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

[MiniMax]

I rode the Eurostar recently. The average speed is 186 mph.

 

[CCC1007]

I rode the Eurostar recently. The average speed is 186 mph.

False, the average speed cannot be the maximum authorized speed of the route.

 

[A Voice]

Per today's AASHTO meeting minutes, Siemens Charger IDOT 4612 is expected in revenue service this week on the Chicago-Milwaukee route.

Still nothing on the defunct Nippon-Sharyo order, of course.

 

[amtrakpass]

If it is kosher to partially copy the meeting minutes that were mentioned it is looking good for the engines but no info on the coaches

c) All Caltrans locomotives have been delivered to Oakland. They have completed all testing, and are in revenue service.

d) IDOT and Siemens have signed final acceptance on IDOT units: 4603- 4611. Units 4612, 4613 have been signed for conditional acceptance, final is in progress.

f) IDOT Locomotives 4604, 4611, 4612 & 4613 are in Chicago and the pre-revenue testing and track geometry testing has been completed on the applicable Midwest corridors. The 110 MPH 238.111a testing on the Michigan and Chicago to St. Louis corridors will be run at a later date due to IETMS/PTC implementation and ITCS software development. 4612 & 4613 are ready for revenue service. 4604 & 4611 will be ready after the 92-day maintenance is performed. The plan is to go into revenue service in the Midwest next week.

f) IDOT locomotives 4614 & 4615 have completed burn-in testing at TTCI and will ship to Chicago today. Locomotives 4616 & 4617 are completing burn-in tests this week and locomotives 4618 & 4619 will begin burn-in tests next.

e) All WSDOT Locomotives have been delivered and have competed pre-revenue testing and are being readied for revenue service.

 

[WoodyinNYC]

If it is kosher to partially copy the meeting minutes [?]

Kosher to kopy? Sure. The public records of public agencies belong to the people. And in most cases when posted on the Internet, it is by legislative requirement (e.g. Open Meetings laws, etc.).

Of course, privately published material is owed considerable respect.

However, often articles, even in serious publications, are based largely or totally on company-issued "press releases". In that case, try to track down the underlying press release to copy and paste. A "press release" is not covered by copyright; it's purpose is to spread certain information, so spread it.

btw Thanks for posting the nitty gritty for this informative update on the Chargers.

 

[Thirdrail7]

4612 & 4613 are ready for revenue service. 4604 & 4611 will be ready after the 92-day maintenance is performed. The plan is to go into revenue service in the Midwest next week.

4613 should make its revenue maiden voyage in Hiawatha Service today.

 

[amtrakpass]

Thanks for the heads up. Charger 4613 was indeed on hiawatha 332 this morning. Veterans cabbage unit was in the lead. 4613 and regular p-42 on the rear. Should head back to Milwaukee on 333 shortly i would guess

 

[Agent]

Video by Bob Cox from yesterday showing the eastbound Southwest Chief at La Plata, Missouri with four Chargers. They were the 4616, 4617, 4618, and 4619.

 

[jis]

Seemed to be quite a collection of stuff being dead headed on that train!

 

[Steve4031]

Interesting that the California car is on the end.

 

[MattW]

Close cousins of the Sprinter have been running in Finland for the last couple of winters with no problems. Of course we do know that that American exceptionalism dictates that the snow and the laws of Physics are different in the US from the rest of the Universe. So we'll just have to wait and see. More seriously, there could be differences that make the US version more vulnerable. The Finnish version has actually undergone some additional winterization for operation at utpo -40C and heavier than usual snow falls. Somewhat older version have been operating in the Alps and Poland for several years now. So even if there is a problem, solutions to such are well known.

But do those close cousins have the same design intake/vents as the one in question?

 

[jis]

You did not bother to read what I wrote in its entirety did you? If you did you would have discovered that I do mention the possibility that they might be more vulnerable.

 

[Ziv]

If they are supposedly running close cousins to the Charger in "Finland", I doubt that it actually happened! Everyone knows that there is no real country called Finland. It is a fabrication of the Russians and the Japanese. Helsinki is actually located in East Sweden. You flew into the airport there, how are you supposed to know where you actually are?

Take a look at the map at the link...

https://www.quora.com/Is-Finland-a-real-country

I mean, you can't get more legit than Quora!

Close cousins of the Sprinter have been running in Finland for the last couple of winters with no problems. Of course we do know that that American exceptionalism dictates that the snow and the laws of Physics are different in the US from the rest of the Universe. So we'll just have to wait and see. More seriously, there could be differences that make the US version more vulnerable. The Finnish version has actually undergone some additional winterization for operation at utpo -40C and heavier than usual snow falls. Somewhat older version have been operating in the Alps and Poland for several years now. So even if there is a problem, solutions to such are well known.

 

[Agent]

MobileRailSpotterRxR filmed SC-44s 4622 and 4623 being delivered in Sacramento yesterday.

 

[far_call]

4622 and 4623 spotted in Oakland heading south on #11 today.

 

[Steve4031]

Here is 4613 in union station. I saw it when I got off of 392. It was on 304 from Stl. There was one p42 on the south end of the train and on the north end a p42 led with the charger behind it elephant style.

The front of the charger had a light display like you see on the front of s bus or commuter train with the word "Chicago". This would be visible to pax when the Chargers are leading.

 

[brianpmcdonnell17]

ImageUploadedByAmtrak Forum1501388564.417374.jpg

ImageUploadedByAmtrak Forum1501388579.739074.jpg

Here is 4613 in union station. I saw it when I got off of 392. It was on 304 from Stl. There was one p42 on the south end of the train and on the north end a p42 led with the charger behind it elephant style.

The front of the charger had a light display like you see on the front of s bus or commuter train with the word "Chicago". This would be visible to pax when the Chargers are leading.

I have long thought that the display board is an interesting and often ignored feature of the Chargers. Not that it is a huge deal, but it is a helpful addition that likely cost relatively little.
I do wish they would have added something to the paint scheme, however. I like the colors but the sides are empty and there is no logo or lettering for either the states or Amtrak.

The front left corner of that locomotive also looks a little beat up already, considering it's young age.

 

[Thirdrail7]

I do wish they would have added something to the paint scheme, however. I like the colors but the sides are empty and there is no logo or lettering for either the states or Amtrak.

Then perhaps you should keep a sharp watch for the 4611, which may be the first of many to fit your bill. It is floating around Chicago somewhere and there is be a picture or two that may interest you. h34r: Knowing this board, it will probably give you something to complain about. ^_^

 

[Hotblack Desiato]

The front left corner of that locomotive also looks a little beat up already, considering it's young age.

There's nothing wrong with it. What you might think are dents/scratches are just light reflections around the curved corner of the locomotive.

 

[DSS&A]

I have seen a new Charger double-heading with a GE today and three days last week on one of the Hiawatha train sets.

 

[Thirdrail7]

I have seen a new Charger double-heading with a today and three days last week on one of the Hiawatha train sets.

As mentioned above, the Chargers are entering revenue service albeit in trail status. California has 6 of them approved for revenue service (with 3 of them in use today) and Illinois has 4 of them in revenue service today. You should see them quite a bit.

 

[DSS&A]

Hi,

Thanks for the information. Hopefully their performance will be good enough for them to unleashed to run solo soon.

 

[brianpmcdonnell17]

I do wish they would have added something to the paint scheme, however. I like the colors but the sides are empty and there is no logo or lettering for either the states or Amtrak.

Then perhaps you should keep a sharp watch for the 4611, which may be the first of many to fit your bill. It is floating around Chicago somewhere and there is be a picture or two that may interest you. h34r: Knowing this board, it will probably give you something to complain about. ^_^

Do you happen to know where those pictures are? I have looked everywhere I could think of and could not find any photos or videos of 4611 since May.

 

[frequentflyer]

The question is with the freed up Genesis what happens to them? Rebuilt? Well deserved rest?

 

[Acela150]

I have seen a new Charger double-heading with a today and three days last week on one of the Hiawatha train sets.

As mentioned above, the Chargers are entering revenue service albeit in trail status. California has 6 of them approved for revenue service (with 3 of them in use today) and Illinois has 4 of them in revenue service today. You should see them quite a bit.

Any particular reason for trail only status for now? I'm guessing to ensure no breakdowns?