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

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Airo is relevant because an APV derived solution is IMO the most likely way to get dual mode diesel + electric Long Distance equipment.

If the APVs work out on Airo, when Amtrak expands the Single Level LD fleet they're likely to ask about adding dual mode capability. It's relevant on the Cardinal, Crescent, Meteor, Star, and if they already have the technology in service, why not use it and get an order of Airo 2 long distance coach equipment? Then you add in the Lake Shore Limited and etc if the NYC-Albany project eventually gets started, etc. By the time Amtrak is ready to order new single level LD equipment they'll know if Airo was a good idea or not.
 
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.
NJ Transit's dual mode locomotives are called ALP45DPs.
 
With Genesis locos being repainted, when will all of the Siemens orders be on the property?
The remaining ALC-42s will probably take 2-3 years to be fully delivered. After about four-ish years, we're about to see the delivery of the first 75. But there's also the Airo sets coming in which will take more time. Good thing that second facility in Lexington will be in operation soon.
 
Yesterday, Amtrak #5(10) left with a Charger apparently in service (lights were on at least) in between two Genesis engines. This is the first ALC to go west on #5 since mid last year, if I remember right.
 

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To update on the Zephyr Charger; the unit, AMTK 341, did not stay with #5(10). I read it was dropped off at Lincoln, Nebraska. #5(12) evidently picked it up last night as Marne_KJ-80701 caught it at Fort Morgan, Colorado this morning.

 
Did they wye it in the middle of nowhere or?
It was facing the same direction on both trains, so I see no indication that 341 was wyed.

What I have seen is that 341 was dropped off again, as it was spotted sitting at Denver Union Station yesterday.

 
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