866 arrives from the UP

GP40 866 was recently acquired from the Union Pacific, and was placed into service immediately. There was no time for a trip to the paint shop, so the UP name was painted over and CAPE ANN quickly applied. It retains the original 866 road number, as that number was not in use on the Cape Ann anyway.

Amtrak Downeaster at Kenton

The Amtrak Downeaster operates between Brunswick, ME and Boston MA, in push-pull configuration. There is a conventional locomotive on one end. There is a “cabbage” (control/baggage) car on the other end, which is a FP40 body with the prime mover removed, and replaced with a rollup door to serve as a baggage car. 

The model Amtrak Downeaster is seen here on the Cape Ann. Like the prototype, it operates in push-pull.  FP40 229 is the powered loco, and dummy FP40 381 on the other end has been converted to a cabbage car by adding the rollup door on one side. Wires run between 229 and all other cars to light the passenger cars, and the lighting on 381. Each loco is also equipped with a red marker between the number boards, lit when the unit is trailing. 

FP45's on The Acadian

Rail fans line the footbridge at Kimball’s Campground to catch a view of Cape Ann FP45’s 400 and 404 coming around the curve at Cascade with The Acadian in tow. The footbridge allows campers access to the river and beach without having to cross the tracks in the foreground.