Railworks America

I just spotted this on Amtrak's facebook page. What do you think? I like them, but it maybe also time to start making replacements to the Amfleet as well.

Strange mixture of US and Euro technology, both inside and out.
AAR pneumatic brake controller in the cab. Who supplied the in-cab electronics which are specific to the NEC?

Clear to me that this (Taurus?) clone was not designed with the USA market in mind. Look at that coupler lever and those handgrabs fitted to the front.
ASEA/GM did a better job with the AEM7 designwise IMO.

Hopefully these new locos will serve Amtrak well and haul lots of passengers without failure.

So there is also need to replace the Amfleet with something more modern?

_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha wrote:Who supplied the in-cab electronics which are specific to the NEC?

According to a story on Boston.com:

"As a condition of the Department of Transportation loan, the majority of the products and materials used to build the locomotives must be made in the U.S. As a result, some lighting parts are coming from Connecticut, the driver’s seat from Wisconsin, insulation from Indiana, electronics from Texas and hydraulic parts from California. In all, 70 suppliers in 23 states are providing components, Siemens said."

Doesn't say WHO the Texas electronics supplier is, but...

Just my

M.

Looks good, but how well will it stand up to the rigors of rwr? Siemens has a good track record. LOL. Sure wish I could get a ride in the cab of one. Heck, I just wish I could get a ride in the cab of any locomotive...

Holy crap! I'm the reason the train brake looks like that!!!!!! I can't believe they did that! I sent an email to Siemans about the train brake looking like the throttle. I suggested one like in most GE engines. They said it was a good idea. Because then they thought for most engineers, the train brake would be easier to grip. They sent me an email and said I, out of many people that said the same thing, was the deciding email. I think there's a considerable amount o people to suggest something.

Amtrak is getting a lot of press with her new locomotive.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/amtr ... -19165929A
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/14/us/am ... .html?_r=0
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle ... story.html
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-1 ... heast.html
http://www.wired.com/autopia/2013/05/ne ... comotives/
http://www.fresnobee.com/2013/05/13/329 ... tives.html
http://www.boston.com/businessupdates/2 ... story.html
http://www.fortmilltimes.com/2013/05/13 ... ology.html
http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/sing ... 3/mai.html
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/a ... mer--36177

now lookinf for some more technical info in Siemens' USA web pages.

Some info on the locomotives themselves:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amtrak_Cities_Sprinter

Rather short distance between the trucks IMO, is that because of the mentioned "crumple zones" and US pilot and couplers adding a extra feet or two to the body?
There must be adequate rotational dampers and lateral shock absorbers fitted to the trucks to present the locomotives from 'nosing' due to those long overhangs at each end.
Just learned from an article Amtrak's SDP40F were prone to derailments not because of their own, but because the lighter (empty baggage/mail/express) head end cars they pulled got into sideways oscillation, eventually rocking the loco's rear trucks off the tracks.
Amtrak will be testing her new additions at that Pueblo, Co. test facility quite thoroughly in many aspects.
Have the ACS-64 already been FRA certified, or will they be only after passing tests and exams in Pueblo?

I have to say. IMHO, I can't stand it. It looks way to Euro to be run in the US. Sadly, our desil-electric freight locomotives, will one day in the future look like this. Please don't anyone get mad at me. This is just how I feel about it.

5292nate wrote:I have to say. IMHO, I can't stand it. It looks way to Euro to be run in the US. Sadly, our desil-electric freight locomotives, will one day in the future look like this. Please don't anyone get mad at me. This is just how I feel about it.

I for one agree with you totally. Just another boondoggle by the government subsidized authority. We will hope the evil money making companies have better sense.

5292nate wrote:I have to say. IMHO, I can't stand it. It looks way to Euro to be run in the US. Sadly, our desil-electric freight locomotives, will one day in the future look like this. Please don't anyone get mad at me. This is just how I feel about it.

I sort of agree, the new locos look small and fragile in those wide angle promotion shots.
They are however proven and tested on many Euro railways, so technique and reliablity should be of no concern. They are about 15 tons heavier than their Euro counterparts, it only remains to be seen how well they fare on the NEC. Bullet proof windscreens, pilots capable of sweeping large pieces of junk from the tracks, all those HEP sockets, do make them look 'NEC'.

I think US companies are lacking the experience to provide these high performance, high speed, high efficiency electric locomotives. Since there is no high speed passenger market outside the NEC and the operators only need new motive power every 20-30 years. Also, there is a long list of ambitious attempts that resulted in failure or had high maintenance and operating costs with EMU's over the last 50 years.

GE didn't fare too well with their 'Battleship', E60, while GM couldn't even compete when the PRR GG1 and E44 and New Haven's E/P 3/4/5 etc were needing replacement. ASEA provided the expertise with the AEM7 to replace old PRR/NH electic stock.

However, a passenger train is not a locomotive alone. Comfortable, efficient and safe passenger cars are needed to attract and sustain ridership. It will be interesting to see who Amtrak turns to for new passenger cars for the NEC.

As much as I am going to miss the tosaters, this will be a nice upgrade.

Has the Genesis fleet seen it's better days already?

5292nate wrote:Has the Genesis fleet seen it's better days already?

Don't expect to see those going away for a while. I think Amtrak has its sights on other things right now. The Genesis series isn't that bad and if Amtrak could take better care of them they'd last a lot longer. I think they've got another 7-10 in them, at least I hope so. Whatever comes next could be ugly, I love the way the Genesis looks.

IMHO the new locomotives look better that the renderings that are on the front cover of the latest revision of Amtrak's fleet strategy. It's an interesting read: http://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/36/921/2012 ... -29-12.pdf

This engine looks plastic and the lights look painted on! Let's see of RSC does anything with this...

Sounds like these units have a third-generation K5LA. I guess Amtrak is finally done with the Hybrid K5LA's. I guess this will add horn variety to the NEC though.