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

[chakk]

Remember E units had 2 prime mover diesels in each unit. So if one failed still had some power. At the end of SOU RR Crescent days there were 4 E units on the train north of ATL. ~ 12.000 HP

Not quite 12k HP. The last E units had 2400 HP, so four of them could deliver 9600 HP. But those on Southern may have been E8s instead of E9s. The E8s had 2250 HP in each unit.

 

[grahamru]

With these new Chargers coming on-line, Amtrak should have an additional 33 P-42's available in Chicago (who knows what shape they are in), but what about the Amtrak engines in California and Washington state? CalTrans has 20 Chargers on order and WasDOT has 8. Will this free up an additional 28 Amtrak engines for LD service? I know both CalTrans and WasDOT have some of there own engines, will any of these be retired or are they looking at the Chargers as a way to get rid of any P42's they are leasing from Amtrak?

The Charger order of 33 locomotives for the Midwest is significantly more than the IL, MI, MO corridors are currently using. Don't know exactly how many P-42s might be freed up in the Midwest for use elsewhere, but it is not 33 of them. The additional locomotives will be available for expanded service frequencies and probably will be used on the 110 mph corridors to put 2 locomotives on each trainset for better acceleration.
As discussed earlier in this thread, the locomotives that will be freed up in California are F-59PHIs. With the Chargers becoming the main locomotive for the Midwest and West coast corridor services, if Amtrak decides to keep their F-59PHIs, might see them get moved east for use on some of the eastern corridor services. Probably won't be enough Chargers in revenue service until late 2017 or 2018 for the F-59s to start getting freed up.

Since the Chargers are now in testing, I thought I'd bring back the discussion about the order itself from the dead.

First, discussion needs to be present to consider Amtrak to not scrap ANY locomotives the Chargers are replacing.

Second, for each Charger that comes online, Amtrak should send the P42s, F59s and B32s through overhauls. I think we've all seen (or even experienced) a BNSF, CSX, NS or UP loco pulling a LD train. That must not make the Class I's happy when they have to pull a disabled Amtrak train.

Service reliability and costs to maintain equipment should drive what is retained and rehabilitated (or not). Other factors would include effiency as well as environmental compliance. Some decisions are not vested with Amtrak, as some the locomotives are owned by CalTrans. Sadly, rehabilitation can only go so far and some equipment is at the end of serviceable condition.

 

[KnightRail]

Look for passenger cars from one of the states that has ordered Chargers to be heading west to the test track.

 

[Acela150]

Look for passenger cars from one of the states that has ordered Chargers to be heading west to the test track.

Saysssssssss???

 

[Ryan]

The Internet!!!

Which is never wrong!!!

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Look for passenger cars from one of the states that has ordered Chargers to be heading west to the test track.

Saysssssssss???

Hmm, I could be wrong but I think KnightRail has good sources of info.

 

[afigg]

Look for passenger cars from one of the states that has ordered Chargers to be heading west to the test track.

The only new (intercity) passenger cars that are likely to be close to heading to the FRA Pueblo test facility would be the Siemens single level cars being built for Brightline (formerly All Aboard Florida). Brightline is a private entity buying rolling stock for the Miami to Orlando route; it is not one of the states acquiring Chargers nor N-S bi-level corridor cars. Whether the Siemens coach cars would be shipped to Pueblo along with the first of the Brightline Chargers, don't know.

 

[Karl1459]

Look for passenger cars from one of the states that has ordered Chargers to be heading west to the test track.

I am just speculating here, but testing compatibility and ride dynamics with the actual cars to be operated behind these locos might be one of the later check offs on the testing list. Perhaps due diligence to avoid another SDP40F debacle.

 

[Thirdrail7]

Look for passenger cars from one of the states that has ordered Chargers to be heading west to the test track.

The only new (intercity) passenger cars that are likely to be close to heading to the FRA Pueblo test facility would be the Siemens single level cars being built for Brightline (formerly All Aboard Florida). Brightline is a private entity buying rolling stock for the Miami to Orlando route; it is not one of the states acquiring Chargers nor N-S bi-level corridor cars. Whether the Siemens coach cars would be shipped to Pueblo along with the first of the Brightline Chargers, don't know.

I'm just playing Devil's Advocate (see he doesn't seem available for comment at this time) but I don't see anything about in KnightRail's post stating the equipment belongs to an intercity carrier.

I believe there is a commuter service that has a vested interest in these 125 mph engines.

 

[CCC1007]

Look for passenger cars from one of the states that has ordered Chargers to be heading west to the test track.

I am just speculating here, but testing compatibility and ride dynamics with the actual cars to be operated behind these locos might be one of the later check offs on the testing list. Perhaps due diligence to avoid another SDP40F debacle.

So it could be California cars, horizon fleet cars, and MARC equipment in pueblo for testing?

 

[afigg]

Look for passenger cars from one of the states that has ordered Chargers to be heading west to the test track.

I am just speculating here, but testing compatibility and ride dynamics with the actual cars to be operated behind these locos might be one of the later check offs on the testing list. Perhaps due diligence to avoid another SDP40F debacle.

On further consideration, you have a point. Rather than new cars, could be a few Horizons or Amfleets headed to Pueblo to be pulled by the 2 Chargers for the testing. They have to verify that the SC-44s can pull a consist of X cars up to 125 mph. Not a big deal as Amfleets went to Pueblo for the ACS-64 testing a couple of years ago. Still, the Brightline Chargers and coach cars will also presumably be heading to the Pueblo test facility sometime in the next month or two for testing as well.

 

[Ryan]

I believe there is a commuter service that has a vested interest in these 125 mph engines.

That reminds me I forgot to share this...

 

[A Voice]

I believe there is a commuter service that has a vested interest in these 125 mph engines.

That reminds me I forgot to share this...

Screen Shot 2016-07-07 at 9.53.04 PM.png

I thought MARC was committed to an all-diesel operation. By "not getting rid of the HHP-8"s" I assume they are only referring to the short term until the new diesel locomotives are delivered?

 

[PVD]

there was a posting on a different site that 4 MARC multilevels were heading to Chicago on the CL. Would anyone be surprised if they went out on the CZ to Denver, and then down to Pueblo?

 

[Ryan]

I believe there is a commuter service that has a vested interest in these 125 mph engines.

That reminds me I forgot to share this...

Screen Shot 2016-07-07 at 9.53.04 PM.png

I thought MARC was committed to an all-diesel operation. By "not getting rid of the HHP-8"s" I assume they are only referring to the short term until the new diesel locomotives are delivered?

That's what I thought as well. It appears that may have changed.

 

[KnightRail]

... that 4 MARC multilevels were heading to Chicago on the CL. Would anyone be surprised if they went out on the CZ to Denver, and then down to Pueblo?

That would be an astute inference

 

[Thirdrail7]

... that 4 MARC multilevels were heading to Chicago on the CL. Would anyone be surprised if they went out on the CZ to Denver, and then down to Pueblo?

That would be an astute inference

I'm kind of glad I don't play volleyball with this group. Talk about missing easy set ups. :help:

 

[Agent]

I saw Amtrak #5(10) come through Agency, Iowa this evening with four MARC bi-level cars and not one, but two heritage baggage cars. As expected, AMTK 1714 was on the end with the commuter cars. I was surprised to see AMTK 1710 up front in revenue service. Anyway, the cars the Chargers will be tested with are MARC 7802, 7833, 7834, and 7804.

 

[frequentflyer]

I saw Amtrak #5(10) come through Agency, Iowa this evening with four MARC bi-level cars and not one, but two heritage baggage cars. As expected, AMTK 1714 was on the end with the commuter cars. I was surprised to see AMTK 1710 up front in revenue service. Anyway, the cars the Chargers will be tested with are MARC 7802, 7833, 7834, and 7804.

Was that at 79mph?

 

[Agent]

Was that at 79mph?

Should be that or pretty close to it.

 

[Agent]

This video from YouTube user Sky Rider show Amtrak #6(10) with four units. I'm guessing two will be used for the move to Pueblo.

 

[Ryan]

Anyway, the cars the Chargers will be tested with are MARC 7802, 7833, 7834, and 7804.

Interesting choice of cars, all trailers (no cab cars, which is a functionality I would want to test). 2 original MARC cars (780x), and 2 ex-VRE cars (783x). All 125 certified K-cars, not the soon to be 125 MPH MLVs.

 

[Acela150]

Anyway, the cars the Chargers will be tested with are MARC 7802, 7833, 7834, and 7804.

(no cab cars, which is a functionality I would want to test).

Ryan, let's be honest.. You're right. But God forbid they think of that.. :wacko:

 

[PVD]

I guess if it is deemed safe to operate, and at certain speeds, acceptance for local conditions (push-pull ops, specific signalling systems) would be done by the purchaser/operator.Probably not part of the DOT tests, but certainly important.

 

[Karl1459]

Anyway, the cars the Chargers will be tested with are MARC 7802, 7833, 7834, and 7804.

Interesting choice of cars, all trailers (no cab cars, which is a functionality I would want to test). 2 original MARC cars (780x), and 2 ex-VRE cars (783x). All 125 certified K-cars, not the soon to be 125 MPH MLVs.

The relevant testing is likely how the cars track in relation to the locomotive. Pushing (and pulling) with control in the locomotive should provide the data. The only thing relevant to a cab car is how well the controls work and this is likely an industry standard. Even then a cab car may be available at DOT Pueblo.