A Long Way From Maryland: One of two MARC sets on loan to Amtrak passes through the Edison, New Jersey train station on the the busy Sunday-after-Thanksgiving travel day.

The Amtrak HHP-8 locomotives were introduced around 2000 and were retired by 2014. Here, one of the now gone fleet leads a westbound "Regional" train.

Looking more like a Hollywood creation out of a sci-fi flick than a locomotive, the HHP is a really surprising sight with its skin removed. Note the bell hanging from the frame on the right side.... (more)

HHP-8 663 sits in South Station late at night with a Northeast Regional consist awaiting assignment for the morning commute.

A hippo soaks up the little bit of winter sun offered between the sheets of clouds outside Washington Union Station.

A sidelined HHP on display during the open house portion of the AEM-7 farewell.

Amtrak Thanksgiving extra train 1063 heads southbound for Washington with borrowed MARC equipment.

One of the last Hippos in operation in the world, HHP8 4915 moves away from Seabrook with a fairly loaded train bound for Washington DC.

The Wilmington Shops hosted a rare tour for those on the AEM-7 farewell excursion, and there were plenty of Amtrak oddballs and favorites on display for the fans. All the HHP-8s were renumbered t... (more)

In the shop for some work.

A hippo heads out of the lower level of Washington Union Station.

The hippo and the toaster.

A "Hippo" on the loose!

An Amtrak long distance train, led by a then in service HHP-8, departs Philadelphia, southbound for Washington DC and points south. These locomotive's original ty... (more)

Amtrak HHP-8 #656 leading a Northeast Regional train from Boston to Washington, DC at New Rochelle, NY on 11/19/2005.

The Ivy City facility in Washington DC is owned by Amtrak, but is also used by the Maryland Area Regional Commuter system, better known as MARC. Amtrak retired their last Bombardier-Alstom HHP-8, ... (more)