SUPER RARE!! Dash 8 #503 leads Amtrak #6 in Ottumwa, IA 11/18/10

In November 2010, I went up to Ottumwa to watch trains like I normally do. Waiting for Amtrak, I hear the dispatcher give Amtrak a warrant across the IC&E junction west of the station. That's when I hear the dispatcher address "Amtrak A-M-T-K 503 five zero three..." A DASH 8!! I couldn't believe it! Thank goodness I had my video camera along this time (I'd been taking still photos a lot at the time)! Sure enough, the train pulled in with Dash 8-32BWH #503 in the lead, followed by P42's #125 and #25. Apparently, after I briefly talked to the engineer who got off at Ottumwa, #503 was placed on the train after having problems with one of the Genesis units. I'm guessing it was put on the train in California as I seem to recall 503 is based there (?). Nevertheless, it was a sight to behold! It's extremely rare to see these engines on the Zephyr, not to mention leading. In fact, this was the first time I've seen a different engine besides Genesis leading an Amtrak train in at least 13 years. Since I mainly watch trains around the midwest, Genesis has pretty much been all I've seen since they replaced the F40's in the late 1990's, so this was a nice change! This was my first video to top 100,000 views. Thanks everybody! Copyright © 2010 Bobby Harvey. All Rights Reserved.