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

[jis]

Will there be a Charger variant with 750V dc capability? The P32AC-DMs will have to remain, at least for a while.

MTA is the lead agency on finalizing the design of that. I am sure Amtrak will just add on to MTA's order when the time comes.

 

[Irelandvegas65]

They won't be in service this year. If they are, I doubt it'll be those routes.

What does it matter? Well truly, it doesn't make much of a difference to the regular traveler. However to railfans, it makes a lot of difference. It will simply be sad to see the P42's (current engines) be replaced, as we've all gotten used to seeing them haul our trains over the years.

I was stating "why does it matter" meaning my question, in case anyone wondered why I would ask that. I suspect they will be a big difference from a technical standpoint, fuel and , I am guessing noise.
I am excited, but sad I won't get to ride behind one this fall.......... Thanks Cal1

 

[railiner]

MTA is the lead agency on finalizing the design of that. I am sure Amtrak will just add on to MTA's order when the time comes.

Including a nose door, this time?

 

[Acela150]

Including a nose door, this time?

Actually the escape hatch will be built into the windshield on the "firemen's side".

 

[railiner]

Actually the escape hatch will be built into the windshield on the "firemen's side".

That'll work....

 

[Dutchrailnut]

yes, if there is steps on that nose and if there is not a control console to climb over.
a fuel fire in tunnel escalades in very short time .

 

[Seaboard92]

Sure! Until one fails! Then it's not fun at all.

It's funny one time a railfan was asking me in advance what type of locomotive we would have on a trip in advance. And I told him but he didn't like the answer. My response was "All that matters to me is we get from point A to Point B on time. If it can manage that it's a good locomotive." He never asked me again.

 

[JontyMort]

That'll work....

Bond: Ejector seat? You’re joking.
Q: I never joke about my work, 007.

 

[neroden]

It's funny one time a railfan was asking me in advance what type of locomotive we would have on a trip in advance. And I told him but he didn't like the answer. My response was "All that matters to me is we get from point A to Point B on time. If it can manage that it's a good locomotive." He never asked me again.

There are fans who care about the motive power. I am not one of them.

Then there are fans who care about the rolling stock (is that a Viewliner I or a Viewliner II?). I admit, I am one of them.

 

[neroden]

I feel like noting that the change from P42s (or in California, F59PHIs, or in NY, P32AC-DMs) to Chargers will be a major change in emissions. It's going straight from Tier Zero to Tier Four all in one go. Prior to the Chargers Amtrak was running only unrenovated Tier Zero equipment. The P42s were actually somewhat better than the Tier Zero standards, but still, going all the way to Tier Four is a huge jump.

From dieselnet, I have line haul standards for tier 0 not-remanufactured:

HC*	CO	NOx	PM

1.0

5.0

9.5

0.60

And average emissions back in 1997:

0.5

1.5

13.5

0.34

P42s were probably a bit better than that. But here are the Tier Four standards:

0.14f

1.5

1.3f

0.03

Most noticeable to passengers is the drop in PM (particulate matter), followed by the drop in HC (not-fully-combusted hydrocarbons). In short, the exhaust smoke from the Chargers should be a lot less smelly and irritating.

 

[railiner]

I feel like noting that the change from P42s (or in California, F59PHIs, or in NY, P32AC-DMs) to Chargers will be a major change in emissions. It's going straight from Tier Zero to Tier Four all in one go. Prior to the Chargers Amtrak was running only unrenovated Tier Zero equipment. The P42s were actually somewhat better than the Tier Zero standards, but still, going all the way to Tier Four is a huge jump.

From dieselnet, I have line haul standards for tier 0 not-remanufactured:

HC*	CO	NOx	PM

1.0

5.0

9.5

0.60

And average emissions back in 1997:

0.5

1.5

13.5

0.34

P42s were probably a bit better than that. But here are the Tier Four standards:

0.14f

1.5

1.3f

0.03

Most noticeable to passengers is the drop in PM (particulate matter), followed by the drop in HC (not-fully-combusted hydrocarbons). In short, the exhaust smoke from the Chargers should be a lot less smelly and irritating.

That would have been very helpful for visibility, in the days of Vista-domes...

 

[Cal]

There are fans who care about the motive power. I am not one of them.

Then there are fans who care about the rolling stock (is that a Viewliner I or a Viewliner II?). I admit, I am one of them.

I care about both, but more the rolling stock

 

[Dutchrailnut]

That would have been very helpful for visibility, in the days of Vista-domes...

actually the stuff you see is not the stuff that pollutes.

 

[railiner]

actually the stuff you see is not the stuff that pollutes.

The particulates stuck to the front dome glass, hence 'polluted' vision, until they were washed at Denver and Portola on the old CZ....

 

[MARC Rider]

I feel like noting that the change from P42s (or in California, F59PHIs, or in NY, P32AC-DMs) to Chargers will be a major change in emissions. It's going straight from Tier Zero to Tier Four all in one go. Prior to the Chargers Amtrak was running only unrenovated Tier Zero equipment. The P42s were actually somewhat better than the Tier Zero standards, but still, going all the way to Tier Four is a huge jump.

From dieselnet, I have line haul standards for tier 0 not-remanufactured:

HC*	CO	NOx	PM

1.0

5.0

9.5

0.60

And average emissions back in 1997:

0.5

1.5

13.5

0.34

P42s were probably a bit better than that. But here are the Tier Four standards:

0.14f

1.5

1.3f

0.03

Most noticeable to passengers is the drop in PM (particulate matter), followed by the drop in HC (not-fully-combusted hydrocarbons). In short, the exhaust smoke from the Chargers should be a lot less smelly and irritating.

Presumably, these standards are grams per brake horsepower-hr for the engine running a test cycle on a dynamometer, not grams per mile from the locomotive running on the tracks.

 

[Acela150]

First ALC unit shipped out this morning to Oakland for the NEC.

 

[Asher]

Amtrak]SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Siemens is putting the finishing touches on Amtrak’s first ALC-42 locomotive, with its departure scheduled for this weekend. The first locomotive, AMTK No. 300, will be hauled in the consist of Amtrak’s California Zephyr departing Emeryville on June 12, a source close to the railroad tells Trains News Wire. After arriving in Chicago on Monday the unit will be set out for a media even scheduled on Tuesday at Amtrak’s facility just south of downtown. The unit is then scheduled to continue east from Chicago on the Capitol Limited departing June 16.

 

[PerRock]

Hmmm do I want to drive to Toledo on the 16th...?

peter

 

[BCL]

Saw a few of the Amtrak California Chargers today. One was pulling Capitol Corridor while the other was in the Oakland yard.

 

[Way2Kewl]

Bright shiny #300 EMY>CHI making its way... just left Truckee

 

[frequentflyer]

Have to watch it on the Galesburg Cam on Monday

 

[jiml]

That's the cool paint scheme too.

 

[BCL]

Saw a few of the Amtrak California Chargers today. One was pulling Capitol Corridor while the other was in the Oakland yard.

Strike that. It was pulling a San Joaquin. I saw it leaving Emeryville, then parked at Jack London. I took a photo of it, and it was definitely pulling the single level cars that only the San Joaquins use around here.

 

[Agent]

Two videos of AMTK 300 leaving California on Amtrak #6(12) from yesterday. One by John's Junction Railroad Videos shows the Zephyr stopping at Martinez, California.




This one from Adam Ghimenti shows the train at its stop at Davis, California.

 

[Cal]

I actually like them more than I thought I would, they look great.