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

[AmtrakBlue]

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.

Somebody should go stick their finger(s) in it and see if they get a charge out of the Charger. :giggle:

 

[George K]

Somebody should go stick their finger(s) in it and see if they get a charge out of the Charger. :giggle:

That would be revolting.

 

[Dutchrailnut]

ok were now at stage of stupid comments....

 

[Fan Railer]

lol my B for not zooming in on the MU cables =P

 

[Acela150]

Ok so for those wondering about that third port.

Getting a look at it from a few different angles in the Fan Railer video it appears to be a port where should the batteries die on the locomotive mechanical can come out and attempt to "jump it". Usually from another unit. Many freight units have this port or the "F" end and "B" end.

 

[Fan Railer]

At about 15 seconds here, you can see the labeling for the cable ports. I can make out MU control and Comm, but not the third one:

 

[JohannFarley]

It looks like it either says DTL or OTL.

 

[TinCan782]

From USA Today...August 10...

Railfan fantasy: Riding nation's newest locomotive

http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2016/08/10/siemens-charger-locomotive-testing/88374206/

 

[Dutchrailnut]

At about 15 seconds here, you can see the labeling for the cable ports. I can make out MU control and Comm, but not the third one:

DTL would be Digital or Data train line.

 

[VT Hokie]

I say take one of these and put them on one end of a Rohr Turboliner trainset, with the power car acting as a cab control push-pull unit on the other end. I mean, Amtrak still has the three sitting in Bear, DE doing nothing for the taxpayers at the moment. Maybe not such a crazy idea...see the photo approx. 2/3 of the way down this page:

https://www.farrail.com/pages/touren-engl/Railways-in-Iran-2016.php

 

[NSC1109]

Just watched the video showing the testing of the Chargers...I really hope they get a new horn. That thing sounds hideous

 

[brianpmcdonnell17]

Is that electronic sign on the front going to be used by Amtrak to show destination as is done on busses? I have always wondered why on Amfleets they do not use the interior electronic signs to announce stops. Last month when I was on train 20 ATL-CLT the interior sign in one coach car had a rotating message with the normal restroom location, plus Amtrak website URL, and a couple other things.

 

[Fan Railer]

Just watched the video showing the testing of the Chargers...I really hope they get a new horn. That thing sounds hideous

It's a standard K5LA. Same one used on the Sprinters and all other new passenger locomotives in the last decade. It's not changing any time soon.

 

[jis]

I'd say last several decades. And actually a lot of us really like it too as a quick search through the archives of AU will show no doubt. Most fortunately it is unlikely to change.

 

[NSC1109]

Just watched the video showing the testing of the Chargers...I really hope they get a new horn. That thing sounds hideous

It's a standard K5LA. Same one used on the Sprinters and all other new passenger locomotives in the last decade. It's not changing any time soon.

That was a K5? In that case I'm more than okay with it. From the video it sounded like some digital crap that was put on. I guess maybe the engineer didn't fully sound the horn..?

 

[Caesar La Rock]

Amtrak had the P5As on the F40s, P30CHs, and Turboliners. P01235 for the E60s. The second order of F40s was the start of the K5LA era on Amtrak, although all P5 horns (including the P01235) survived into the early 2000s I believe.

The SDP40Fs had the unique Leslie SL4Ts, which had the same fate as the locomotives themselves, not lasting long. I do know some F40s did get SL4Ts, IDK which ones though. I don't see any new horn coming into the picture for Amtrak for a while.

 

[CSXfoamer1997]

Amtrak had the P5As on the F40s, P30CHs, and Turboliners. P01235 for the E60s. The second order of F40s was the start of the K5LA era on Amtrak, although all P5 horns (including the P01235) survived into the early 2000s I believe.

The SDP40Fs had the unique Leslie SL4Ts, which had the same fate as the locomotives themselves, not lasting long. I do know some F40s did get SL4Ts, IDK which ones though. I don't see any new horn coming into the picture for Amtrak for a while.

It would be nice to hear a New Cast P5A on a Charger for a change. Lol

But I kinda like the new K5LA's.

 

[Thirdrail7]

I'm sure this has been answered before but I'm curious as to why this thread is in the Amtrak forum considering various states placed the order.

 

[PVD]

The only thing I can think of is that most of them will be operated and maintained by Amtrak.

 

[NSC1109]

http://www.highspeed-rail.org/Documents/NGEC%20305_Presentation_Multi%20State_21616-update.pdf

Not sure how I feel about the Michigan/Illinois/Missouri scheme...I know that these are going to be owned by the states and operated/maintained by Amtrak, but I feel like there should be some sort of clear "Amtrak" marking along with a road number on them...maybe they just weren't applied on the rendering?

 

[jis]

I suspect it will be upto the owning states to decide what markings they want to put on their locomotives. Of course what ever they decide on has to be compliant with FRA requirements.

I am sure the road identification AAR markings on these will not be AMTK, but things like IDTX for Illinois etc.and the numbering series will also be decided by the owners and not by Amtrak.

The MARC ones will of course have Maryland identity and markings, and not Amtrak ones.

I wonder if the one Tier IV locomotive that just got funded for ACE will just be an add on order to the California pool of SC-44s, and what livery they will get.

 

[brianpmcdonnell17]

Is the Lincoln Service equipment going to be owned by Illinois, Missouri, or a mix of both?

 

[jis]

Lincoln Service I believe is exclusively Illinois. River Runner is Missouri.

 

[afigg]

Is the Lincoln Service equipment going to be owned by Illinois, Missouri, or a mix of both?

The Mid-West equipment - the SC-44s and the Nippon-Sharyo bilevels - will be jointly owned by a consortium set up by the 3 states (MI, IL, MO). I expect they set up the consortium so WI, MN, IN, Iowa can join in (or buy in) if or when they decide to do so.

 

[Fan Railer]

Heads-up, IDTX 4604 is to be put on MARC 679 DHD tomorrow, 8/30 so it can be moved from Martin to WAS. It is planned to leave about 30 ahead of the scheduled 14:55 departure time from Martin so that there is ample time to cut 4604 off the consist at WAS. That would put it through BAL @ 14:47 and in WAS around 15:27. Happy hunting to those who are in the area and can come out to get it.