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

[Dutchrailnut]

ConnDOT has no money , not even to finish existing work so I doubt it.

 

[user 14106]

I have recently heard that ConnDOT wants to fund the electrification of the Springfield line. That would eliminate power mode change at New Haven.

Of course dual modes will still be useful to run the proposed Inland Route service between New York and Boston.

I’ve heard talk of that too - I suspect it will be well after the ICTs enter service so I’m sure we’ll get a few years of switching to diesel at NHV with them.

 

[GDRRiley]

ConnDOT has no money , not even to finish existing work so I doubt it.

fed money most likely

I’ve heard talk of that too - I suspect it will be well after the ICTs enter service so I’m sure we’ll get a few years of switching to diesel at NHV with them.

if they don't pull a caltrain they could have wires up pretty quick (and mattering on the environmental review needed)

 

[John819]

According to ConnDOT, they have federal funding for the project. They want to electrify ALL rail lines (passenger and freight) in CT.

 

[BlackDiamond]

I have recently heard that ConnDOT wants to fund the electrification of the Springfield line. That would eliminate power mode change at New Haven.

Of course dual modes will still be useful to run the proposed Inland Route service between New York and Boston.

Of course you would still need to change mode at Springfield for the Vermonter and the service to Northampton and Holyoke.

Perhaps if the Commonwealth of MA proceeds with its plans to beef up service to Springfield we might someday see electrification from Boston to Springfield, especially if the MBTA also decides to electrify the Worcester commuter service.

 

[user 14106]

Of course you would still need to change mode at Springfield for the Vermonter and the service to Northampton and Holyoke.

Perhaps if the Commonwealth of MA proceeds with its plans to beef up service to Springfield we might someday see electrification from Boston to Springfield, especially if the MBTA also decides to electrify the Worcester commuter service.

Exactly - even if they electrify to Springfield they'd still need to change to diesel at Springfield to go north and likely east when they eventually send service to Boston.

 

[John819]

I would expect that if we have expanded electrification it would start in the northeast and the mid-Atlantic regions.

 

[jis]

MODERATORS'S NOTE: A number of posts about the NEC High Speed Porject in NJ have been moved to a pre-existing thread on that subject since those have little to do with Siemens locomotives.

https://www.amtraktrains.com/threads/increasing-speed-limits-on-the-nec.81983/page-3#post-985097
Please post any further material on the NEC high speed infrastructure and related projects on that thread and reserve this thread for continuing discussion of Siemens Charger locomotives.

Thank you for your understanding, cooperation and participation.

 

[user 14106]

I wonder how the new engines are doing emissions wise which I know was one of the big goals. Hopefully they are achieving the desired decrease in GHG and particulate emissions. I know there are certain railfans who hate the new units and cheering every time one has an issue (and probably will hate whatever new rolling stock Amtrak orders and say they should have just rebuilt the Superliners) but I for one think the emissions reduction is a worthwhile goal.

 

[keelhauled]

I wonder how the new engines are doing emissions wise which I know was one of the big goals. Hopefully they are achieving the desired decrease in GHG and particulate emissions. I know there are certain railfans who hate the new units and cheering every time one has an issue (and probably will hate whatever new rolling stock Amtrak orders and say they should have just rebuilt the Superliners) but I for one think the emissions reduction is a worthwhile goal.

It's not really a spectrum on emissions engines, either the computer is happy or it shuts the engine down. The relevant metric for comparison is more like percentage of out of service units sidelined for aftertreatment faults.

 

[PVD]

There are limits placed on shell design based on whether it is monocoque or body on frame.

 

[Paniolo Man]

Based on past deliveries, shouldn't we be seeing a couple new chargers about now?

 

[Agent]

Amtrak #6(22) left Emeryville, California today with new ALC-42s 322 and 320. It was filmed leaving the Emeryville station this morning by trainandaviationspotter.



This eastbound California Zephyr was then later filmed by Sky Rider at Hercules.

 

[Septa9739]

Does that mean somethings wrong with 321?

 

[jiml]

Gotta love what appears to be duct tape on the front of 138.

 

[rickycourtney]

Gotta love what appears to be duct tape on the front of 138.

Just the kind of top notch maintenance we’ve come to expect from Amtrak! (Especially from the Chicago yard.)

 

[Touchdowntom9]

Just the kind of top notch maintenance we’ve come to expect from Amtrak! (Especially from the Chicago yard.)

Sorry but can you explain the Chicago Yard comment? Has that Amtrak team there been terrible in the past and if so what’s the assumed reason for that?

 

[Bob Dylan]

Sorry but can you explain the Chicago Yard comment? Has that Amtrak team there been terrible in the past and if so what’s the assumed reason for that?

There's a Long History of Less than Quality Maintainence by the Chicago Yards!

Google will give you many options to read up on what Amtrak is getting out of the Yard and Shops in the Windy City!

 

[ClintonAndrews]

I am not technically inclined when it comes to motive power, but I always wondered about what appears to be an open panel on each side of the engine. Would the weather not breach the key parts of the body?

In one of the news reports about Amtrak winter weather problems, the discussion turned to the Acela trainsets. These operate with a locomotive at both ends of the train. According to an Amtrak source, the lead locomotive kicks up such a cloud of snow that it is, in fact, sucked into the open area of the trailing locomotive, melts to water and shorts out components, rendering the trailing locomotive inoperative and slowing down the trainset.
In Michigan, the Wolverines (350-355) have been having mechanical issues: 11 hours late one day, 12 hours late the next. Many cancellations on 12/27 & 12/28. These locomotives are less than five years old. Siemens has some explaining to do.

 

[joelkfla]

n Michigan, the Wolverines (350-355) have been having mechanical issues: 11 hours late one day, 12 hours late the next. Many cancellations on 12/27 & 12/28. These locomotives are less than five years old. Siemens has some explaining to do.

To wit:

 

[TransitTyrant]

In one of the news reports about Amtrak winter weather problems, the discussion turned to the Acela trainsets. These operate with a locomotive at both ends of the train. According to an Amtrak source, the lead locomotive kicks up such a cloud of snow that it is, in fact, sucked into the open area of the trailing locomotive, melts to water and shorts out components, rendering the trailing locomotive inoperative and slowing down the trainset.
In Michigan, the Wolverines (350-355) have been having mechanical issues: 11 hours late one day, 12 hours late the next. Many cancellations on 12/27 & 12/28. These locomotives are less than five years old. Siemens has some explaining to do.

They do have an issue with sucking up snow, mainly because the air intake is underneath, in front of the rear axle. The state owned locomotives have much smaller dynamic brake resistors which short out easier. The oldest units are actually 7 years old and due for a quarter life overhaul starting this year. A number of fixes have supposedly been identified so hopefully that will be enough.

One issue that has come up multiple years in the yearly review by the NGEC has been lack of spare parts. The Siemens subcontractor issue has shown itself aswell with the Venture cars. Several of those subcontractors are rumored to be out of business thanks to the pandemic too.

 

[jis]

https://www.trains.com/trn/news-rev...dF5F-K9A4EPkNNAQWLKk0-oNucZQA&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

 

[user 14106]

https://www.trains.com/trn/news-rev...dF5F-K9A4EPkNNAQWLKk0-oNucZQA&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

Hopefully Siemens is serious - obviously a lot riding on the new units.

 

[Paniolo Man]

Seems like deliveries are on hold, would this have something to do with the issues they've been having?

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Seems like deliveries are on hold, would this have something to do with the issues they've been having?

Perhaps, plus all the rain CA got last month may have slowed things down.