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

[jis]

Yeah, maybe the 12'6" came from the European units, though none appear to have the height documented in Wiki.

The edge of the roof line of the Sprinter appears to be about the same height as the top of Amfleets, which is 12'8". Then there is the beveled hump over the cabs at each end which appear to stick upto about 14'. The flat roof on which the HV electrical switchgear and the pantos are mounted appear to be something like 12'6" to 12'8" from photos. So maybe that is what the 12'6" is referring to, the height from rail top to the top of the monococque body.

Again just speculating.

 

[fulham]

When these units are delivered to Illinois, I wonder if there will be any change regarding maintenance procedures in Chicago? Since the states will own these engines and not Amtrak will the states have more say over how they are to be maintained? Amtrak's Chicago maintenance facility does not have the best reputation, but I don't know what other options would be available. Don't know if the RCM program that has worked with the Acela's could be put in place. Could be interesting.

 

[jis]

I don't know what deal the states have with Siemens. AAF has Siemens as the maintenance contractor for their entire trainsets including the locomotives.

 

[Steve4031]

What is the RCM program? How is it different?

 

[jis]

What is the RCM program? How is it different?

Reliability Centered Maintenance. See:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reliability-centered_maintenance

Suffice it to say that without RCM there would be no Extended Twin OPerations across the vast oceans, which enables the use of twin engine planes like the 757, 767, 777, 787 and A350 and A330 on intercontinental flights.

Amtrak uses RCM on the Acelas, but for some mystifying reason they started and then stopped using RCM on the rest of their locomotive fleet.

 

[afigg]

I don't know what deal the states have with Siemens. AAF has Siemens as the maintenance contractor for their entire trainsets including the locomotives.

Amtrak will maintain the Mid-West equipment. That has been discussed in the minutes of the NGEC executive committee. Excerpts from one of the June minutes:

Progress Report: Mid-West States – Tim Hoeffner, Michigan DOT:

Tim Hoeffner provided the following update:

Proposals for Fleet Manager have been received and are under review.

The Mid-West group is having ongoing discussions with Mario Bergeron and his team about maintenance of the fleet, especially the locomotives.

The group is working on detailed by-laws for the Mid-West states which will build off of the MOU that is currently in place.

Jennifer Bastian, IDOT, added that the lease and operating agreement with Amtrak Mechanical is being finalized.

There is content in other NGEC documents about defining a maintenance standard and plan that will presumably apply to the Amtrak maintenance contract. Whether that would include RCM or similar approach, don't know. IIRC, there have been references to California reaching an agreement with Amtrak for the maintenance of the new equipment as well.

 

[Steve4031]

Thank you for the explanation of RCM. I can see the difference in the number of reported engine failures on the routes out of Chicago.

 

[Fan Railer]

UBER MEGA FOAM:

 

[Steve4031]

NICE!!!!

 

[Palmetto]

NICE!!!!

Except the flashers on the crossing apparatus don't seem to be working!

 

[Dutchrailnut]

hard to tell from that angle, specially if LED lights are used.

the lights on crossing arms are working when viewed in youtube full screen mode

 

[jis]

I don't know what deal the states have with Siemens. AAF has Siemens as the maintenance contractor for their entire trainsets including the locomotives.

Amtrak will maintain the Mid-West equipment. That has been discussed in the minutes of the NGEC executive committee. Excerpts from one of the June minutes:

Poor souls. They have my utmost sympathies....

 

[Agent]

Here's another video of the nice consist on the Capitol Limited. This was filmed this morning by YouTube user jackmp294.5TM in West Newton, Pennsylvania.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Nice view from that front porch! Thanks for sharing!

 

[norfolkwesternhenry]

I want that porch! I don't care if trains run through there every 5 min!

 

[afigg]

Another video, but this one from the Pueblo test facility including inside shots of the control panel while running at 108 to 109 mph: A ride in Siemens' new diesel-electric Charger locomotive.

 

[frequentflyer]

That's a big blind spot on the engineer's right.

 

[jis]

Typically on trains engineers do not need to look left and right before changing lanes

 

[Fan Railer]

B-roll footage from testing @ TTCI. Sounds like a giant Dodge Ram if you ask me xD

http://siemensusa.synapticdigital.com/US/SIEMENS-USA/siemens-clean-diesel-electric-charger-locomotives-progressing-through-demanding-testing-program/s/5f57a187-2cb9-4338-819b-6e0ac660be60

Also, 4604 on the Cap @ Harpers and WAS:

 

[west point]

Looking at the walk by of the SC-44 there is a third new some kind of MU connection next to the train control and loco control 27 point connectors. It is smaller and yellow in color. Some one who can look at it and tell us its labeling will be appreciated.

 

[Northwest Railfan]

Looking at the walk by of the SC-44 there is a third new some kind of MU connection next to the train control and loco control 27 point connectors. It is smaller and yellow in color. Some one who can look at it and tell us its labeling will be appreciated.

Could it be something to do with PTC?

 

[Dutchrailnut]

no, PTC is not something that is train lined only active PTC would be on lead locomotive.

It may be a digital train line like some of NJT trains are using, maybe JIS has better info on that.

 

[jis]

no, PTC is not something that is train lined only active PTC would be on lead locomotive.

It may be a digital train line like some of NJT trains are using, maybe JIS has better info on that.

I have been scratching my head about this one. Actually even some older Amtrak equipment has a third connector, and I have never quite figured out for what. I guess time to ask some of our Amtrak NEC denizens if they know.

 

[PVD]

Two of the most knpwledgeable and respected people on this board (JIS and Dutchrailnut) are not familiar with it. Can't be a game breaker. Maybe a port for connecting some type of maintenance data device?

 

[Dutchrailnut]

One of Amtrak tech's guesses its a data bus for trouble shooting car computers and destination signs, simmular to NJT Data bus used on Comet V and MLV cars.