Amtrak's New Phase IV Heritage Unit 164, Debut Run on the California Zephyr, Ottumwa, IA 5/9/23

This is a video of Amtrak's westbound California Zephyr, arriving and departing Ottumwa, Iowa on May 9th, 2023. Of interest in this evening's train is the lead locomotive, Amtrak P42 164, which has just recently been transformed into the railroad's newest "Heritage" locomotive, painted in the Phase IV paint scheme, introduced and applied to engines and rolling stock in the 1990's. While lasting a significant period on passenger cars, this scheme was fairly short-lived on the P40s and P42s, before the introduction of Phase V in 2002. Even so, it remains as one of the most pleasing liveries that fits these locomotives well. This particular version of Phase IV is known as the "Northeast Corridor" variant, with the nose and top of the sides and roof painted in a darker gray, compared to the normal "platinum mist" on most of the body. This wasn't the first locomotive painted in Phase IV in recent years; the first was P42 number 184, painted in Phase IV in 2011 in celebration of Amtrak's 40th anniversary. 184 has worn its heritage colors until only a couple months ago, when it was surprisingly released from the Beech Grove, IN maintenance facility in a fresh coat of standard Phase V. The reasoning behind it losing its heritage paint remained a mystery until the release of 164 in its new Phase IV paint scheme. Apparently, the supplies needed to re-paint 184 in Phase IV weren't available when 184 was due for its repaint. So it received Phase V, and then when supplies came in, 164 got the Phase IV treatment instead. What's neat about this rendition applied to 164, is that it's an almost exact duplication of the original Phase IV "Northeast Corridor" variant. Both of Amtrak's 40th and 50th anniversary commemorative paint schemes have usually included anniversary dates or special logos applied to the old liveries. 164 doesn't have any of these, and apart from the addition of American flags below the side cab windows, it looks like it came straight out of the 90's! As soon as the locomotive hit Chicago, Amtrak quickly sent 164 out on its first assignment in Phase IV paint, which just happened to be leading the westbound California Zephyr. I filmed the train as it approached the Ottumwa station at Market Street, and then departing right on time, on the other side of the platform near Gateway Drive. The paint on this engine looks spectacular! I'm looking forward to seeing it across the Amtrak system for many years to come. For more videos of Amtrak's heritage units, and many other scenes of Amtrak trains and a lot more, be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel! ‪@BobbyHarveyVideoProductions‬ Also, follow my Facebook page:   / bobbyharveyvideo   Copyright © 2023 Bobby Harvey. All Rights Reserved.