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

[user 14106]

Chargers running on 53 today. For today’s test the Chargers are leading and doing all the work with the P40s dead in tow. For the first test they were sandwiched between the two P40s. Pacific Bend is again in the consist with the Siemens techs along for the ride.

 

[daybeers]

Which routes have yet to see the ALC-42s in revenue service? Any thoughts on full implementation?

At this point, there are likely surplus P42s; is Amtrak set to scrap or sell some? I hope the ones in better shape will help the other services.

Will Amtrak keep any around after the Airos are finished delivery?

 

[jiml]

At this point, there are likely surplus P42s; is Amtrak set to scrap or sell some? I hope the ones in better shape will help the other services.

Some rebuilt ex-Amtrak P40s have already made it to northern Manitoba and are used in mixed freight/passenger service (not VIA).

 

[Agent]

AMTK 355 and 360 were picked from the Siemens factory today and taken to Oakland, California. Sky Rider caught this move at Hercules.

 

[highfalutin]

I'm on train 6 today, and it's pulling 2 shiny new locomotives, AMTK 355 and 360, from Emeryville to Chicago. According to the conductor, they'll continue on to Philadelphia, then to Amtrak's mechanical shops in Delaware.

 

[Agent]

I caught #6(17) with 355 and 360 running just over an hour late east of Ottumwa this morning.

 

[allanorn]

They manage 30 minute engine changes already. I don't think a two hour hold is insurmountable.

I thought for some reason there would be Chargers on the NEC that have a pantograph, so they wouldn't need to change the loco out at WAS. Maybe I've misread something or had my hopes up?

 

[west point]

The Chargers you are talking about are the proposed ALC-42Es along with a power car. Many years in the future. But they would not be required for the combined Star - Capitol train.

 

[MARC Rider]

I thought for some reason there would be Chargers on the NEC that have a pantograph, so they wouldn't need to change the loco out at WAS. Maybe I've misread something or had my hopes up?

I think you're confusing that with the future Airo trains that will be dual mode but will only be used for corridor service. They're being made by Siemens, but they're not Chargers, they're Airos, and they're a semi-permanently coupled trainset, not a locomotive. Or New Jersey Transit, which has some dual mode locomotives right now. Right now, anything that runs beyond the NEC has to change engines in either Washington or (for the Vermonter and Springfield trains) New Haven.

 

[allanorn]

I think you're confusing that with the future Airo trains that will be dual mode but will only be used for corridor service. They're being made by Siemens, but they're not Chargers, they're Airos, and they're a semi-permanently coupled trainset, not a locomotive. Or New Jersey Transit, which has some dual mode locomotives right now. Right now, anything that runs beyond the NEC has to change engines in either Washington or (for the Vermonter and Springfield trains) New Haven.

Thanks. It was the Airo I was thinking about, which is in the same family as the Charger... which is based off of the Vectron, which can be sold in Europe as a dual-mode diesel and pantograph loco.

 

[thefirewarde]

Thanks. It was the Airo I was thinking about, which is in the same family as the Charger... which is based off of the Vectron, which can be sold in Europe as a dual-mode diesel and pantograph loco.

But Amtrak is getting Diesel only Chargers (having one standard platform does make some sense) but they'll be able to accept traction power from behind - an APV passenger car, a battery hybrid, or potentially other sources in future.

 

[Cal]

I thought for some reason there would be Chargers on the NEC that have a pantograph, so they wouldn't need to change the loco out at WAS. Maybe I've misread something or had my hopes up?

The point wasn't about the engine change. It was about blocking the platform. The OP was saying that WAS handles engine changes that block that track for 30 minutes already, several times a day. Therefore, a two hour usage of a platform is not that much longer for just twice a day.

 

[TransitTyrant]

Long distance Chargers are finding their ways onto state supported trains now. This is the second time an ALC has been on the Borealis.

 

[TransitTyrant]

Long distance Chargers are finding their ways onto state supported trains now. This is the second time an ALC has been on the Borealis.View attachment 37489

 

[JuniusLivonius]

Extra 848 requested testing up to New York from Penn Coach Yard. Passed by Cornwells Heights at 8:46PM. Looked like a Charger-ACS64 or Charger-Charger with one or two Amfleets.

 

[Fenu S]

A friend shared with me that a Midwest Charger got a new nose. Not sure if it's been posted before.

 

[Paniolo Man]

They are hitting state-supported services, but still not on the Zephyr

 

[Amtrak25]

Borealis is a state-supported service, but not one that can use Midwest consortium equipment.

 

[randomguy65]

Here's a better picture of IDTX 4626, courtesy of this Reddit post.

 

[Agent]

New ALC-42s AMTK 363 and 364 are on Amtrak #6(16). Adam Ghimenti filmed this California Zephyr at its stop in Davis, California.



It was also caught at Sparks, Nevada by Marcel Hall.

 

[Agent]

I caught 363 and 364 on the Zephyr this morning. #6 was running about an hour and twenty minutes late out of Ottumwa, Iowa.

 

[chadamfleetrailfan]

Yesterday, I saw that 301 (my favorite loco) was leading on #29 from DC to Chicago (which travels through the north part of Ohio).

I drove two hours up to Elyria to catch it stopping and passing through. I know that it's been pretty active over on the east coast over the past few weeks, but great to see it happening on these routes.


View attachment IMG_2502.mov

 

[JuniusLivonius]

Extra 879 with two diesels (Siemens Charger) and an Amfleet came out of Penn Coach Yard heading "towards Baltimore". Should have gone through Philadelphia - 30th Street by 8:20PM.

 

[Dutchrailnut]

amfleet or T16 the FRA geometry car (former metroliner 9642 ??

 

[TML]

Based on what I've read about the new Siemens Charger locomotives, it seems that the practice of changing between diesel and electric locomotives in places like Albany, New Haven, Philadelphia, and Washington DC will be eliminated for daytime trains but retained for night trains (i.e. Cardinal, Crescent, & Silver Service). Is my understanding of this situation accurate here?