HHP-8

Bombardier–Alstom HHP-8

MARC No. 4915 at Odenton in 2014

Type and origin Power type Electric Builder Bombardier Transportation, Alstom Total produced Amtrak: 15 MARC: 6

Specifications AAR wheel arr. B-B Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge Wheel diameter new 40 in (1,016 mm) Minimum curve 76 m (249.34 ft), 23.1355° Wheelbase bogie center distance: 35 ft 3 in (10.74 m) bogie wheelbase: 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m) Length 67 ft 1 in (20.45 m) over couplers Width 10 ft 5 in (3.18 m) (mirrors retracted) Height roof height pantograph down: 14 ft 5 1⁄2 in (4.407 m) pantograph reach 25 ft 2 in (7.67 m) Axle load 55,750 lb (25.29 t) Adhesive weight 100% Loco weight 222,000 lb (101 t) Sandbox cap 7.52 cubic feet (213 L) Power supply Catenary Electric system(s) 12.5 kV 25 Hz AC 12.5 kV 60 Hz AC 25 kV 60 Hz AC Current collection Dual pantographs Traction motors 4 fully suspended 1.5 MW (2,000 hp) Alstom 3-Phase Asynchronous AC Traction Motors (Model 4-FXA-4559C) Head end power 480 V AC, 60 Hz, 3-phase, 1,000 kW (1,300 hp), 1,200 kVA Transmission AC-DC-AC MU working Yes, up to 2 Train heating Loco supplied HEP via inverter off of DC link Loco brake Electrical : regenerative and rheostatic brakes Electropneumatic : two disc brakes per axle, Train brakes Electropneumatic Safety systems ACSES II

Performance figures Maximum speed design: 217 km/h (135 mph) operating: 201 km/h (125 mph) Power output 6,000 kW (8,000 hp) continuous Tractive effort max. 71,240 lbf (316.9 kN) continuous 56,200 lbf (250.0 kN) Factor of adh. ~ 3.116 Loco brakeforce Dynamic braking 34,000 lbf (151.2 kN)

Career Operators Amtrak and MARC Numbers Amtrak: 650-664 (renumbered to 680-694 after leaving service to make room for ACS-64s) MARC: 4910-4915 Official name HSEL (High Speed Electric Locomotive) Nicknames Hippos, Rhinos, Bananas First run Amtrak: 1999-2001 Last run Amtrak: 2014 Retired Amtrak: November 7, 2014

Sources: except where noted

Amtrak: 650-664 (renumbered to 680-694 after leaving service to make room for ACS-64s)

The Bombardier–Alstom HHP-8 (High Horse Power 8000) is a type of twin-cab electric locomotive manufactured by a consortium of Bombardier Transportation and Alstom for use by Amtrak and the Maryland Area Regional Commuter system. The locomotive's electrical drive technology is directly derived from the SNCF BB 36000 manufactured by Alstom.

A small class size and reliability problems with correspondingly high per capita maintenance and replacement costs caused Amtrak to seek service replacements for its fifteen units at the same time as the older EMD AEM7s after only a decade in service. MARC has plans to retire them as well.

The locomotives have a 6 MJ crash energy absorbance structure; the carbody is stainless steel. The electrical traction system is directly derived from the system used on Alstom's BB 36000 Astride locomotives; this includes four 1.5MW three phase asynchronous traction motors powered by GTO based inverters, with one inverter per motor; the electric system also allows regenerative and rheostatic braking. The locomotives were designed for up to 217 km/h (135 mph) operation but are actually limited in service to FRA Tier 1 standards, operating up to 201 km/h (125 mph).

Amtrak ordered 15 HHP-8s in 1996, at the same time as the order for the Acela Express trainsets; the locomotives have similar external styling as the Acela trainsets, but are designed to operate as true locomotives, hauling conventional passenger rolling stock. The units supplemented the EMD AEM-7s and allowed the retirement of the GE E60.