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Amtrak ACS-64 with Northeast Regional, B&P Tunnel

Amtrak ACS-64 with Northeast Regional, B&P Tunnel

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Steve Ember


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Amtrak ACS-64 with Northeast Regional, B&P Tunnel

Amtrak ACS-64 No.600 'David L. Gunn' leads a New York bound Northeast
Regional train out of the B&P Tunnel, on approach to Baltimore's Penn Station.

No. 600 was the first of the series of Siemens American Cities Sprinter class of high speed
electric locomotives that would eventually replace the AEM-7's as primary power on the
Northeast Corridor. She bears the name of Amtrak's president from 2002 to 2005.

The black and white photo is an homage to treasured memories of childhood visits
to the tracks along Falls Road with my Dad with a Brownie Hawkeye. (*)

©2019 Steve Ember

(*) The rest of the story...
https://medium.com/@emberphoto/of-tunnels-trains-and-trips-to-the-tracks-798398d4f3fa

Commenti 7

  • Anita Jarzombek-Krauledies 11/07/2019 17:11

    Klasse Motiv und großartige Perspektive!
    Viele Grüße Anita
  • Thomas Reitzel 11/07/2019 12:28

    Perfect shot Steve, and I hardly can imagine which power would´ve shown up out of the tunnel in childhood - still steam, but very sure the classic F-Dieselpower or even Pennsys electrics!
    BG, Tom
    • Steve Ember 11/07/2019 20:34

      Thanks, Tom! Your comment made me wish I'd spent more time there as a child! Yes, there would have been quite the variety of equipment poking its head out of that tunnel in Pennsy's prime.

      Steam was long-gone by my youth, as the PRR had electrified the line in the '30s; so the most common sight would have been the magnificent GG1's pulling long Tuscan Red (or Budd streamlined fluted stainless steel consists such as The Congressionals or The Senator) passenger trains. There would also have been the stolid MP54 MU local trains growling their way through there.

      Ah, but there would have still been some steam "varnish" to see had I been there at the right time(s)! - The Western Maryland Railway did run some trains between Baltimore (originating downtown at Hillen St Station) that stopped at Penn Station to take on passengers. They, too, would use this tunnel, but would diverge from the PRR to the west and head up through northwest Baltimore on their way to western Maryland. But I did often get the chance to see those from my parents' business near their origination point.
      https://medium.com/@emberphoto/a-scabby-alco-and-a-great-dad-93dadc2ed9ae

      As to F - and E! - diesel power...There was a great location for seeing lots of that action just above and a bit west of this tunnel, as the North Avenue Bridge - also a favorite spot for my Dad and me - overlooked not only these PRR tracks but also the B&O coming out of Mount Royal Station, the other Midtown Baltimore train-magnet. From there, one could see - and certainly hear! - growling packs of F-7s pulling long freights up the grade, as well as lovely B&O passenger trains behind long sleek EA or E-8 sets on their way to New York.

      Thanks for stoking up my "time machine!"

      BG, Steve
    • Thomas Reitzel 11/07/2019 21:46

      Thanks Steve for the upgrade! What a hotspot these stations must have been - pity! As all of us, or nearly all, we were too young to take good pictures with a good camera, but we luckily could witness the action in these long gone times and keep them in our memories that no one can take away!
  • Susanne Kerstan 10/07/2019 0:33

    A wonderful description and a document of history !!

    Thank you Steve !!

    with my best wishes Susanne