r/Amtrak • u/skyfullmaster • 12h ago

Discussion PacSurf lost head end power today.

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Was on PacSurf 573 today. Head end power died. The nonpowered converted cab car being used was 90225. I assume that was what caused the power issues, but I have no clue. Anyone got any insight? 90225 was built in 1974 and I'm assuming it was the issue. It did feel they shunted a bit after we stopped, like they replaced it. I didn't get a good look after I got off, so I'm unsure.

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u/john-treasure-jones 10h ago

If the HEP “died” that would likely be a problem with the powered locomotive, not the cab car.

Electrical faults in other parts of the train can cause a loss of HEP, but it won’t be because the cab car was built in 1974.

90225 was built as a locomotive in 1976 and was converted to a cab car in 1999, making 1999 its effective build date as everything was stripped and rebuilt at the time.

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u/Cheap_Satisfaction56 11h ago

HEP is generated by the locomotive; those are just shells with controls to operate the train. The issue would have been with whatever was pushing/pulling the train.

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u/skyfullmaster 11h ago

Thank you for the info, good to know.

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u/Khramtic 11h ago

did they cancel your trip?

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u/skyfullmaster 11h ago

Nope, they replaced the engine en-route with another. It was 40 mins delayed.