Bombardier/Alstom HHP-8

The HHP-8 (High Horse Power 8,000) is an 8,000 horsepower (5,970 kW) 4-axle AC electric locomotive acquired by Amtrak and MARC (Maryland Area Rail Commuter) in the early 2000s for uses on the Northeast Corridor.  It is designed and manufactured by a consortium formed by Bombardier (Canada) and Alstom (France).  Trains hauled by the HHP-8 were initially branded as the Acela Regional, due to riders’ confusion between the three Acela branded trains offered at the time, the Acela logos were removed from the HHP-8 and the services were renamed the Northeast Regional.

Northeast Regional with HHP-8 and Amfleet I


Typical equipment on the Northeast Regional trains today consist of either the HHP-8 or AEM-7 locomotive and Amfleet I stainless steel passenger coaches.  They operate at a top speed of 125 mph (201 km/h).  Today the HHP-8 also hauls long distance services on the Northeast Corridor up to a top speed of 110 mph (177 km/h).  The only Acela branded trains offered by Amtrak today are the 150 mph (240 km/h) Business Class and First Class only Acela Express.  Amtrak operates a total of 15 HHP-8s and MARC owns 6.

MARC commuter train with HHP-8

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