Amtrak to replace P40s and P42s

[CastleScott]

Here's a story of Amtrak replacing some of their aging GE P40's and P42's with Siemens Charger's

Amtrak begins power renewal, orders 75 Siemens Chargers for long distance trains.

Amtrak will acquire 75 new Siemens Charger diesel locomotives for $850 million to replace aging power in its National Network locomotive fleet.

The initial order contract covers the Tier 4 locomotives and associated services, to be deployed principally on Amtrak’s Long Distance train services, with options to purchase more for use on some state-supported routes and for future growth.

“These new locomotives will offer increased reliability, more hauling power, improved safety features and lower emissions,” said Amtrak President and Chief Executive Richard Anderson.

“Siemens Mobility is honored and grateful for this opportunity to assist Amtrak in their mission to provide safe, world-class, environmentally-conscious technology for their long-distance services,” said Michael Cahill, president of Siemens Mobility’s North America rolling stock business.

The new locomotives generate 4,400-horsepower through a 16-cylinder Cummins QSK95 diesel engine, and are geared for a top speed of 125 mph. The Alternating Current electrical propulsion system is paired with the latest Tier 4 emissions technology, reducing nitrogen oxide by over 89% and particulate matter by 95%, and providing an average of 10% savings in diesel fuel consumption. The units will come equipped with Positive Train Control safety technology.



The Chargers are set to displace GE Transportation Genesis P40 and P42 locomotives on the Amtrak roster, some up to 25 years old. A total of 321 units were built for Amtrak, Metro-North Railroad, and VIA Rail of Canada.

Delivery will begin in summer 2021, with revenue passenger service beginning in fall 2021, powering the AutoTrain, California Zephyr, Capitol Limited, Cardinal, City of New Orleans, Coast Starlight, Crescent, Empire Builder, Lake Shore Limited, Palmetto, Silver Meteor, Silver Star, Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited, and Texas Eagle. All locomotives are expected to be in service by 2024.

Maintenance activities across the network will be supported by a supplemental multiyear Technical Support Spares Supply Agreement (TSSSA).

Amtrak said it is paying for the new locomotives through available funds and will comply with Buy American provisions. The fleet will be built at Siemens Mobility’s manufacturing plant in Sacramento, Calif.

Chargers are currently operating in several state-supported Amtrak routes in California, Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, Michigan, and Washington. A version of the Charger also is pulling trains for the former Brightline, now Virgin, the private operator in South Florida.

Amtrak, which has sparked recent criticism of downgrades to its long distance network, in the announcement noted that the Chargers “are part of Amtrak’s long-term planned series of improvements for fleet, infrastructure and stations. Other modern equipment includes new Acela trainsets arriving in 2021 and ongoing improvements continue at New York Penn Station and new construction at Moynihan Train Hall in New York, in addition to expanded development of the major stations at Chicago, Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Philadelphia.”


The GE-made Genesis diesels have been the workhorse power of Amtrak’s long distance trains for 25 years. Railway Age photo by Stuart Chirls

Categories: Commuter/Regional, Intercity, Locomotives, Mechanical, News, Passenger
Tags: Amtrak, Breaking News, GE Transportation, Siemens Charger, Siemens Mobility
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[Busy Bee]

Wondering if Amtrak and VIA do a joint procurement to use even bigger economy of scale.

Also, here's to hoping the new Amtrak Chargers get a custom from end styling, something, anything to give it a bit more sex appeal (like pre-production Siemens renderings promised...bait n' switch).

VIA's preliminary rendering for their new Chargers show a custom look that kind of draws from the ACS-64 IMO. I's take something very similar to this... also hoping Amtrak rebrands at some point into something more dramatic ala VIA:


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[CastleScott]

^ Tha't's a great idea Busy Bee and would save tax $$$ in both the US and Canada.

And btw the Siemens plant where they're being built is just across town in the ole Florin section of south Sacramento from me (at one time Florin was a farming community were they once grew corn, nut trees, hay, grapes and raised dairy cattle).

[The Chemist]

Originally Posted by Busy Bee

Wondering if Amtrak and VIA do a joint procurement to use even bigger economy of scale.

Also, here's to hoping the new Amtrak Chargers get a custom from end styling, something, anything to give it a bit more sex appeal (like pre-production Siemens renderings promised...bait n' switch).

VIA's preliminary rendering for their new Chargers show a custom look that kind of draws from the ACS-64 IMO. I's take something very similar to this... also hoping Amtrak rebrands at some point into something more dramatic ala VIA:


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I like the colour scheme, and I also like how they matched the control cab on the other end with the design of the locomotive to give the train a symmetrical look. But man, that's a short intercity train - only 3 passenger cars?

[Busy Bee]

^The graphic showing such a short trainset I think is just for display purposes. I'm sure in reality those trains have at least 6-8 coaches.

[k1052]

Seems like the only logical choice at this point for Amtrak. They're comfortable with the Chargers and the F125s have too many issues to be a realistic option.

I am groaning internally though at the prospect Metra is could be buying a ton of old P42s in the not distant future. Hopefully the state passes a capital bill and we can at least get them repowered with Tier 3 or 4 prime movers.