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  • SC-44 Siemens Charger Locomotives

  • Discussion related to Amtrak also known as the National Railroad Passenger Corp.
Discussion related to Amtrak also known as the National Railroad Passenger Corp.

Moderators: GirlOnTheTrain, mtuandrew, Tadman

 #1441288  by STrRedWolf
 
ApproachMedium wrote:
electricron wrote:Is the mechanical isssue related to the alternator mounting, or drive chain or belt mounting, or something entirely different?
Locomotives dont have all that kinda stuff. It aint like the alternator in your car. its bolted to the crankshaft.
If I remember that episode of How It's Made (or was it How Do They Do That, it was on the Science Channel) correctly, the drive chain is:

Diesel Engine =(rotation)=> Main Generator =(electricity)=> Controller =(electricity)=> Prime Movers under engine car.

So from what has been describe so far, the main whippleflange has shaken loose, causing odd readings in the flux grammeter and oscillation of the fifth degree in schuphammer. While some technicians would want to use a retroencabulator to diagonise it, the problem is obvious and will require the production of a left-handed gimmelschtump to reattach properly. :)
 #1441319  by Tadman
 
As of recently, there are quite a few parked in Chicago and Seattle.
 #1441399  by ApproachMedium
 
David Benton wrote:I would have thought the 74 volt dc charging circuit was via a inverter off the main windings, rather than a seperate alternator or winding.
Exactly that, these modern AC Inverter drive engines just have one main 3 phase alternator, and the main engine is truly an AC 3 phase diesel generator at that. The propulsion control system runs the prime mover speed to give the amperage output it desires based on request for power and load from aux and HEP trainline. The PL42AC was one of the first units that used this type of system in passenger service in the US and i believe was the second unit in the US to be IGBT powered. The First IGBT locomotive, in the world, was the AEM-7AC Reman which the PL42 shares the same propulsion drive system.
 #1441610  by ngotwalt
 
Hiawatha Service departed Chicago today, SC-44 only locomotive and in the lead (there was an NPCU, it wasn't in push mode). CA should be in service in next five to ten days.
Nick
 #1441643  by byte
 
As of this writing, Lincoln Service train #304 has a Charger in the trailing position, behind P42DC #62 [didn't catch a number on the 46XX unit - too far away].If this consist has remained unchanged since its last visit at CHI, it left there at 9:25a yesterday as train #303 (which best I can figure, goes 303 -> 313 -> 314 -> 304). I've been told that cutting cars/locomotives out of the consist in STL is not routine, but does happen occasionally, which is how #4620 was apparently sent back in a hurry last Wednesday when the "recall" happened - down on 303 in the AM before the "send 'em back!" call when out, and was wyed stuck behind 304's leader once in STL.

Attendance at a recent public outreach concerning the CHI-STL HSR revealed that the only thing (officially, at least) keeping the Chargers from leading on this line at present is the lack of necessary cab signaling equipment.
 #1441645  by John_Perkowski
 
 #1442007  by Jeff Smith
 
Amtrak Press Release in Full (PR exception to fair-use):

https://media.amtrak.com/2017/08/new-lo ... s-midwest/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

August 28, 2017

Siemens Charger Units Unveiled with Amtrak Midwest Logo

CHICAGO – New locomotives are now serving Amtrak customers in Illinois and Wisconsin, with the U.S.-built, Midwest-powered, Amtrak-maintained units slated to operate on state-sponsored services in the region. These Siemens Charger locomotives will please customers with enhanced smoothness, speed capability and safety features – along with reduced exhaust emissions. They carry the new Amtrak MidwestSM logo to promote the five-state network of connecting trains with a robust reservations system, eTicketing and mobile apps; AmtrakConnectSM cellular-based Wi-Fi; and the Amtrak Guest Rewards® program.

After deliveries are completed, these 33 locomotives will be deployed from Chicago on trains that served more than 2.6 million Amtrak customers in the last year: Lincoln Service, Illini/Saluki and Illinois Zephyr/Carl Sandburg to and from Downstate Illinois; Hiawatha Service in Illinois and Wisconsin; Wolverine Service/Blue Water/Pere Marquette to and from Michigan; and Missouri River Runner between Kansas City and St. Louis. The first Amtrak Midwest locomotive was unveiled at a news conference today at Chicago Union Station.

“Our individual Amtrak Midwest routes are made even stronger by being part of a network of connecting trains, stations, and reservation systems, which are a product of our state partners working together under the Amtrak umbrella,” said Michael Franke, Amtrak Senior Director – State Contracts. “These locomotives will power the Amtrak Midwest brand, bringing even better service to our customers.”

“We are proud to have led the effort to bring these attractive, modern locomotives to Illinois and our other state partners,” said Randy Blankenhorn, Illinois Transportation Secretary. “Passenger rail customers will benefit the most by enjoying a ride that’s more reliable and more comfortable as they travel between our state’s great communities, institutions and attractions.”

“We look forward to the improved efficiency and reliability that the Siemens Charger locomotives bring to intercity passenger rail services across the Midwest,” said David Simon, Director of the Bureau of Transit, Local Roads, Railroads, and Harbors at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
“This procurement with partnering Midwest states has shown we can work together for a common goal,” said Tim Hoeffner, Director, Michigan Department of Transportation Office of Rail. “In the coming weeks, Michigan will begin the replacement of older engines with brand new, high-tech locomotives operating on all of our passenger rail corridors, which will complement our 110-mph service.”

“Missouri is proud to be a partner welcoming safer, cleaner, faster and better locomotives to the Amtrak Midwest fleet,” said Michelle Teel, Multimodal Operations Director for the Missouri Department of Transportation. “Missouri River Runner passengers will benefit from improved performance when the locomotives go into operation soon between St. Louis and Kansas City.”

Manufactured by Siemens at its 1,000-person rail manufacturing hub in Sacramento, Calif., the new fleet offers numerous advantages, such as lower maintenance costs, reduced fuel consumption and quieter operation.

“We’re building these locomotives in California, for the U.S., bringing the latest technologies to life for riders,” said Armin Kick, Siemens Mobility Vice President for Locomotives. “These are among the nation’s cleanest locomotives and we’re proud to have not only worked closely with Amtrak and the state DOTs to bring these to the Midwest, but also our robust chain of suppliers from across the country.”

Powered by a Midwest-made 4,400 horsepower Cummins QSK95 diesel engine, the locomotives will be able to operate at speeds up to 125 mph, with faster acceleration and braking for better on-time reliability. They meet the latest safety regulations and feature better traction for improved performance.

They also are the first higher-speed passenger locomotives to meet the highest federal environmental standards, meaning a 90 percent reduction in emissions and a reduction in fuel consumption of up to 16% compared to the previous locomotives.

Purchased through $216.5 million in federal funds, the locomotives are just one part of a larger effort to improve passenger rail service in Illinois and the Midwest.
 #1442019  by F-line to Dudley via Park
 
gaspeamtrak wrote:Now if we can get some new cars for these engines to haul everything will be "great" :):):)
IDOT & Caltrans are way ahead of you on that one. Presenting. . .

The Non-Powered Coach Unit!!!
Image

Seats up to 78 passengers in perfect comfort in the gutted engine room, with reclining seats and in-seat entertainment screens. Not much of an outside view, however. :wink:
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