and subsequently scrapped. At any given time, another group (including #7 and #8) are out of service due to wrecks, fires, and maintenance.
We "collected" roster photos of these beasts for years, and finally finished getting all of them in 2004. The site has been started over since 2005, so most photos are now from the 2006-2008 period.
About half of the 200 runners still working on Amtrak have received a mid life overhaul in the past three years. Most of those overhauled since 2005 have received the fibreglass "bolty" nose cone, a reverse format numberboard, and replacement and/or new data stickers. Unfortunately, the traction motors received during this time were defective, and are still being replaced again in 2008-09. A few new front ends were supplied in the second half of 2007 and in 2008 with "snow scoop" headlight surrounds, no longer is there a door covering the bulbs. Also in 2008 about 300 remaining defective traction motors are being fixed, to correct problems created by some faulty components supplied by GE in 2005 and 2006. These have created all sorts of troubles, causing cancellations, delays, and need for freight engines to stand in for the lead units on some western trains.
Time passes and the future of the P42's becomes more uncertain. But we hope you continue to enjoy the site!
This website is not affiliated with Amtrak. All photographs showing Amtrak logo or insignia are credited both to the company and to 4rr.com, and may not be used or sold for commercial purposes.