• ALC-42E Acquisition and Planned Operation

  • 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

  by ST Saint
 
Gilbert B Norman wrote: Tue Feb 20, 2024 7:49 am From Hilton Suites Boca Raton--

I must wonder why Brightline did not order cab cars such as Siemens built for OBB and CD.with their RailJet sets.

It just seems as if with Brightline that two SC-44 engines and from what I've observed, both engines operate (of course as others here who have taken a Brightline joyride have surely noted, their stations are "not exactly" railfan friendly).

Possibly FEC required Brightline to have two engines on each set and perhaps Brightline envisions expanded consists, but failing either, Brightline sets appear way overpowered.
I believe the plan is to expand to five car trains then go all the way to 10 car trains. (Locomotives do better in grade crossing incidents at that...)

Remaining on topic - I'm still really curious to see if WSDOT will get ALC-42Es, more of a standard ALC-42 in WSDOT livery, or SC-44s matching the current get up. I haven't dug up anything concrete yet.
  by Nasadowsk
 
Gilbert B Norman wrote: Tue Feb 20, 2024 7:49 am Possibly FEC required Brightline to have two engines on each set and perhaps Brightline envisions expanded consists, but failing either, Brightline sets appear way overpowered.
Roughly 7500 or so for a 6-8 car train? That’s not much better than NJT, albeit with lighter equipment.

About the only locomotive hauled train in the US I’ve ridden in recent years that had respectable performance was a Keystone from HBG to NYC. And that was only 6 cars, but 8600 hp.

Do you want ridership or nice photo ops? If it’s my tax dollars, I know what I want, and nobody cares how cool a train looks, if it takes forever and a day to get them there…
  by Gilbert B Norman
 
From Hilton Suites Boca Raton---

Well, my "not a joyride" journey down to Miami in Coach was perfectly adequate in all respects.. I bought transportation, and Brightline delivered.

Thursday to McCoy and back will be a joyride.
  by SRich
 
Logical the WSDOT Chargers are the standard version, with out the DC link and alternator start equipment. But the real question is, will the Chargers be a longdistance ALC-42 or the commuter SC-44 version.

The WSDOT Chargers (SC-44) are leased to Amtrak, i wonder if the 2 new chargers will be Amtrak owned or WSDOT.
  by RandallW
 
I don't think the WSDOT Chargers are leased to Amtrak, I think they are operated by Amtrak on behalf of WSDOT (as the Horizon cars in Cascades service are leased from Amtrak by WSDOT--it would be absurd to lease a thing from the person you are leasing that thing to). It seems that about a year before the ICT order was announced that WSDOT got a ~$75M grant to purchase rail cars for the Cascades service, but I can't find word one way or the other how that money is being spent (I imagine that if WSDOT already has 8 SC-44s and is getting 8 Venture trainsets, they would use the existing engines unless WSDOT wants those engines to be under the same maintenance plan the Venture cars are and can't do that without new engines).
  by RandallW
 
WSDOT's website reads like Amtrak isn't leasing. 🤷

The WSDOT 2019-2040 rail plan indicates that they need 3 more locomotives to completely cover the Cascades service without relying on Amtrak's national fleet to fill in, so maybe the Cascades ICTs will use a mixture of SC-44s and ALC-42Es?
  by RandallW
 
I found that per a NGEC Feb 2024 briefing, WSDOT is leasing its locomotives to Amtrak and that the Airo trains for the Cascades will be used with both the existing WSDOT fleet and two new Chargers (no word if that means more SC44s or ALC42(E)s).
  by daybeers
 
Which routes have yet to see the ALC-42s in revenue service? Any thoughts on full implementation? I know #355 and #360 were picked up recently.

At this point, there are likely surplus P42s; is Amtrak set to scrap or sell some? I hope the ones in better shape will help the other services.

Will Amtrak keep any around after the Airos are finished delivery?
  by west point
 
Any surplus P-42s should be parked at strategic locations on the NEC from WASH - Newark to rescue any trains stranded because of the next CAT failure.
  by STrRedWolf
 
west point wrote: Wed Jul 24, 2024 2:22 am Any surplus P-42s should be parked at strategic locations on the NEC from WASH - Newark to rescue any trains stranded because of the next CAT failure.
Good idea there, including maintenance of way shops. They already do that in Odenton with MARC 68, and yes, it's been in service rescuing trains of all types and pulling passenger consists for MARC and Amtrak.
  by Railjunkie
 
daybeers wrote: Tue Jul 23, 2024 10:41 pm Which routes have yet to see the ALC-42s in revenue service? Any thoughts on full implementation? I know #355 and #360 were picked up recently.

At this point, there are likely surplus P42s; is Amtrak set to scrap or sell some? I hope the ones in better shape will help the other services.

Will Amtrak keep any around after the Airos are finished delivery?
The LSL has yet to see a Charger in the consist although one did show up for training in Rennselaer last weekend. A quick walk through and I'm not impressed, I'm actually confused. I've been told by a couple of engineers who have ample stick time "they are not that good." As for the P42s the shop is still rebuilding wreck damaged units on a daily basis, plus general maintenance. Amtrak likes what Rennselaer does with the 42s and will continue to ship them here for repairs/rebuilds.
  by CNJGeep
 
daybeers wrote: Wed Jul 24, 2024 2:01 pm AFAIK, the CZ, SWC, and CS have also yet to see them.
They are regular power on the Coast Starlight and did run on the Zephyr periodically when introduced to service. Don't think they've run on the Chief yet.
  by superbad
 
I think the 42s are gonna be hanging around for a while especially with all the new proposed routes in the Midwest.