Does the car have HEP connectors or HEP trainline wiring?
This is the wiring that carries the power from one end of the car to the other down the length of the train. Amtrak now requires that the connectors be the non-rebuildable type. Even if you are not using the cars in Amtrak service, we strongly recommend using the single molded piece connectors. We distribute Clements HEP connectors, as well as communication and MU connectors. We have a list of the wire, connectors, and HEP parts required to put Amtrak-style HEP lines on a passenger car. Multiple-Unit wiring is only required on certain Amtrak routes. If MU wiring is needed, there is a slightly different list of parts. If the operation is separate from Amtrak, or operates in occasional Amtrak service with special arrangements, it may be possible to avoid the expense of conversion to a full Amtrak HEP system. We have a page that describes the various HEP schemes that are used by some of our customers. All parts required to install HEP on the car are available from Northwest Rail Electric.
