IDOT readying RFP for high(er) speed locomotives

[David Benton]

Wait a sec, the specification is to reach 125 mph with a single loco, or with a loco at each end of the train???

[F-line to Dudley via Park]

Wait a sec, the specification is to reach 125 mph with a single loco, or with a loco at each end of the train???

125 MPH on a single. It's a per-engine spec.

[DutchRailnut]

Don't worry EMD can't do it either, and ask any owner of current EMD passenger units how good EMD customer support is.

[afiggatt]

Wait a sec, the specification is to reach 125 mph with a single loco, or with a loco at each end of the train???

There are 3 performance specifications in section 9.2 of the locomotive spec: 1 locomotive + 3 cars + 1 cab (680,000 lb load); 1 locomotive + 4 cars + 1 cab (850,000 lbs); and then what EMD is basing its protest on: 2 locomotives + 8 cars.

In Attachment EE, Appendix G Service and Performance Simulations, a specific sequence is provided of station stops, dwell times at the RRT Loop at the test facility in Pueblo, CO for the offeror to provide their simulation results for trip times, speeds, acceleration and fuel consumption for the 3 configurations. I presume that the winner of the contract will then have to demonstrate they can meet those trip times and speeds at the test facility during the testing phase.

[David Benton]

Thanks for the info. Are they allowed to wait for a tailwind.

[Fan Railer]

Well, would you look at this:
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/caterp ... -184491630" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I would really like to see Illinois's response letter, to be honest.

[mtuandrew]

Well, would you look at this:
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/caterp ... -184491630" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I would really like to see Illinois's response letter, to be honest.

Fair-use quote (remember to add this to your post for copyright reasons):

Caterpillar Loses Locomotive Contract From Illinois
Caterpillar CAT +0.28% Inc. lost a major contract from its home state of Illinois to produce locomotives for high-speed passenger-rail service, dealing a blow to the company's plan to dominate the market for the next generation of passenger locomotives.

German industrial conglomerate Siemens AG and Indiana-based engine maker Cummins CMI +0.43% Inc. were awarded a $226 million contract to build 32 diesel locomotives designed to reach 125 miles per hour. The locomotives, which are being purchased with federal funds, will be delivered to five states including California and Illinois, that are developing high-speed intercity rail routes with Amtrak. They represent the first attempts in the U.S. at replicating the high-speed rail service common in Europe and Asia.

[Fan Railer]

It's been finalized, and it seems that EMD has lost the fight for now. They've also named the locomotive... "Charger." What do you think?
http://www.siemens.com/press/pool/de/pr ... 03009e.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Fair use quote:

The Departments of Transportation for the U.S. states of Illinois, California, Michigan, Missouri and Washington have awarded Siemens a contract for the delivery of 32 diesel-electric passenger locomotives. The contract is valued at approximately €165 million ($225 million). It includes a purchase option for another 225 locomotives which will be used for regional and mainline trains traveling at speeds of up to 200 km/h (125 mph). The 32 locomotives ordered are scheduled to be delivered between fall of 2016 and mid-2017. "For Siemens this order marks our entry into the U.S. diesel-electric locomotive market and strongly underscores our long-term vision for the U.S. passenger rail market", Jochen Eickholt, CEO of the Siemens Rail Systems Division, emphasized. The diesel-electric locomotives will be manufactured at the Siemens plant in Sacramento, California...

... The official Notice to Proceed has now been formally granted...

...The Charger locomotives will be used exclusively in passenger service. The primary traction drive, a 4,400 hp-rated diesel engine with 16 cylinders and a cubic capacity of 95 liters, will be manufactured in the U.S. by Cummins Inc., headquartered in Columbus, Indiana. These modern locomotives are powerful and efficient and will deliver a cleaner ride, with better air quality and reduced emission rates ensuring compliance with the Federal Railroad's EPA Tier IV regulation required to be in place in 2015...

...The contract includes 32 vehicles plus spare parts supply. In addition, there are options for an additional 75 locomotives for use in regional transportation and another 150 locomotives for mainline transportation.

The Charger locomotive reaches a tractive effort on starting of 290 kN with a weight of around 120 tons. The Cummins QSK95 diesel engine is 4,400 hp-rated. These U.S. locomotives are based technically on the Siemens Eurosprinter, Eurorunner and Vectron locomotive platforms which have been proven through several billion kilometers in both freight and passenger service. The components are procured and manufactured exclusively in the United States.

[David Benton]

hmmmm, no mention of 125 MPH.....

[Fan Railer]

hmmmm, no mention of 125 MPH.....

Not sure what you're reading, but there was most certainly a mention of 125 mph...

[David Benton]

oops, early morning, looking after 2 babies. it certainly does.

[Fan Railer]

oops, early morning, looking after 2 babies. it certainly does.

haha we all miss stuff at times. my bane is usually 3am in the morning.

[Milwaukee_F40C]

They've also named the locomotive... "Charger." What do you think?

Eww.

[mtuandrew]

They've also named the locomotive... "Charger." What do you think?

Eww.

Does Dodge know? Or, for that matter, Walthers?

[David Benton]

I think most people's concept of a charger these days is something you plug into your phone.
Here's a aus/nz version.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 713471.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;