AMTRAK has ordered an additional 50 Charger diesel-electric locomotives from Siemens Mobility, following an order for 75 locomotives placed in 2018.
The full contract is worth up to $US 2bn, including the original $US 850m contract, and includes manufacture of the locomotives as well as long term servicing support, technical support, spare parts, and materials supply.
Siemens says the 200km/h Charger is the most energy-efficient Tier 4 passenger locomotive in the industry, and reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by more than 89% and particulate matter by 95%, while consuming less fuel than the locomotives they will be replacing
The new locomotives are designated as ALC-42 for “Amtrak Long-distance Charger, 4200 horsepower” (3MW). They will primarily replace Amtrak P40 and P42 diesel-electric locomotives, which have a lower top speed and entered service under different emissions regulations 30 years ago. The first of ALC-42 entered service in February 2022 on the Empire Builder service from Chicago to Seattle and Portland and will next be deployed on the City of New Orleans, running between its namesake city and Chicago.
The ALC-42 locomotives are being manufactured at Siemens Mobility’s North American rail manufacturing facility in Sacramento, California, and comply with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Buy America regulations. Cummins will manufacture the Tier 4-complaint diesel engines in Seymour, Indiana.
“We’re dedicated to continuously seeking new and innovative technologies that provide solutions to meet transport needs while reducing health and climate impacts,“ says Amtrak vice president and chief mechanical officer, Mr George Hull. “We are focused on being the solution to get people out of cars and planes and onto rail for greater emissions reductions.”
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