Original upload date: Sun, 11 Oct 2015 00:00:00 GMT
Archive date: Wed, 01 Dec 2021 02:05:42 GMT
"Metro North M8s Test on Amtrak's Shore Line"
On the night of October 9th (and morning of October 10th), Metro North conducted a small test on Amtrak's Shore Line to determine if the Kawasaki M8 EMUs
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could seamlessly operate under Amtrak's catenary. On the New Haven Line, M8s regularly run on 12.5 kV at 60 Hz (AC) overhead catenary between Pelham & New Haven State Street stations. Once east of New Haven State street, the power source changes in voltage to 25 kV at 60 Hz. The M8s were ordered with the ability to travel under both voltages for use in Shore Line East service but to that day were never tested under Amtrak's 25 kV at 60 Hz catenary.
The test train consisted of a single M8 pair, 9104/9105 and an Amtrak "protect" engine, GP38H-3 #522. The pair was loaned to Amtrak and operated by a qualified Amtrak crew.
522 shoved the M8 pair to the west end of Mill River Interlocking Track 6, uncoupled and was tied down on standby. A couple of power recycles (raising & lowering the pantograph) and brake tests were performed. Once successfully completed, the train was allowed to proceed to the west end of Shoreline Jct Interlocking under Form D movement. Power recycles and brake tests were performed there, then the train proceeded back to the west end of Mill River. Power cycles & brake tests were performed once more, then the panto was dropped so that the pair could be towed back to New Haven. 522 hitched back on and the pair was towed to Track 38 in New Haven Yard where the crews disembarked. Based on what was observed, the test went without a hitch.
*With such short notice and the limited amount of spots and lighting to catch this this thing I mainly focused on videoing the move. I also accidentally switched the Vibration Reduction on the camera off which resulted in the last clip being a little shaky.
*If you have any questions, please feel free to comment and ask AFTER you read the description.
