Amtrak Siemens Charger locomotive (SC44, ALC42, ALC42E)

[chadamfleetrailfan]

New ALC-42s 333 and 337 are now heading east on Amtrak #6(10). Sky Rider filmed this California Zephyr eastbound at Hercules, California.

I have a feeling they won't stay on them heading back to CA (watch me be proved wrong though). It looks like they're just deadheading to Chicago.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

I have a feeling they won't stay on them heading back to CA (watch me be proved wrong though). It looks like they're just deadheading to Chicago.

They are deadheading to Wilm DE. Once they reach Chicago they’ll be put on the Capitol Limited to DC. Then at some point, usually at night, they’ll deadhead to the Wilm shops for some modifications and then testing.

 

[tgstubbs1]

They are deadheading to Wilm DE. Once they reach Chicago they’ll be put on the Capitol Limited to DC. Then at some point, usually at night, they’ll deadhead to the Wilm shops for some modifications and then testing.

They're almost new aren't they? I wonder what kind of modifications they do on them.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

They're almost new aren't they? I wonder what kind of modifications they do on them.

They are brand new out of the factory. But Amtrak has some modifications they do here in Delaware. I think one thing is the PTC system that is used on the east coast.

 

[Agent]

I caught 333 and 337 as #6(10) made a six-hour-late stop at the Ottumwa, Iowa station today.

 

[chadamfleetrailfan]

It looks like some more chargers being delivered to Chicago?

 

[AmtrakBlue]

It looks like some more chargers being delivered to Chicago?

Ultimate destination is Wilmington DE

 

[jiml]

I caught 333 and 337 as #6(10) made a six-hour-late stop at the Ottumwa, Iowa station today.

View attachment 33586


View attachment 33587

I may be in the minority but think that is one of the best paint jobs in Amtrak's history.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

I may be in the minority but think that is one of the best paint jobs in Amtrak's history.

I like it. But then I do like blue, so....

 

[Agent]

Two more new Chargers are deadheading on the eastbound California Zephyr. Sky Rider caught Amtrak #6(26) with AMTK 338 and 339 today at Crockett, California.

 

[chadamfleetrailfan]

From various railcams and a few people out railfanning today, I saw that there was a charger leading on #89 today (8/28). It was cool to see a charger lead on that line.

 

[jis]

From various railcams and a few people out railfanning today, I saw that there was a charger leading on #89 today (8/28). It was cool to see a charger lead on that line.

It had gone to Savannah for crew familiarization on the route.

 

[Agent]

#6(26) with 338 and 339 came through at the last wisps of twilight after departing Ottumwa, Iowa just over eight hours late this evening. "Mechanical issues" were listed as the issue on an earlier Amtrak Alert. Didn't help that #6 had to wait at a crossover west of Ottumwa for a late #5 for about twenty minutes.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

It had gone to Savannah for crew familiarization on the route.

And returned leading 90(28). And a Charger was in the lead for 89(28).

 

[CSXfoamer1997]

The ALC-42's are already making their way to my territory on the East Coast! I wonder how the engineers like running them compared to the Genesis?

 

[Agent]

New ALC-42s AMTK 340 and 342 have been released and are now heading east on Amtrak #6(08). Sky Rider caught this California Zephyr today.



Golden State Railfan also filmed it today at Davis, California.

 

[Agent]

I caught Amtrak #6(08) with 340 and 342 running just over two hours late out of Ottumwa, Iowa.

 

[chadamfleetrailfan]

Great catches with the chargers there @Agent! The chargers heading to Chicago is great to see!

 

[Acela150]

The ALC-42's are already making their way to my territory on the East Coast! I wonder how the engineers like running them compared to the Genesis?

They’re not popular.

 

[Thirdrail7]

They’re not popular.

Change is often unpopular.

 

[jis]

Change is often unpopular.

True. It is normal cycle. When something new comes they are usually unpopular. Unfamiliar is an inconvenience because until you get used to them they are uncomfortable. But once you are used to it then when the next thing comes around, the same cycle unfolds.

 

[lordsigma]

Absolutely. On my line up here (Springfield line) I have on more than one occasion overheard crews saying things like "These GEs need to be retired." But I'm sure when the Siemens equipment comes they will hate it at first initially and pine for the GEs. It happens in my industry (IT) all the time as well with new software, operating systems, etc. Many of us often times hate the new stuff and pine for the old days but eventually you have to adapt or risk being left behind because in most cases the technology is not going to go in reverse so you can adapt or become obsolete.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Absolutely. On my line up here (Springfield line) I have on more than one occasion overheard crews saying things like "These GEs need to be retired." But I'm sure when the Siemens equipment comes they will hate it at first initially and pine for the GEs. It happens in my industry (IT) all the time as well with new software, operating systems, etc. Many of us often times hate the new stuff and pine for the old days but eventually you have to adapt or risk being left behind because in most cases the technology is not going to go in reverse so you can adapt or become obsolete.

I chose obsolete (app developer)…hey, I was ready to retire.

 

[lordsigma]

I chose obsolete (app developer)…hey, I was ready to retire.

My day will surely come eventually as well when I get fed up and decide no more change for me. Network engineer.

 

[Acela150]

Change is often unpopular.

I definitely agree with you. Especially on the RR. I need to give something a chance before I give it my two cents.