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

[Fan Railer]

First two MARC Chargers en-route to East Coast.

 

[Acela150]

First two MARC Chargers en-route to East Coast.

Three. Along with a Septic sprinter.

 

[daybeers]

First two MARC Chargers en-route to East Coast.

Yay!

 

[Agent]

From a post on Trainorders about this special train:

The special move is to run as the SFLES 01 on the UP. Routing shows to be Florin - Roseville - Sparks - Elko - Salt Lake City - Grand Junction - Denver - Salina - Kansas City - E St Louis.

 

[PaulM]

Recently, when I left Santa Fe to catch the east bound Chief 30 minutes away at Lamy, train status said that it had arrived in Albuquerque, the preceding station, 47 minutes early, and that it was expected in Lamy on time.

Turns out it departed 34 minutes late from ABQ, for a total dwell time of 1:02. The cause apparently was picking up two Chargers. Now I understand why it would take over an hour

to attach the engines; but why ABQ and not La Junta. I assume they were coming from testing at Pueblo, which is much closer to La Junta. What does ABQ have that La Junta doesn't?

 

[west point]

Carmen for brake check ?

 

[Thirdrail7]

Turns out it departed 34 minutes late from ABQ, for a total dwell time of 1:02. The cause apparently was picking up two Chargers. Now I understand why it would take over an hour

to attach the engines; but why ABQ and not La Junta. I assume they were coming from testing at Pueblo, which is much closer to La Junta. What does ABQ have that La Junta doesn't?

Mechanical forces, fuel, storage, a crew base, 18 more minutes in dwell time than LAJ......

 

[frequentflyer]

Recently, when I left Santa Fe to catch the east bound Chief 30 minutes away at Lamy, train status said that it had arrived in Albuquerque, the preceding station, 47 minutes early, and that it was expected in Lamy on time.

Turns out it departed 34 minutes late from ABQ, for a total dwell time of 1:02. The cause apparently was picking up two Chargers. Now I understand why it would take over an hour

to attach the engines; but why ABQ and not La Junta. I assume they were coming from testing at Pueblo, which is much closer to La Junta. What does ABQ have that La Junta doesn't?

I don't, somebody please clue me in why it takes an hour to attach two locomotives

 

[Ryan]

They did more than just attach the engines while stopped.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Recently, when I left Santa Fe to catch the east bound Chief 30 minutes away at Lamy, train status said that it had arrived in Albuquerque, the preceding station, 47 minutes early, and that it was expected in Lamy on time.

Turns out it departed 34 minutes late from ABQ, for a total dwell time of 1:02. The cause apparently was picking up two Chargers. Now I understand why it would take over an hour

to attach the engines; but why ABQ and not La Junta. I assume they were coming from testing at Pueblo, which is much closer to La Junta. What does ABQ have that La Junta doesn't?

I don't, somebody please clue me in why it takes an hour to attach two locomotives

They allow 28 mins - per the schedule - for servicing the train.It takes time to couple cars/engines. Get the engines onto the same track as the train - that can take time based on where the engines were stored in relation to the track where the SWC is stopped. Then there’s the careful coupling, connecting the cables, testing the brakes/air hoses, etc.

Sent from my iPhone using Amtrak Forum

 

[Dutchrailnut]

plus all steps to take for blue light protection.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

plus all steps to take for blue light protection.

Yep. I knew I didn’t include everything and was thinking about the safety aspects too.

Sent from my iPhone using Amtrak Forum

 

[Thirdrail7]

There is another thing that was left out. These engines that are being picked up aren't just "being attached." They are dead in tow engines that aren't being used. As such, they must be buried in the engine consist which typically involves separating the inbound power from the train, using them to retrieve the dead units, making them up (mu'ing them), then coupling back to the train.

Once that is completed, THEN you can perform your calendar inspection on the ENTIRE train.

 

[PaulM]

Hey! I said i understood the engine change time; but what about ABQ vs. LAJ?

 

[Dutchrailnut]

it was answered one has mechanical dept, other has not

 

[AmtrakBlue]

I don't, somebody please clue me in why it takes an hour to attach two locomotives

Paul, we were responding to this post, not yours.

 

[Thirdrail7]

Hey! I said i understood the engine change time; but what about ABQ vs. LAJ?

To repeat:

Turns out it departed 34 minutes late from ABQ, for a total dwell time of 1:02. The cause apparently was picking up two Chargers. Now I understand why it would take over an hour

to attach the engines; but why ABQ and not La Junta. I assume they were coming from testing at Pueblo, which is much closer to La Junta. What does ABQ have that La Junta doesn't?

Mechanical forces, fuel, storage, a crew base, 18 more minutes in dwell time than LAJ......

 

[daybeers]

New video showing the UP SFLES 01 on its way to Kansas City with three MARC Chargers and a SEPTA ACS-64:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJK6lCfmJIQ

Also, can anyone tell me how to embed videos on here? I tried searching the help page here and on google using site:discuss.amtraktrains.com, but found nothing helpful. Thanks!

 

[Acela150]

Videos normally embed themselves.

 

[Northwest Railfan]

Two of the WSDOT units, 1400 and 1404, are out of service after incidents this week. 1404 hit a car, and 1400 was damaged by a trespasser in the Amtrak Seattle coach yard.

 

[Scuba_Steve]

Two of the WSDOT units, 1400 and 1404, are out of service after incidents this week. 1404 hit a car, and 1400 was damaged by a trespasser in the Amtrak Seattle coach yard.

I heard the trespasser tried to (or did) set a fire to 1400. Anyone have more info?

And does anyone know the extent of damage to the two units?

 

[twropr]

MARC 80-81-82 were delivered to the commuter rr at Riverside Yd (Baltimore) on the 9th. Plans are to test them first on the Brunswick and Camden lines.

Let us know if you see any of these Chargers on a test run.

Andy

 

[CSXfoamer1997]

WSDOT #1402 was wrecked this morning when it derailed while hauling Amtrak Cascades #501 on an inaugural run on the new Cascades route. Sadly, 9 passengers were killed and 77 passengers and car motorists sustained injuries. It seems like it's irreparable, but at least the design of it saved the engineer's life, thanks to Siemens!

My thoughts and prayers go to those affected by the accident, as well as the friends and families of those that were killed.

 

[west point]

Appears that Charger went straight off the rails. Maybe a broken wheel flange on the high side ( right side ) of loco ?

 

[CCC1007]

WSDOT #1402 was wrecked this morning when it derailed while hauling Amtrak Cascades #501 on an inaugural run on the new Cascades route. Sadly, 9 passengers were killed and 77 passengers and car motorists sustained injuries. It seems like it's irreparable, but at least the design of it saved the engineer's life, thanks to Siemens!

My thoughts and prayers go to those affected by the accident, as well as the friends and families of those that were killed.

What indications do you see that indicate to you that it is totaled?

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