Amtrak Siemens Charger Locomotive (SC44, ALC42, ALC42E) (2Q 2024)

[jis]

From April 1, 2024 onward, please post comments discussing the Amtrak Siemens Charger Locomotives here. For previous posts regarding the Amtrak Siemens Charger Locomotives, please refer to this thread, which is currently locked:

https://www.amtraktrains.com/thread...lc42e-2015-1q-2024.65029/page-85#post-1037245

 

[JamesWhitcombRiley]

With #356 now delivered, what do folks think will happen when we reach #374, the end of the base order? Perhaps the dual modes?

 

[Dutchrailnut]

Amtrak (state of NY ) has not ordered dual modes yet. but base order is 125 already from original 75.

 

[jis]

With #356 now delivered, what do folks think will happen when we reach #374, the end of the base order? Perhaps the dual modes?

Amtrak will not order third rail dual mode for Empire Service. They have already ordered Battery dual mode Airo sets for that.

 

[PVD]

Amtrak will not order third rail dual mode for Empire Service. They have already ordered Battery dual mode Airo sets for that.

Sometimes people get confused since NY did order DMs for MNRR and CT and holds options for addt'l units for MNRR and LIRR but that is a totally different agency from NYS DOT.

 

[Dutchrailnut]

The equipment for Empire service will not be Amtrak, but NYDOT and they did not order Airo sets

 

[jis]

The equipment for Empire service will not be Amtrak, but NYDOT and they did not order Airo sets

I am afraid you are mistaken

Read the following article:

https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/intercity/first-look-amtrak-airo/

and then the following from Amtrak which clearly states Airos will be used on Empire Service:

https://media.amtrak.com/2023/08/more-amtrak-airo-trainsets-ordered-to-meet-surging-demand/

NYDOT is not buying anything for Empire Service. They will be leasing equipment from Amtrak just like they do now.

 

[user 14106]

One source of confusion is the New York order did include options for Amtrak but ultimately they will not be exercising them given the different direction Amtrak went with the battery hybrid power.

 

[MARC Rider]

Amtrak will not order third rail dual mode for Empire Service. They have already ordered Battery dual mode Airo sets for that.

So how are they going to handle the Lake Shore Limited?

 

[jis]

So how are they going to handle the Lake Shore Limited?

Lake Shore Limited falls under the single level LD order that is yet to be addressed. We will have to see how that RFP goes. One possibility is to get third rail dual mode, a second possibility is to get catenary dual mode and the third is to get battery dual mode. We will have to wait and see. And when it happens it won't be an NYDOT order. It will be an Amtrak order.

The Empire Service will use Airos, and that is the point I was making.

 

[west point]

As long as the Airos have no problem in the future they are the way to get the most efficiency. We can see a few Empire trains to become Regionals to / from NYP by using the Airos. As well maybe in the distant future Amtrak may add CAT from NYP to Albany. Or at least CAT to beyond Spuyten CP. One less diesel route in NY.

 

[Amtrak25]

No. As now planned:

The Empire Corrior ones will have a battery car for NYC terminal operations, but otherwise diesel powered.

The NEC ones will be dual powered catenary and diesel.

Train set lengths will also differ.

There are no plans to extend catenary up the Manhattan West Side or Hudson Lines. Lower half Hudson line belongs to Metro North.

 

[Agent]

A ferry move brought AMTK 357 and AMTK 358 out of the factory in California Today. MobileRailSpotterRxR took a short video in Sacramento.



Sky Rider also took a video of move at Pinole.

 

[Agent]

357 and 358 have started toward Chicago deadheading on Amtrak #6(26). Sky Rider filmed this eastbound California Zephyr at Pinole, California.

 

[Agent]

I caught #6(26) this morning running half an hour late out of Ottumwa. 358 had its rear marker lights on.

 

[Agent]

Another Thursday ferry move out Siemens today. This time AMTK 359 and AMTK 361 are the new Chargers. Sky Rider caught them at Hercules, California.

 

[Agent]

359 and 361 made it onto Amtrak #6(21). This eastbound California Zephyr was filmed at Hercules, California by Sky Rider.

 

[Paniolo Man]

Caught #6 coming out of the Big Hole with 359 and 361 in tow. I hadn't checked this thread so I hiked from Donner Summit down to the tunnel with the hope of seeing something interesting on #6, I was not disappointed.

 

[user 14106]

Last night was a big night for the ALC-42s in the east also. Test run on the auto train.

 

[Paniolo Man]

Last night was a big night for the ALC-42s in the east also. Test run on the auto train.

And yet, 2 years ago I was told that the Zephyr would be the second route to receive them. Seems like they are everywhere but on CZ.

 

[west point]

With all the 25 hZ CAT problems so far this year a few ALC-42Es on some trains NYP <> WAS would have helped move their own trains and stranded trains.

 

[Dutchrailnut]

If wire is down nothing will get past it .

 

[west point]

If wire is down nothing will get past it .

Not necessary depending on where wire down is located on which tracks. Also if down wire is also connected to what is live wire. Also diesel power may be able to pass if all wire is cut off.

 

[jis]

Not necessary depending on where wire down is located on which tracks. Also if down wire is also connected to what is live wire. Also diesel power may be able to pass if all wire is cut off.

I read @Dutchrailnut statement to mean that no train will pass on the track on which the wire is down. They could pass by other tracks, and depending on how things are set up they may even pass under electric power. At least that is the general expectation in the way things are set up in India which is now 90+% electrified and there aren't enough idle diesel engines hanging around all over the country to expect entire set of tracks to get knocked out because wire came down on one track.

 

[Agent]

I caught AMTK 361 and 359 today as #6(21) made its station stop at Ottumwa, Iowa. The train was running about two and a half hours late.