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

[CSXfoamer1997]

Welp, besides the first complete Charger for one of the State DOT's, the Brightline ones are beginning to take shape! The first train is to be delivered by this fall!

 

[CSXfoamer1997]

Welp, Brightline has just unveiled its first loco!

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Welp, Brightline has just unveiled its first loco!

Being discussed here: http://discuss.amtraktrains.com/index.php?/topic/48373-fec-update/?p=666368

 

[Fan Railer]

Siemens Charger related news: QSK95 test bed loco now in service. If anything I hear the fans more than the actual diesel, so the jury's still out on this one:

 

[CSXfoamer1997]

Siemens Charger related news: QSK95 test bed loco now in service. If anything I hear the fans more than the actual diesel, so the jury's still out on this one:

Nice!

 

[jis]

According to a usually reliable source posting on Trainorders, Amtrak picked up two Siemens Chargers at the Siemens plant in Sacramento to tow them to Oakland. They are IDTX 4601 and 4602. They will be ferried to Denver by CZ in a few days. I suppose they will show up at Pueblo for initial testing.

And so it begins....

 

[afigg]

According to a usually reliable source posting on Trainorders, Amtrak picked up two Siemens Chargers at the Siemens plant in Sacramento to tow them to Oakland. They are IDTX 4601 and 4602. They will be ferried to Denver by CZ in a few days. I suppose they will show up at Pueblo for initial testing.

And so it begins....

Good. At least one builder is staying close to on schedule. Now we wait for the first photos and videos of the 2 Chargers out in the wild to get posted.

 

[TheMalahat]

sorry posted link in wrong thread!

 

[warrenwarner]

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.

Do you have any more information about how MNRR is overhauling their locomotives?? thank you

 

[Dutchrailnut]

Last P32acdm is now at paint shop in Altoona Pa, the overhaul of all units was at Erie.

 

[Fan Railer]

Charger locos depart Florin for Pueblo:

 

[R30A]

So we have a model number now!
"SC-44"

 

[frequentflyer]

Trying to imagine in phase three paint........

 

[Steve4031]

I like.!!

 

[CSXfoamer1997]

Charger locos depart Florin for Pueblo:

Very sweet, indeed!

 

[PerRock]

A very nice collection of photos have been posted in the NEC Facebook Group, if your a member: https://www.facebook.com/groups/7860063780/permalink/10154280623693781/

peter

 

[afigg]

According to trainorders, the two Chargers are on the eastbound CZ with a total of four P-42s. Think they have enough horsepower for the train?

 

[Thirdrail7]

According to trainorders, the two Chargers are on the eastbound CZ with a total of four P-42s. Think they have enough horsepower for the train?

That is because they are going to be cut at DEN and need power to get them to the test facility.

 

[Agent]

Video of Amtrak #6(18) from YouTube user Gary Perazzo.

 

[west point]

4 P-42s may seem overpowered but the train trackers show that #6 has been early almost everywhere. The video shows all 4 powering up

 

[CSXfoamer1997]

I wonder if the Chargers have cooling fans on the roof like the P42's?

 

[George K]

Just looked at the Wikipedia article on the Charger. It says:

The Illinois Department of Transportation, in conjunction with its counterparts in California, Michigan, Missouri and Washington, purchased 32 locomotives for corridor service operated by Amtrak in March 2014. Included in this $225 million order are options for an additional 75 corridor-configured locomotives and 150 locomotives configured for long distance service,with the long distance locomotive being fitted with a larger 2,200 US gallons (8,300 l; 1,800 imp gal) fuel tank as opposed to the 1,800 US gallons (6,800 l; 1,500 imp gal) tank on the corridor locomotive.[

Is the only difference between corridor and those designated for long distance the size of the fuel tank? How much more range does 400 gallons give?

 

[CCC1007]

Just looked at the Wikipedia article on the Charger. It says:

The Illinois Department of Transportation, in conjunction with its counterparts in California, Michigan, Missouri and Washington, purchased 32 locomotives for corridor service operated by Amtrak in March 2014. Included in this $225 million order are options for an additional 75 corridor-configured locomotives and 150 locomotives configured for long distance service,with the long distance locomotive being fitted with a larger 2,200 US gallons (8,300 l; 1,800 imp gal) fuel tank as opposed to the 1,800 US gallons (6,800 l; 1,500 imp gal) tank on the corridor locomotive.[

Is the only difference between corridor and those designated for long distance the size of the fuel tank? How much more range does 400 gallons give?

~2 hours additional range at full throttle, if consumption is similar to that of the p42.

 

[CSXfoamer1997]

Just looked at the Wikipedia article on the Charger. It says:

The Illinois Department of Transportation, in conjunction with its counterparts in California, Michigan, Missouri and Washington, purchased 32 locomotives for corridor service operated by Amtrak in March 2014. Included in this $225 million order are options for an additional 75 corridor-configured locomotives and 150 locomotives configured for long distance service,with the long distance locomotive being fitted with a larger 2,200 US gallons (8,300 l; 1,800 imp gal) fuel tank as opposed to the 1,800 US gallons (6,800 l; 1,500 imp gal) tank on the corridor locomotive.[

Is the only difference between corridor and those designated for long distance the size of the fuel tank? How much more range does 400 gallons give?

Probably 100 to 300 more miles with their fuel efficiency.

 

[neroden]

They should be a *lot* more efficient than the P42s. You lose some from the emissions controls, but you gain a lot more from the other technological improvements which have been made since 1992.

-- regenerative braking

-- AC motors

-- solid-state technology instead of alternators