E60CP and E60CH
Amtrak ordered 26 E60's between 1974 and 1976. The E60's were split between 7 E60CP units (950-956) with steam generators for older passenger equipment, and 19 E60CH units (957-975) with newer head-end power (HEP) generators for the Amfleet and rebuilt Heritage Fleet equipment. These E60s had a cab and pantograph at each end.
Their initial weight was 193.5 tons, more than double the optimum for passenger service, which contributed to poor running during testing. The locomotives had a tendency to yaw sideways when accelerating, placing high stress on the rails. The Federal Railroad Administration only allowed the E60’s to operate at 90 mph, not the intended 120 mph, after they derailed twice during testing. (Amtrak limited them to 80 mph after 1978; after their rebuilding they reverted to 90.)
By 1984, with the arrival of AEM-7 electrics, most of the E60 fleet went into storage. Ten of the E60's (958-963, 967, 971-973) were sold to the New Jersey Transit corporation in 1984. Two additional units, 966 and 968 were sold to the Navajo Mine Railroad. In 1995, New Jersey Transit sold E60 961 to the Navajo Mine Railroad. All New Jersey Transit E60's were scrapped by 1998 except for 958, was saved for preservation. In 2003, the Navajo Mine Railroad scrapped all of its E60's.
Between 1986 and 1988, those E60's that remained with Amtrak were rebuilt, reclassified and renumbered. All E60CP's had their steam generators removed and four of these had HEP fitted. Those with HEP, both the E60CH's and the converted E60CP's, were rebuilt and renumbered as E60MA in the 600 series, where MA stood for Motor Alternator set. The road numbers of the E60MA's were between 600 and 610. The two remaining E60CP's without HEP were renumbered as 620 and 621. The E60MA's weighed 183 short tons (163 long tons; 166 t), 10.5 short tons (9.4 long tons; 9.5 t) less than their original weight.
When the E60's returned to service, they were used mainly on heavy, long-distance trains, such as the Crescent, Silver Meteor, and Broadway Limited, in addition to Clockers and special movements including circus and mail trains, or maintenance of way runs.
All Amtrak E60 units were retired in 2003. In April 2004, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania acquired Amtrak E60 603 for preservation. NJ Transit 958 was also preserved and was donated to the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey. All other units were scrapped.
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