Amtrak Siemens Charger locomotive (SC44, ALC42, ALC42E) (2015 - 1Q 2024)

randomguy65 · Jul 26, 2015

It looks like Siemens has released what the Charger will look like in a model. They did the same thing with the ACS-64.

See here: http://www.mainlinediesels.net/imgs/SiemensCharger_Profile_BottomLeft.jpg

They also did the same thing with the ACS-64: http://www.railcolor.net/imgs/content/model_siemens_acs2.jpg

Side note: EMD has also revealed the final look of the new F125. See here: http://www.progressrail.com/cda/files/4546792/7/2-sidersENG_LTR_proof_rev5RevH_Screen.pdf

Caesar La Rock · Jul 27, 2015

Those Chargers look handsome. Hopefully the Cummins powerplant will be reliable.

ayezee · Jul 27, 2015

Personally I think the F125 looks way better but if they both run well for years that's all that matters.

Andrew · Jul 27, 2015

ayezee said:
Personally I think the F125 looks way better but if they both run well for years that's all that matters.

I wonder which locomotive (the F125 or Charger) will the MTA choose to replace their locomotives for their Metro North and Long Island Rail Road Services...

PVD · Jul 27, 2015

Will either or both be interested in building some of them as dual modes? Both the LIRR and the MNRR use them. I am aware that 2 different 3rd rail systems are in place, and most of us aren't big DM fans, but the reality is a batch of them will end up being bought anyway. If you add on the Amtrak Empire fleet, the quantities get up there.

SubwayNut · Jul 27, 2015

Do any of these fit into the New York City tunnels.

The F40s and F59PHIs certainly don't.

Andrew · Jul 27, 2015

SubwayNut said:
Do any of these fit into the New York City tunnels.

The F40s and F59PHIs certainly don't.

The Charger definitely does and I believe the F125 does, with a 14 foot seven inch height.

However, the F125 would not be allowed to go through the new East Side Access tunnels due to the 13 foot, six inch height clearance requirement in the 63rd street tunnel segment.

When is Amtrak likely to replace their DM locomotives?

PerRock · Jul 27, 2015

It's my understanding that the Chargers are shorter in height then even the P42s.

peter

PVD · Jul 27, 2015

I'm pretty sure the Amtrak ones are 1998-2001 deliveries, I'm sure someone will correct that as necessary. The first ones would be getting close using 20 years for a passenger diesel, but with major rebuilds they can go on a lot longer. I think MNRR has been overhauling theirs.

PVD · Jul 27, 2015

If the 63rd street tube is 13-6 the locomotive won't matter because the c-3 cars they pull are 14+, which means only the m7 and m9 (eventually) will be heading there.

Alexandria Nick · Jul 27, 2015

Those are some goofy trucks on the F125. Are they completely new? I'm not familiar with those turning up anywhere else.

afigg · Jul 28, 2015

Andrew said:
The Charger definitely does and I believe the F125 does, with a 14 foot seven inch height.

....

When is Amtrak likely to replace their DM locomotives?

It would probably be the state of NY that would buy the P-32 replacements, not Amtrak. On the Amtrak system, only the NYP-ALB corridor needs diesels with a 3rd rail shoe. If NY owns the locomotives, they won't have to pay an annual capital charge to Amtrak.

The PRIIA vehicle specifications webpage has a draft spec for a Dual Mode (DC 3rd rail) locomotive. When the times come for NY to buy P-32 replacements, I would expect both Siemens and EMD will submit bids with modified versions of their passenger locomotives. There is even a discussion document on that page about tje maximum speed requirement for a dual mode locomotive for the Empire Corridor, Which concludes that the maximum operating speed for the dual mode with a 3rd rail shoe on the Empire corridor is 110 mph, so the spec can back off the 125 mph requirement. So the state of NY, Amtrak, the FRA, and the PRIIA committee have been busy writing a detailed spec for a P-32 replacement.

BTW, we have a long thread here on the RFP and placement of the order for 35 Siemens Charger diesel locomotives. It has not posted to for months, because there has been little to no news about the Siemens Charger diesels recently. Siemens is presumably busy assembling the first test and pre-production units. BTW, a discussion about replacing the P-32s should have its own thread, because those might not be built by Siemens if EMD or even Bombardier lands the order.

jis · Jul 28, 2015

When we say P32 here we mostly mean P32ACDMs and not the P32-8WH s which a pure diesel-electrics and not dual mode, which Amtrak has several of (5xx series).

The replacement for P32-8WHs would simply be the Chargers or F125s depending on what Amtrak chooses to get.

P32ACDM is an open issue.

For Amtrak one could argue that it should consider getting a larger number of catenary dual modes enabling use south of Washington DC at least in Virignia service. But Amtrak so far has been quite reluctant to even consider such.

MNRR and LIRR of course do not need anything other than third rail dual mode and they could actually get them with the new transition third rail shoes which can work on both third rail types in the NY area.

Dutchrailnut · Jul 28, 2015

Andrew said:
ayezee said:

Personally I think the F125 looks way better but if they both run well for years that's all that matters.

Click to expand...

I wonder which locomotive (the F125 or Charger) will the MTA choose to replace their locomotives for their Metro North and Long Island Rail Road Services...

well the EMD F125 exceeds max height by one inch , the max allowable height for both GCT and NYP is 14' 6 ".

George K · Jul 28, 2015

PerRock said:
It's my understanding that the Chargers are shorter in height then even the P42s.

peter

http://w3.usa.siemens.com/mobility/us/en/interurban-mobility/rail-solutions/high-speed-and-intercity-trains/Documents/Charger%20DE_Locomotive_DataSheet_LR.pdf

12.5 feet high.

The P42 is 14 feet 4 inches according to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GE_Genesis

The F125 is 14 feet 7 inches: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMD_F125

neroden · Jul 29, 2015

Catenary dual-modes would make a lot more sense than third-rail dual-modes. Any future longer-distance electrification will use catenary. Third-rail dual-modes are kind of dumb, so let's hope Siemens wins a bit for a catenary dual-mode.

Ryan · Jul 29, 2015

Unless New York is going to replace their third rail with catenary, someone is going to need to build a dual mode with a shoe, no matter how dumb it is.

jis · Jul 29, 2015

Ryan said:
Unless New York is going to replace their third rail with catenary, someone is going to need to build a dual mode with a shoe, no matter how dumb it is.

Right. Grand Central will not get catenary anytime soon if ever.

PVD · Jul 29, 2015

Nor is the Long Island Railroad.

jis · Jul 29, 2015

Yes, but LIRR can live with overhead dual mode to get to Penn Station. They do not absolutely positively need a third rail dual mode, unlike MNRR in Grand Central.

LIRR cannot get into ESA with loco hauled C3s at all due to clearance issues, so that is moot.

Andrew · Jul 29, 2015

It would be interesting to see if Metro North uses a Charger Dual Mode in the future, and the Long Island Rail Road chooses a catenary Dual Mode.

afigg · Jul 29, 2015

neroden said:
Catenary dual-modes would make a lot more sense than third-rail dual-modes. Any future longer-distance electrification will use catenary. Third-rail dual-modes are kind of dumb, so let's hope Siemens wins a bit for a catenary dual-mode.

I don't see what is "dumb" about a locomotive that has to work with the legacy systems in the NYC region. As already posted, LIRR and MNRR are not about to ditch their 3rd rail systems.

For the record, the specifications for the Dual Mode diesel locomotive with a 3rd rail pickup call for the following requirements

Sustained 110 mph capability in diesel-electric mode and sustained 80 mph in electric mode (Nominal 700 VDC 3rd rail).
For operation in corridor service (routes up to 600 miles in length) without refueling or other servicing.
Interoperable with existing single level or multi-level vehicles in mixed consist to be specified by the purchaser and the following Amtrak vehicles: Amfleet, Viewliner, Long Distance Single-Level Car, Horizon etc., including existing motive power of purchaser.
Montreal: The locomotive must meet the requirements which will allow the operation of the locomotive in diesel mode at Montreal Central Station. This operation mode means the diesel engine has low RPMs (thus creating less emissions and noise) when generating only HEP for the train.

Standardization

Dual mode (Nominal 700 VDC 3rd rail electric and diesel-electric) locomotive shall provide for standardization of components with those used in the PRIIA Diesel-Electric Passenger Locomotive (Specification 305-005) to the maximum extent practicable;
Consider providing a common platform for potential future locomotives using straight diesel-electric propulsion and electric power provided by an overhead catenary system. Any future dual mode diesel-electric/AC catenary locomotive shall provide for standardization of components with those used in the PRIIA Diesel-Electric Passenger Locomotive (Specification 305-005) and any PRIIA Dual Mode (DC 3rd Rail) Passenger Locomotive Specification developed from this Requirements Document, to the maximum extent practicable.
The locomotive shall have the ability to draw power from the under-running 3rd rail when in Metro-North Railroad territory and from the over-running 3rd rail when in Amtrak or Long Island Rail Road territory.

So, how about the ultimate Swiss army knife eastern corridor service locomotive: 110 mph in diesel mode, 125 mph from 25/60 HZ overhead catenary, and 80 mph on under and over-running 3rd rail shoes? And do all this without being a massively heavy locomotive nor overly expensive to operate.

neroden · Jul 29, 2015

afigg said:
For the record, the specifications for the Dual Mode diesel locomotive with a 3rd rail pickup call for the following requirements

Sustained 110 mph capability in diesel-electric mode and sustained 80 mph in electric mode (Nominal 700 VDC 3rd rail).

Gross. Should do 125 in electric mode, but will never happen with a third rail shoe... sounds like Metro-North is writing the specs, based on keeping its stupid, unique-in-world, energy-wasting, speed-limit-creating electrification.

afigg said:
So, how about the ultimate Swiss army knife eastern corridor service locomotive: 110 mph in diesel mode, 125 mph from 25/60 HZ overhead catenary, and 80 mph on under and over-running 3rd rail shoes? And do all this without being a massively heavy locomotive nor overly expensive to operate.

Great idea, but that's not being specced, it's just being suggested at something to "consider", while running off the legacy systems is being specced, so you know what you'll get. :-( I repeat, this is gross and backward-looking "planning".

jis · Jul 29, 2015

Where exactly is it going to run at 125 with third rail power?

Instead it should be able to run at 125mph under diesel power.

MattW · Jul 29, 2015

Has anything ever even run at 125mph on [ground] third-rail anywhere in the world?

Amtrak Siemens Charger locomotive (SC44, ALC42, ALC42E) (2015 - 1Q 2024)

Help Support Amtrak Unlimited Discussion Forum:

Train Attendant

OBS Chief

Train Attendant

OBS Chief

Engineer

Conductor

OBS Chief

Engineer

Engineer

Engineer

Lead Service Attendant

Engineer

Permanent Way Inspector

Conductor

Conductor

Engineer

Court Jester

Permanent Way Inspector

Engineer

Permanent Way Inspector

OBS Chief

Engineer

Engineer

Permanent Way Inspector

Conductor