Empire Builder to Get First Chargers

Amtrak plans to place its new ALC-42 Charger locomotives into regular revenue service on the Empire Builder in the coming months.

Railfan & Railroad magazine reported on its website that the Chargers are being moved to the route so that operating crews can become familiar with them.

Amtrak plans to eventually use the ALC-42 to replace the P42DC locomotives that have been national network mainstays since the 1990s.

The magazine said Amtrak has been placing a Charger in the various crew bases for the Empire Builder as part of the familiarity process.

Initially, the report said, Amtrak plans to par ALC-42 units with P42s in revenue service.

No date has been set for the first revenue service run of an ALC-42. Amtrak thus far has taken delivery of five ALC-42 units and expects to receive two more in February.

Eventually, Amtrak will operate 75 of the units, which are being assembled in Sacramento, California.

The report can be read at https://railfan.com/amtraks-new-chargers-will-debut-on-empire-builder/

Tags: Amtrak, Amtrak ALC-42, Amtrak Charger locomotives, Amtrak locomotives, Amtrak motive power, Amtrak's Empire Builder, Siemens Charger locomotives