Amtrak's 19, the southbound Crescent, is powered by one of the remaining HHP-8 locomotives. Of the 20 built for Amtrak, 15 are currently in service. Soon, they will all be retired in favor of the new ACS-64 Sprinter locomotives. Maryland's MARC rosters several HHP-8s for commuter rail service. They will likely be only such surviving units of this locomotive model
Amtrak took over the New York - New Orleans market when the Southern Railway discontinued its famed Southern Crescent. Following the same route, it takes two days and a night to connect the Big Apple with the Big Easy. The crossing of Lake Ponchartrain is