Next Charger Era Begins Today on Amtrak

The Charger era on Amtrak’s long-distance network begins today.

Railfan & Railroad magazine reported on its website that two Siemens-built ALC-42 locomotives are slated to lead the westbound Empire Builder out of Chicago Union Station, making this the first revenue run for new passenger units.

Amtrak plans to replace P42DC locomotives with the ALC-42 Chargers, which are similar in design to the SC-44 Chargers that have been in service on Amtrak’s Midwest corridor routes for more than three years.

The Railfan & Railroad report said the lead unit on Train 7 will be “Day 1” heritage locomotive 301. The training unit will be No. 302.

One of the units will lead the Seattle section while the other will lead the Portland section west of Spokane, Washington.

The article can be read at https://railfan.com/amtraks-new-alc-42s-to-enter-service-today/

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