Excursion trip to mark retirement of familiar Amtrak engine

Amtrak is planning a farewell excursion trip to mark the retirement of its familiar AEM-7 electric locomotives after 37 years of service on the Northeast Corridor.

The dual-cab boxy locomotives, dubbed by some as the "Toasters," have traveled more than 220 million miles since going into operation in the late 1970s.

They are being replaced by sleeker ACS-64 locomotives, which began service in 2014.
AEM-7s also are being phased out on SEPTA.

To mark the retirement of the AEM-7, Amtrak is planning a farewell excursion on June 18 — a Saturday.

The excursion train will depart from Washington Union Station en route to Philadelphia, where the train will reverse direction and head for a visit and tour of Amtrak's Wilmington Shops in Delaware, the maintenance home of the AEM-7. The train will then return to Washington.

Tickets are available now and can be purchased online or by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL. Tickets are $155 for adults. Children aged 2-12 ride for half price with each adult ticket.