joelkfla
Conductor
In fact, he broke the trip into 2 segments, and got an ALC-42 on both trains, while he noted that neither westbound train that he passed had one.
Help Support Amtrak Unlimited Discussion Forum:
For all EB runs to have ALC42s I suppose there have to be at least 10 or 12 ALC42s in circulation. So not surprising that he saw a few without ALC42s.
Amtrak has exercised 50 options for more ALC-42s
www.railwayage.com
For Amtrak, 50 More Siemens ALC-42s - Railway Age
Amtrak has exercised an option with Siemens Mobility for an additional 50 ALC-42 (“Amtrak Long-Distance Charger, 4,200 HP”) diesel-electric locomotives, bringing the total contract value to $2 billion, including supplemental multiyear maintenance support. The amount also includes about $850...
www.railwayage.com
How much will that bring the total up to?Amtrak has exercised 50 options for more ALC-42s
For Amtrak, 50 More Siemens ALC-42s - Railway Age
Amtrak has exercised an option with Siemens Mobility for an additional 50 ALC-42 (“Amtrak Long-Distance Charger, 4,200 HP”) diesel-electric locomotives, bringing the total contract value to $2 billion, including supplemental multiyear maintenance support. The amount also includes about $850...
KnightRail
Lead Service Attendant
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2015
- Messages
- 493
Bob Johnston of Trains dot com on February 8, 2022 reported the ordering of the additional 50 units so either someone spoke out of turn back in February or everyone has been under a rock for the past four plus months.
The state units are SC-44s
IIRC he said that exercise of the options was imminent, and the actual option exercise and actual placement of the order happened more recently.
But to be sure I will ask him when I talk to him next within the next few days.
So, does everybody feel better about Amtrak's commitment to the long distance network?
Ryan
Court Jester
Casual observers have no idea what the locomotives are other than perhaps "that one looks new".
If the Siemens techs and Amtrak maintenance can get the Chargers and Sprinters to not break down nearly every day (look at the NECAlerts account), I would say yes.
CCC1007
Customer Service Agent
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2015
- Messages
- 1,846
It would be a good idea to remember that some of those p42’s were ordered to allow long trains of mail and express traffic to have up to 5 locomotives, depending on terrain and traffic.
125 (or 175 if the rest of the options get exercised) new locomotives should be enough for the LD network as it is today.
west point
Engineer
175 to cover incidents. That still leaves P-42s for new services. The ALC-42Es will probably work the NEC and thru routes onto non electrified routes.
The NEC through routes onto non-electrified routes will be serviced by the new Siemens Dual-mode intercity train sets. Unless the reference is to the Cardinal, Crescent, and the Silvers, which will continue to need diesel locomotives south of Washington.
west point
Engineer
Sorry did not clarify. As I read it the ALC-42Es will be used on regional trains to or thru Richmond and Roanoke. Regular diesels for LD trains. Carolinian ?? Maybe yes maybe no. Since NC is going to buy some venture cars will wait and see on that on.
rickycourtney
Conductor
Amtrak has purchased 125 ALC-42 locomotives for long-distance services, and they're purchasing 65 ALC-42E locomotives for use on Northeast Corridor services (with an option to buy 10 more). Plus, Amtrak Midwest, which previously used the national fleet of locomotives, purchased 33 SC-44 locomotives.
That's 223 locomotives, 233 if the option order is exercised.
The ALC-42E + Venture trainsets will be used on the Northeast Regional including the Virginia and Springfield services plus the Adirondack, Carolinian, Downeaster, Empire Service, Ethan Allen Express, Keystone Service, Maple Leaf, Palmetto, Pennsylvanian and Vermonter.
frequentflyer
Conductor
- Joined
- Jun 10, 2008
- Messages
- 1,017
Pretty sure the plan is to retire the P42s. After 30 years of hard service, and millions of miles of 80 mph running, the Genesis will go down in Amtrak history as one of the best locomotives they had, besting the famed F40s.
The ALCs not making much news is good since they are running on the EB and soon the City of New Orleans.
- Joined
- May 12, 2022
- Messages
- 2
As a regular Vermonter rider down the Connecticut River Valley: the arrival of the ALC-42E (to avoid the time-consuming engine swap at New Haven) cannot come soon enough.
When will they be deployed?
west point
Engineer
As they beccome available passing all acceptance points.
Note: As more ALC-42s come into service many of those first locos will point out problems. Amtrak will require those in service problems to be completely cleared in any ALC-42 that Siemens delivers to Amtrak for acceptance. Wilmington will be very hard on Siemens requiring Siemens to fix all these problems. Those items may slow more ALCs entering service.
Note: As more ALC-42s come into service many of those first locos will point out problems. Amtrak will require those in service problems to be completely cleared in any ALC-42 that Siemens delivers to Amtrak for acceptance. Wilmington will be very hard on Siemens requiring Siemens to fix all these problems. Those items may slow more ALCs entering service.
