I know an Amtrak engineer. He told me the new Siemen's is a real winner. He is hopeful the entire Amtrak locomotive fleet will be this well designed piece of locomotive power.
Siemens is not a possesive or even a plural, it's just a German family name: _Ernst Werner Siemens (von Siemens from 1888; English: /ˈsiːm.ənz/ SEEM-ənz;[1] German: [ˈziːməns, -mɛns];[2] 13 December 1816 - 6 December 1892) was a German electrical engineer, inventor and industrialist. Siemens's name has been adopted as the SI unit of electrical conductance, the siemens. He founded the electrical and telecommunications conglomerate Siemens._
At some point, I am expecting MARC to wind up with ACS-64s of it's own because of the Brunswick and other noncaternary interchanges at DC Union Station and Baltimore Camden Yards.
The Brightline Chargers don’t usually operate at the same time. It’s usually one engine pulling/pushing the consist while the other is there to give HEP. When the consist gets longer (8 cars) they will start using both engines.
@@damnimloomin it bothered me that he said higher speed rail service when talking about brightline. As you said its 80 mph for them and thats really slow
@@adamknott7830 they are already testing high speed service to be fair I hope they’re able to resolve the level crossing issues along US 1 so they can go the top speed! But yeah 80 is how fast people go on the highway in Florida lol not that appealing on travel time.
@@damnimloomin they dont have a high enough class of rail either if im not mistaken. They built themselves into a max speed of 80 mph which i think makes me more made than the actual speed itself
@@adamknott7830Brightline bought the extra power for their latter phases of service. It's a 79 mph limit in the metro Miami area, or Miami to Palm Beach; a speed that's pushing it for how many people and grade crossings are in play. From Palm Beach to Cocoa, the restored dual track of the FEC is being set up for 110 mph, and the new track from Cocoa to Orlando is set for 125 mph. Their PPTs show a 150 mph design speed for the Tampa extension.
My favorite part of the chargers is how the original platform was properly adapted and modified for use in the US resulting in having a lot of the unique features that give American railroads its own character instead of just simply being a European export with a bell slapped onto it
I test all these locomotive variants at the manufacturing facility definitely the coolest feeling being the one of the first people to start the engine and drive these locomotives with the long lives they will have. It was awesome when 301 came to be the lead engine to take 313 and 314 eventually making their journey with 301,309,313 and 314. Great video I love seeing the appreciation people have for these vehicles!!
As a former passenger of a super liner pulled by one of these engines, it’s safe to say that the charger locomotive shows a ton of commitment to a great future for Amtrack!
Aesthetically, I like the VIA Rail SC-42 over the Amtrak ALC-42 as the VIA Rail one just looks sleeker and better looking IMO. Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder as most of these Siemens locomotives are good looking.
Quite frankly, at least from european view, north american rail isnt exactly a story of design hits - most of the equipment looks bulky at best. And thats not just the safety regulations - I feel like its just not an important point. The new brightline trains look way better though!
These Siemens locomotives are very pleasing to the eye, handsome and thoughtfully designed. It would good to see these on our Irish networks, both NIR and Irish Rail. We have some incredibly old GM locomotives still in service, they have outlived everyones expections, a great testimony to the company and their designers.
I definitely would be cool to see a railroad review of Metro North or Long Island rail road, Long Island being the busiest commuter rail in the country
I can't remember if he did Metra or not, but in theme with your suggestion I'd hope he does an in depth video on Metra given it's the third busiest commuter rail operator in the country. It'd be even cooler if he did Metra and South Shore Line together given that they (including Amtrak Midwest as well) serve as the primary commuter and extended commuter services for the Chicagoland metropolitan area. I also hope Metra gives up on it's stupid crusade to keep only EMD powered locomotices in it's fleet just because "it's used to working on them." This goes against their multiple claims to wanting to reduce harmful emissions and create a healthier environment for ridership. Given that we are set to replace all of our Nippon sharyo and bombardier Bilevel passenger cars with modern Alstom Coradia Multilevel passenger coaches, it would make a lot of sense to match them with well built, new dedicated passenger locomotives like the Siemens Charger. And yes, I'd miss the F40s, but man are they barely hanging on by a thread even with multiple rebuilds and fantastic maintenance. It's just time. Though I will admit that like most other state funded transit systems, funding is tight and margins are razor thin. So it's understandable. But frustrating.
When I first saw the charger locomotive I was absolutely despised the design, but overtime, this locomotive has proven to be my favorite Tier 4 locomotive
A good majority of operators went with the Siemens chargers. The only operator I know that didn't go with Siemens is Metrolink here in Southern California. Metrolink(and only Metrolink) purchased few EMD F125 locomotives leaving them the odd one out.
What I don’t understand is why many mid-distance and commuter railroad operators are purchasing long distance locomotives when it would be far more economical and efficient to operate multiple units on high-frequency shorter routes (intercity DMUs are a norm in many parts of the world). Perhaps Siemens should consider making hybrid multiple unit sets for regional operators based on the ALC design standard.
I mean, its a whole different beast, considering long DMUs have several smaller engines and are usually DEMUs rather than DMUs. And Siemens only has the Desiro series in that, and its not that good compared to the chargers. Stadler, CAF, Talgo and Alstom are far better choices for DMUs/EMUs/BMUs
Like most things wrong with American infrastructure, it comes down bad regulations. I'm 100% in favor of good regulations that improve safety, but we have a lot of regulations that are there just because that is how we've always done it, with no flexibility granted for new and improved technology.
@@truedarklander Agreed on the DMU front, but honestly, Siemens builds the best EMUs out there (though Stadler does come very close). Especially noteworthy are the regional Desiro HC, which is an absolute rocketship with a huge capacity and a design top speed of 200kph, as well as the Velaro high speed trains.
The issue is reguilations. Trains in the US must be beefy enough to take some damage in a crash. In Europe the thinking is different...focus all regulations to avoid crahes. So most light-weight DMUs / EMUS are impossible to certify for the American market, at least when they run on the same route as freight traffic. There is actually a German DMU operaring somewhere in the US but it is classified as light rail...in Europe it would be a typical train for a regional rail that has low utilistion.
My favorite Siemens Chargers were Brightline, VIA Rail and the Amtrak long-distance trains, I can’t wait to see Brightline along with Amtrak’s ALC-42 chargers that are coming soon in Florida!
I’m happy that metro north went with the sc42dm for dual-mode a variant of the siemens charger instead of a classic emd locomotive like the f125 that’s in service with metrolink.
I love the charger and this was a great overview of the many orders. Maybe I'm alone with this, but I find the battery/dual-mode versions super frustrating. Diesel + caternary makes sense for anything past NEC, but the battery really doesn't make so much sense especially if it's replacing third rail. I wish we'd just electrify more lines!
@@T_Hoog It’s just stupid of CSX and others NOT to electrify! And don’t say “the country is too big” or “They couldn’t run double-stack containers anymore “ because it’s BS. The Trans-Siberian in Russia is electrified (9288km/5771ml) and the Dedicated Freight Corridors in India are electrified corridors for double stack trains. European railways show also that it IS possible to run by green electricity ⚡️ Electric locomotives are able to provide reliable services for more than 50 years, if well maintained, with less inspections needed.
@@aoilpe Maintenance of OLE in remote areas is a problem, so are tunnel and bridge clearances. Electrification is better for passenger than freight; it's also prohibitively expensive for the length of rail line in the US
@@andrewreynolds4949 Electric locomotives are the best for high power in low speed operation ! Quite all diesel locomotives are diesel-electric ! Overhead rail in tunnels take less room than a normal catenary . Electrification is costly at first but save money at the end. Less maintenance for locomotives, possibility to run trains with “green energy”,less dead weight to transport (fuel) ,fewer engines needed for the same weight, recuperation breaks to generate power while breaking, service life easily over 50 years….! Just start somewhere! Switzerland is 99,1 percent electrified since the sixties beginning in the 1910’s. I remind you,some lines were electrified and dismantled since ! Start with the most important routes !
A little minor correction they are more eurosprinter. Yes Siemens Mobility has built Chargers on Vectron. But afterall Vectron/and the single Current variant Smartron started in 2010. The Vectron itself was based on both the EuroSprinter (electric) and EuroRunner (diesel)
At first, I wasn't feeling the SC. The more I see it in action, more I have started to like it. I live in Milwaukee and yesterday when I was coming out of the grocery store, the Empire Builder just so happened to come whizzing-by. It was a perfect-shot. I was able to see almost all of the train at the same time. It had an ALC-42 as the lead locomotive, but it also had two GE-P42DC locomotives behind it. It only had 10 maybe 15 cars at the most so I was kind-of confused as to why it needed all those locos. After looking it up I guess it's normal for the Empire Builder to have that many.
Shame Amtrak didn't order streamlined locomotives like Viarail. I think more people would be inclined to use the trains if they looked more modern. Alot of people see the antiquated Amfleets and freight-based engines and compare them to Europe and Asia's high speed rail.
The sprinter and charger are direct relations to the Siemens ES64U4. ÖBB called these "Taurus", and the one numbered 1216 050 (and later renumbered 1216 025) has the world speed record for electric locomotives at 357 km/h (222 mph) on 2006-09-02. (If you google it, I'd say the stylistic relation is pretty obvious.)
Interesting. I could see where the design is similar. Although the Taurus has a very interesting sound when accelerating. The ACS 64 doesn't sound like a saxophone playing a scale
@@AndrewTheRadarMan The sound is due to how the AC power gets generated and delivered to the motors, and Siemens engines from the early 2000s in particular developed this sound. The technology has become simpler and more efficient since, but at the cost of the wonderful sound. This even includes the Taurus; whilst the first two series play you some musical notes when accelerating, the third series, sharing the same bodyshell, doesn't.
@@paulwarner5395 I’ve not actually seen one in person. But I feel the same way. Trains shouldn’t sound like trucks. This is why I hate British trains so much lol
Interesting that Europea designed locos are taking over in USA passenger service. In the UK US designed and built locos have taken over the cargo market.
really? That means you guys have mostly Diesel operations? It would make sense most since European Loco makers have deprioritized Diesel a bit, in the US Diesel is still undisputed King in the freight market.
@@tzarcoal1018 Many UK passenger lines are electrified, but not so many of the lines that carry freight, especially branches, so diesel is used more for freight.
I had the pleasure of taking the empire builder with ALC 42 #300, the very first one delivered, about a month ago. It was beautiful in person and definitely noticably quieter than the adjoining Genesis
I like the look of the ALCs over the SCs, but the ditch lights aren’t synced at all (unless it’s the typical camera shutter speed not matching the LEDs). Y’all can see it in videos of the ALCs.
I loved the fact that CT rail will actually get chargers as well but what will they be classified as will they actually retired the p-40s and the gp40s and replace them because I'm starting to think that the p-40s and gp40s are just temporary unless if CT rail is planning to use all three locomotives which I doubt because the other two don't comply to tier 4 emission standards. Do you know if CT rail will purchase Venture coaches and cab cars as well or will they keep the mbbs that were given by MBTA and Mafersas from Virginia Railway Express
I wonder, with all the experience with the Cahrgers in the nord american market, will Siemens maybe one day build a freight engine too? And try to attack EMD and GE in their main market.
I don´t how how different conditions for passanger and freight trains are in America but here in Europe they serve both pretty well. Taurus locos (Vectron predecesors) were primary developed for freight train.
@@petrfedor1851 In the US freight trains are much longer and heavier than in Europe! Siemens has to create completely new engines. They can't use their existing European models for that.
North American freight locos are absolute monsters compared to anything out of Europe due to the extreme length of trains in the US and Canada. Heavy haul locos in the US run 6000hp without the need to divert power for HEP, and they run 3-6 per consist depending on weight and dynamic braking requirements. and remember that's 6000hp with 70mph freight gearing so they can pull some absolutely massive weight with only the 8500hp gas turbine locos of the late 50s and 60s and the Challenger and Big Boy steam locomotives being able to pull more weight.
@@mrvwbug4423 Europe is mostly electrified (except smaller regional lines) that is why there are no powerful diesel trains. But electric Locomotives are most of the times stronger then diesel ones: for Example the standard Siemens Vectron has 8600hp
I just read that the government of Ontario will be aquiring 4 sets Push/Pull locomotives with 2 coaches in each set for it's Ontario Northlander( my go to railway) for it's Timmins to Toronto run. The previous Lieberal government cancelled this vital train service in 2012, our current Conservative government is reinstating it! YAY
I have mixed thoughts on these locomotives. Whilst I don't mind the ALC-42, I think the SC-44 and SCB-40 are very ugly (as it stands now, I'm indifferent to the Via Rail variant) and I also think the SC-44 is over-rated.
I heard the chargers failed when Amtrak was testing them in cold weather due to their large vents, it could be possible for the via chargers to suffer from this same problem
amtrak needs the dual powers too for ALB-NYC service. looking most forward to the one that uses panto/ battery with diesel for service to Roanoke, Springfield, and Newport News. Why the heck didnt brightline go panto and why did they decide to go with crossings on new track?
only in the nieche market sadly. Electrified Freigth is not really a thing in the US, so dual mode makes little sense. Siemens does not offer a Diesel option that is powerful enough for freight traffic.
Tbh the SC-44 is the Diesel Verison of the Vectron Electrics, The SCV-44 & SCB-44 Chargers are us the Diesel verison of Taurus. & the ALC-42 & Arios are like the Diesel Version of the ACS-64
I saw a charger on the empire builder on my way back from seattle to fargo, my train had the p42s and the train going to seattle had the alc-42 chargers
The Chargers have little front-end protection for the operating crew. This cab design is not an issue on the NE corridor because there are no grade crossings as there are in cross country service. I would not want to be in a cab of a Charger in an unavoidable collision with a semi-truck stuck on a crossing!
Idiots in Florida keep ignoring signals and driving across brightline tracks, so there have been many real world tests of the Siemens charger performance in a vehicle collision, and for the most part they come out of it fine.
I wonder how that's working out for Briteline, where they seem to have multiple track incursions per week. One report I read said it was the preferred method of suicide in FL, surpassing opiate drugs. I wonder how long until Briteline is banned! 😉😅😅😅💀💀💀
They follow the European design philosophy of incorporating a crash structure that deforms in an impact as well as an extremely strong survival cell to protect the driver/engineer. Trust me, they'll do just fine.
How much grief does The Borgata get from guests that sleep on the windmill side? (I ask because the REVEL also had one - when it was the Hilton Atlantic City, then the Atlantic Club - and I stayed there myself - on the windmill side - on purpose - slept like a brick - during a blizzard.)
I don't get the disgust sentiments toward the SC-44. It is personally my favorite of the platform. Oof, Coaster's chargers? Slap. Imagine if we got all blue chargers. Like in a Trimet blue. Fuck.
1. Does anyone know if LIRR still plans to buy these DM's? 2. Does anyone now the dimensions. Specifically, will the be low enough, etc. to fit into LIRR's 63rd Street tunnel along with the other tunnel segments leading to Grand Central LIRR?
When Metro-North Railroad gets their Siemens Charger locomotives and retire their P32AC-DMs, the train sets will no longer be called “Metro-North Genesis”😢. I wonder what will they be called with the new locomotives in the set?
Only 7 operate on the Cascades. Initial order was only for 8, and one was totaled on madden voyage, flew off the tracks from a bridge. WSDOT has ordered 2 more since.
Considering the future of the ACS64 is up in the air do you think you’ll maybe do a video on potential places they could end up whether that’s to Septa, MBTA, MARC NJT
@@BIoknight000 They’re meant to replace MOST of the ACS-64’s which I still find to be surreal given the ACS’ are still relatively new. I think there’ll be a small fleet of ACS’ kept around to handle the long distance traffic that the electrified lines see, as well as work trains and other miscellaneous tasks.
@@justahillbilly7777 I predict there will be a relatively large fleet left, and only a few of the bi-mode units. It's a stupid idea to get rid of so many new units given the very limited market for electric locos in North America
Something tells me Siemens will buy them back and use them for parts for other Charger units (I know the mode of propulsion is different, but many other parts are in common.)
Whenever the Chargers start appearing more often, my question is what type of Amtrak units will operate the Pennsylvanian from Philly to Pittsburgh, that type of Amtrak train isn't long distance.... Wonder if they'll use the Dash8s for the Pennsylvanian
Brightline is not a "higher speed rail" operator. The speed limit on Brightline's entire current line is 79mph, and their trains never even go above 70mph. After the new extension is build they will have a large section of 110mph in addition to their current 79mph trackage and a tiny, 20 mile section of 125mph trackage. So after the upgrade you could say that Brightline will become a "higher speed rail" operator. But they aren't one currently. Right now, Brightline is 100% a conventional speed operator.
@@Neuzahnstein Anything works with enough taxpayer subsidies. Brightline is very clever about extracting up to 90% of government funding and then claiming that they're "privately funded". As soon as the taxpayers realize how much they're subsidizing Brightline, the tap will close. Plus, hasn't Amtrak already done "highER speed rail" on the Wolverine, Lincoln service, and a few other corridors. How come Brightline gets the credit for copying something that Amtrak has been doing for over a decade?
May be there will be an opportunity Siemens’ Mireo Plus H hydrogen train soon to enter service in Scotland as with new IRA subsidies may lead to lower operating cost & emphasis on green energy in the future
So the alc42-e are going to be the same locomotives as the dual mode ones which the mta ordered, just with a different passenger car as power source attached to it?
Outside of Amtrak and the NEC I think a better fit for American operators is the MPXpress series. I can't believe you consistently mention far less successful competitors but never even name the MPXpress.
@@richardscathouse What do you mean? There has long been fierce competition between the primary locomotive manufacturers, mostly GE and EMD, and there is still a great deal of competition between the freight companies (though they do cooperate far more these days than they used to. No one is shooting up a rival engine shed over Raton Pass anymore)
@@andrewreynolds4949 Well, the days of EMD and GE competition are history, since both have pulled out of the freight locomotive market. Wether Caterpillar and Wabtec will be successful and equal competitors is yet to be seen, but as of now, the US railway market is basically dead. The big four railways have arranged themselves into what's essentially four regional monopolies (meaning thar almost anyhwere in the US, if you want to ship something by rail you've got a single option) and there is no longer any significant US-based freight locomotive or passenger stock manufacturer. The result of which can be seen with the huge passenger stock orders coming Siemens's way; since there is basically no competition one company can come in and sweep the entire market. Wether a similar thing will happen when the current crop of GEs and EMDs are due to be replaced is entirely dependent on both Caterpillar and Wabtec (who are both complete newcomers to this) getting their businesses up and running without any money from major orders. And I don't see that happening.
My experience with the Chargers on the Illinois routes is that they are noticeably quieter, the acceleration is brisk and smooth and you can barely smell any exhaust fumes. I am looking forward to seeing the chargers on our Chicago Metra routes.
These haven't taken over squat as there are well over 200 GE and EMD units still in service compared to a couple dozen Chargers just beginning service in the last couple years. All new locomotives have teething problems to work out, and Siemens is no different.
I based this on opinion, I like many grew up with the genesis series and will be sad to see it go. I’ve rail-fanned it, even ridden behind it, and I love the charger, but will miss the genesis, purely opinion not based on performance from any locomotive
I know an Amtrak engineer. He told me the new Siemen's is a real winner. He is hopeful the entire Amtrak locomotive fleet will be this well designed piece of locomotive power.
Siemens is not a possesive or even a plural, it's just a German family name:
_Ernst Werner Siemens (von Siemens from 1888; English: /ˈsiːm.ənz/ SEEM-ənz;[1] German: [ˈziːməns, -mɛns];[2] 13 December 1816 - 6 December 1892) was a German electrical engineer, inventor and industrialist. Siemens's name has been adopted as the SI unit of electrical conductance, the siemens. He founded the electrical and telecommunications conglomerate Siemens._
I like the Chargers, and they even make sense for dual-mode - as NJT and even MBTA prove every day.
And what about Metra? There - like the NEC - has both caternaries and diesel.
At some point, I am expecting MARC to wind up with ACS-64s of it's own because of the Brunswick and other noncaternary interchanges at DC Union Station and Baltimore Camden Yards.
@@KaiHenningsen the correct possessive form is Siemens', at least in German.
The Brightline Chargers don’t usually operate at the same time. It’s usually one engine pulling/pushing the consist while the other is there to give HEP. When the consist gets longer (8 cars) they will start using both engines.
I was thinking what a waste 2 engines for barley 80mph
@@damnimloomin it bothered me that he said higher speed rail service when talking about brightline. As you said its 80 mph for them and thats really slow
@@adamknott7830 they are already testing high speed service to be fair I hope they’re able to resolve the level crossing issues along US 1 so they can go the top speed! But yeah 80 is how fast people go on the highway in Florida lol not that appealing on travel time.
@@damnimloomin they dont have a high enough class of rail either if im not mistaken. They built themselves into a max speed of 80 mph which i think makes me more made than the actual speed itself
@@adamknott7830Brightline bought the extra power for their latter phases of service. It's a 79 mph limit in the metro Miami area, or Miami to Palm Beach; a speed that's pushing it for how many people and grade crossings are in play.
From Palm Beach to Cocoa, the restored dual track of the FEC is being set up for 110 mph, and the new track from Cocoa to Orlando is set for 125 mph. Their PPTs show a 150 mph design speed for the Tampa extension.
My favorite part of the chargers is how the original platform was properly adapted and modified for use in the US resulting in having a lot of the unique features that give American railroads its own character instead of just simply being a European export with a bell slapped onto it
I hope Amtrak will give the P42’s a farewell run just like they did with the AEM-7s
It would be silly if they didn't.
I just hope some get preserved!
How are they supposed to do that? AEM’s ran on one like, P42s are everywhere and have already been completely replaced in some parts of the country
based on how long the f40ph lasted I doubt that will be anytime soon
It will depend on who and where - B@O will get at least one from AMTRAK - because the Smithsonian has no annex.
I like the nose on the VIA chargers best. All Chargers should look like that.
The train is cute
I test all these locomotive variants at the manufacturing facility definitely the coolest feeling being the one of the first people to start the engine and drive these locomotives with the long lives they will have. It was awesome when 301 came to be the lead engine to take 313 and 314 eventually making their journey with 301,309,313 and 314. Great video I love seeing the appreciation people have for these vehicles!!
As a former passenger of a super liner pulled by one of these engines, it’s safe to say that the charger locomotive shows a ton of commitment to a great future for Amtrack!
Aesthetically, I like the VIA Rail SC-42 over the Amtrak ALC-42 as the VIA Rail one just looks sleeker and better looking IMO. Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder as most of these Siemens locomotives are good looking.
I have to agree with you
I thought via rails Chargers were classified as scv-42s
@@jfp3earth357 they are I think
Quite frankly, at least from european view, north american rail isnt exactly a story of design hits - most of the equipment looks bulky at best. And thats not just the safety regulations - I feel like its just not an important point.
The new brightline trains look way better though!
@@kennichdendenn because it was designed by Europe.
These Siemens locomotives are very pleasing to the eye, handsome and thoughtfully designed. It would good to see these on our Irish networks, both NIR and Irish Rail.
We have some incredibly old GM locomotives still in service, they have outlived everyones expections, a great testimony to the company and their designers.
I definitely would be cool to see a railroad review of Metro North or Long Island rail road, Long Island being the busiest commuter rail in the country
I can't remember if he did Metra or not, but in theme with your suggestion I'd hope he does an in depth video on Metra given it's the third busiest commuter rail operator in the country. It'd be even cooler if he did Metra and South Shore Line together given that they (including Amtrak Midwest as well) serve as the primary commuter and extended commuter services for the Chicagoland metropolitan area.
I also hope Metra gives up on it's stupid crusade to keep only EMD powered locomotices in it's fleet just because "it's used to working on them." This goes against their multiple claims to wanting to reduce harmful emissions and create a healthier environment for ridership. Given that we are set to replace all of our Nippon sharyo and bombardier Bilevel passenger cars with modern Alstom Coradia Multilevel passenger coaches, it would make a lot of sense to match them with well built, new dedicated passenger locomotives like the Siemens Charger. And yes, I'd miss the F40s, but man are they barely hanging on by a thread even with multiple rebuilds and fantastic maintenance. It's just time. Though I will admit that like most other state funded transit systems, funding is tight and margins are razor thin. So it's understandable. But frustrating.
@@scenicdepictionsofchicagolife The Chargers suck in Chicago's winters and The Freight Companies are being assholes
In December 2022, the Ontario government ordered 3 Siemens Chargers along with 3 Venture trainsets. This is for their Ontario Northlander service.
When I first saw the charger locomotive I was absolutely despised the design, but overtime, this locomotive has proven to be my favorite Tier 4 locomotive
Sadly as a Metra rider we won't see these until every last EMD locomotive is used up by them.
They need emus not chargers
@@erikgustafson9319 they dont need emus
Sounds like a good thing
@@danielchou5895 They do. They need something like Stadler KISS or CAF/Alstom Renfe S-450
@@truedarklander No they don't...
A good majority of operators went with the Siemens chargers. The only operator I know that didn't go with Siemens is Metrolink here in Southern California. Metrolink(and only Metrolink) purchased few EMD F125 locomotives leaving them the odd one out.
What I don’t understand is why many mid-distance and commuter railroad operators are purchasing long distance locomotives when it would be far more economical and efficient to operate multiple units on high-frequency shorter routes (intercity DMUs are a norm in many parts of the world). Perhaps Siemens should consider making hybrid multiple unit sets for regional operators based on the ALC design standard.
I mean, its a whole different beast, considering long DMUs have several smaller engines and are usually DEMUs rather than DMUs. And Siemens only has the Desiro series in that, and its not that good compared to the chargers. Stadler, CAF, Talgo and Alstom are far better choices for DMUs/EMUs/BMUs
Ikr, DMU's and EMU's are far better for the task in hand, at least Caltrain understands because they're getting new EMU's
Like most things wrong with American infrastructure, it comes down bad regulations. I'm 100% in favor of good regulations that improve safety, but we have a lot of regulations that are there just because that is how we've always done it, with no flexibility granted for new and improved technology.
@@truedarklander
Agreed on the DMU front, but honestly, Siemens builds the best EMUs out there (though Stadler does come very close). Especially noteworthy are the regional Desiro HC, which is an absolute rocketship with a huge capacity and a design top speed of 200kph, as well as the Velaro high speed trains.
The issue is reguilations. Trains in the US must be beefy enough to take some damage in a crash. In Europe the thinking is different...focus all regulations to avoid crahes.
So most light-weight DMUs / EMUS are impossible to certify for the American market, at least when they run on the same route as freight traffic.
There is actually a German DMU operaring somewhere in the US but it is classified as light rail...in Europe it would be a typical train for a regional rail that has low utilistion.
My favorite Siemens Chargers were Brightline, VIA Rail and the Amtrak long-distance trains, I can’t wait to see Brightline along with Amtrak’s ALC-42 chargers that are coming soon in Florida!
My favorite is also the bightlines and vias. They look "modern" and fast
MBTA should order some, even though their motive power trains are 9 years old
I’m happy that metro north went with the sc42dm for dual-mode a variant of the siemens charger instead of a classic emd locomotive like the f125 that’s in service with metrolink.
I love the charger and this was a great overview of the many orders. Maybe I'm alone with this, but I find the battery/dual-mode versions super frustrating. Diesel + caternary makes sense for anything past NEC, but the battery really doesn't make so much sense especially if it's replacing third rail. I wish we'd just electrify more lines!
I agree the electric lines are better.
@@T_Hoog But battery trains weigh alot.
@@T_Hoog
It’s just stupid of CSX and others NOT to electrify! And don’t say “the country is too big” or “They couldn’t run double-stack containers anymore “ because it’s BS. The Trans-Siberian in Russia is electrified (9288km/5771ml) and the Dedicated Freight Corridors in India are electrified corridors for double stack trains.
European railways show also that it IS possible to run by green electricity ⚡️
Electric locomotives are able to provide reliable services for more than 50 years, if well maintained, with less inspections needed.
@@aoilpe Maintenance of OLE in remote areas is a problem, so are tunnel and bridge clearances. Electrification is better for passenger than freight; it's also prohibitively expensive for the length of rail line in the US
@@andrewreynolds4949
Electric locomotives are the best for high power in low speed operation !
Quite all diesel locomotives are diesel-electric !
Overhead rail in tunnels take less room than a normal catenary . Electrification is costly at first but save money at the end. Less maintenance for locomotives, possibility to run trains with “green energy”,less dead weight to transport (fuel) ,fewer engines needed for the same weight,
recuperation breaks to generate power while breaking, service life easily over 50 years….!
Just start somewhere!
Switzerland is 99,1 percent electrified since the sixties beginning in the 1910’s.
I remind you,some lines were electrified and dismantled since !
Start with the most important routes !
As always, super interesting video from you! ;)
A little minor correction they are more eurosprinter.
Yes Siemens Mobility has built Chargers on Vectron. But afterall Vectron/and the single Current variant Smartron started in 2010.
The Vectron itself was based on both the EuroSprinter (electric) and EuroRunner (diesel)
At first, I wasn't feeling the SC. The more I see it in action, more I have started to like it. I live in Milwaukee and yesterday when I was coming out of the grocery store, the Empire Builder just so happened to come whizzing-by.
It was a perfect-shot. I was able to see almost all of the train at the same time. It had an ALC-42 as the lead locomotive, but it also had two GE-P42DC locomotives behind it. It only had 10 maybe 15 cars at the most so I was kind-of confused as to why it needed all those locos. After looking it up I guess it's normal for the Empire Builder to have that many.
Its so nice to see that north america is finally getting modern european trains
Knew this was coming after the scary lack of chargers in the last episode
Shame Amtrak didn't order streamlined locomotives like Viarail. I think more people would be inclined to use the trains if they looked more modern. Alot of people see the antiquated Amfleets and freight-based engines and compare them to Europe and Asia's high speed rail.
The sprinter and charger are direct relations to the Siemens ES64U4. ÖBB called these "Taurus", and the one numbered 1216 050 (and later renumbered 1216 025) has the world speed record for electric locomotives at 357 km/h (222 mph) on 2006-09-02. (If you google it, I'd say the stylistic relation is pretty obvious.)
Interesting. I could see where the design is similar. Although the Taurus has a very interesting sound when accelerating. The ACS 64 doesn't sound like a saxophone playing a scale
@@KaiHenningsen additionally the via rail concept is based on the öbb service railjet.
@@AndrewTheRadarMan
The sound is due to how the AC power gets generated and delivered to the motors, and Siemens engines from the early 2000s in particular developed this sound. The technology has become simpler and more efficient since, but at the cost of the wonderful sound. This even includes the Taurus; whilst the first two series play you some musical notes when accelerating, the third series, sharing the same bodyshell, doesn't.
3:30 Good lord! The curve of that track!!!
@FPK Chicago, 333 North Canal St.
I’d love to see a Siemens Charger B Unit for the long distance trains!
The ALC 42 Es sound really really cool.
I prefer the sound of the big GEs not a truck sounding motor of the Chargers.
@@paulwarner5395 I’ve not actually seen one in person. But I feel the same way. Trains shouldn’t sound like trucks. This is why I hate British trains so much lol
@@paulwarner5395 I thought the train systems and their futures mattered-
Welp roll out the sound based trains siemens!
@@paulwarner5395I like the Screaming of the F40s better
Interesting that Europea designed locos are taking over in USA passenger service. In the UK US designed and built locos have taken over the cargo market.
really? That means you guys have mostly Diesel operations?
It would make sense most since European Loco makers have deprioritized Diesel a bit, in the US Diesel is still undisputed King in the freight market.
@@tzarcoal1018 Many UK passenger lines are electrified, but not so many of the lines that carry freight, especially branches, so diesel is used more for freight.
Could you do a video on the EMD F125 (the locomotive meant to rival the charger)
Please no, far better to do one on the MPXpress series, the actual rivals to both the Genesis series and the Chargers
I had the pleasure of taking the empire builder with ALC 42 #300, the very first one delivered, about a month ago. It was beautiful in person and definitely noticably quieter than the adjoining Genesis
It's also more fuel efficient than the Genesis
If I recall the Genesis locos are still 2 stroke diesels.
I like the look of the ALCs over the SCs, but the ditch lights aren’t synced at all (unless it’s the typical camera shutter speed not matching the LEDs). Y’all can see it in videos of the ALCs.
As of 2022 , approximately 1728 European Vectron locomotives built , all types and 774 options .
I loved the fact that CT rail will actually get chargers as well but what will they be classified as will they actually retired the p-40s and the gp40s and replace them because I'm starting to think that the p-40s and gp40s are just temporary unless if CT rail is planning to use all three locomotives which I doubt because the other two don't comply to tier 4 emission standards. Do you know if CT rail will purchase Venture coaches and cab cars as well or will they keep the mbbs that were given by MBTA and Mafersas from Virginia Railway Express
I heard they were debating whether to get chargers or electrify their small network and get more EMUs
A couple corrections: Caltrans is operating 24 SC44s and Washington State operates 8.
These are my favorite diesel locomotives, but the ALC42s? Definitely my favorite Amtrak locomotive of all time
I wonder, with all the experience with the Cahrgers in the nord american market, will Siemens maybe one day build a freight engine too? And try to attack EMD and GE in their main market.
I don´t how how different conditions for passanger and freight trains are in America but here in Europe they serve both pretty well. Taurus locos (Vectron predecesors) were primary developed for freight train.
@@petrfedor1851 In the US freight trains are much longer and heavier than in Europe! Siemens has to create completely new engines. They can't use their existing European models for that.
North American freight locos are absolute monsters compared to anything out of Europe due to the extreme length of trains in the US and Canada. Heavy haul locos in the US run 6000hp without the need to divert power for HEP, and they run 3-6 per consist depending on weight and dynamic braking requirements. and remember that's 6000hp with 70mph freight gearing so they can pull some absolutely massive weight with only the 8500hp gas turbine locos of the late 50s and 60s and the Challenger and Big Boy steam locomotives being able to pull more weight.
@@mrvwbug4423 Europe is mostly electrified (except smaller regional lines) that is why there are no powerful diesel trains. But electric Locomotives are most of the times stronger then diesel ones: for Example the standard Siemens Vectron has 8600hp
Next Siemens venture
Nice Video. The Siemens Charger is one of my favorite locomotives, but mostly the SC44 is my favorite.
My favorite is the ALC42
It's about time American freight trains make the switch to Siemens Chargers, if only for the cool name!
Next: Passenger Wagons of the Future
I actually like the look of the chargers.
I like the ACS-64 and charger engines.
Exo here at Montréal in Canada but also the charger from Siemens 🙂
Amazing Video! Well Done!👍
A truly crazy thought would be a freight charger, made by Siemens to compete with EMD and GE Tier 4 offerings.
I’m sorry, were those MARC bilevels all the way out in Colorado at 2:56???
I just read that the government of Ontario will be aquiring 4 sets Push/Pull locomotives with 2 coaches in each set for it's Ontario Northlander( my go to railway) for it's Timmins to Toronto run. The previous Lieberal government cancelled this vital train service in 2012, our current Conservative government is reinstating it! YAY
We will see. I am skeptical.
I have mixed thoughts on these locomotives. Whilst I don't mind the ALC-42, I think the SC-44 and SCB-40 are very ugly (as it stands now, I'm indifferent to the Via Rail variant) and I also think the SC-44 is over-rated.
I think the SCB-40 isn't too bad and the Via Rail one is decent, but I don't really like the ALC-42 or especially the SC-44
Siemens Charger are the Best
And IDGAFS If you don't agree
Even though MPI MPXpress are my favorite passenger locomotives, Chargers are my close 2nd
I heard the chargers failed when Amtrak was testing them in cold weather due to their large vents, it could be possible for the via chargers to suffer from this same problem
They should make smaller vents
Meanwhile the Brightline trains have much larger vents and larger radiators to deal with the Florida heat.
Would love NJT to get some SC44 or SC42 Chargers
Hey pls review India's Semi fast train 'Vande Bharat' Thanks.
Great video
amtrak needs the dual powers too for ALB-NYC service. looking most forward to the one that uses panto/ battery with diesel for service to Roanoke, Springfield, and Newport News. Why the heck didnt brightline go panto and why did they decide to go with crossings on new track?
Because Brightline doesn't own the track except for the segment between Orlando and just north of Cocoa.
I think those EXO locomotives would be called the SC44-R, the "R" standing for Removable Nose
North Carolina DOT may make an order on the diesel only models soon for the Piedmont service.
24 not 22 for California, the last 2 were leased. split 10 northern California 14 southern California.
I rode the Via variant to and from Ottawa last month. Faster, smoother and quieter than the old stock.
The new face of North American Passenger railroading.
Charger platform could be as well interesting for freight railways, in special the dual mods ones for some areas.
only in the nieche market sadly. Electrified Freigth is not really a thing in the US, so dual mode makes little sense. Siemens does not offer a Diesel option that is powerful enough for freight traffic.
Tbh the SC-44 is the Diesel Verison of the Vectron Electrics, The SCV-44 & SCB-44 Chargers are us the Diesel verison of Taurus. & the ALC-42 & Arios are like the Diesel Version of the ACS-64
Can't wait to see exo's charger fleet.
Nice locomotives, does anyone know where the Chargers are built?
Sacramento, CA
I saw a charger on the empire builder on my way back from seattle to fargo, my train had the p42s and the train going to seattle had the alc-42 chargers
Great video!
The Chargers have little front-end protection for the operating crew. This cab design is not an issue on the NE corridor because there are no grade crossings as there are in cross country service. I would not want to be in a cab of a Charger in an unavoidable collision with a semi-truck stuck on a crossing!
They have done very well against tractor-trailers, heavy farm equipment, and high speed airborne derailment.
Idiots in Florida keep ignoring signals and driving across brightline tracks, so there have been many real world tests of the Siemens charger performance in a vehicle collision, and for the most part they come out of it fine.
I wonder how that's working out for Briteline, where they seem to have multiple track incursions per week. One report I read said it was the preferred method of suicide in FL, surpassing opiate drugs. I wonder how long until Briteline is banned! 😉😅😅😅💀💀💀
They follow the European design philosophy of incorporating a crash structure that deforms in an impact as well as an extremely strong survival cell to protect the driver/engineer. Trust me, they'll do just fine.
How much grief does The Borgata get from guests that sleep on the windmill side? (I ask because the REVEL also had one - when it was the Hilton Atlantic City, then the Atlantic Club - and I stayed there myself - on the windmill side - on purpose - slept like a brick - during a blizzard.)
Metro-North will definitely need to replace their pl42 AC'S that they're getting rid of for the port Jervis route
NJT owns the PL42s.
I thought the NJT PL42 fleet was getting replaced by ALP-45As
@@andrewreynolds4949 they are but not all of them
Bro PL42AC Are Good Locomotive
Maybe, some P32ACDMs will be kept on Metro-North as protect power in case a Charger on MTA breaks down.
Great video! Good day! Greetings from Ukraine!
Very cool!
RUclips is destroying your video by putting in ads EVERY 2 MINUTES!!!!!
uBlock Origin is your friend.
You have the option for subscription, other wise 😂😂😂
All videos
I don't get the disgust sentiments toward the SC-44. It is personally my favorite of the platform. Oof, Coaster's chargers? Slap. Imagine if we got all blue chargers. Like in a Trimet blue. Fuck.
It's the nose that looks ugly to most people
1. Does anyone know if LIRR still plans to buy these DM's? 2. Does anyone now the dimensions. Specifically, will the be low enough, etc. to fit into LIRR's 63rd Street tunnel along with the other tunnel segments leading to Grand Central LIRR?
The Via rail ones are definitely nice
When Metro-North Railroad gets their Siemens Charger locomotives and retire their P32AC-DMs, the train sets will no longer be called “Metro-North Genesis”😢. I wonder what will they be called with the new locomotives in the set?
Only 7 operate on the Cascades. Initial order was only for 8, and one was totaled on madden voyage, flew off the tracks from a bridge. WSDOT has ordered 2 more since.
We won't see the two new Chargers until the Airo sets though, at least close to that order.
Talk about a rolling brick? They can’t come up with something more aerodynamic ??
Considering the future of the ACS64 is up in the air do you think you’ll maybe do a video on potential places they could end up whether that’s to Septa, MBTA, MARC NJT
why is their future up in the air?
@@truedarklander The new ALC-42E Charger-Venture trainsets are meant to replace the ACS-64.
@@BIoknight000 They’re meant to replace MOST of the ACS-64’s which I still find to be surreal given the ACS’ are still relatively new. I think there’ll be a small fleet of ACS’ kept around to handle the long distance traffic that the electrified lines see, as well as work trains and other miscellaneous tasks.
@@justahillbilly7777 I predict there will be a relatively large fleet left, and only a few of the bi-mode units. It's a stupid idea to get rid of so many new units given the very limited market for electric locos in North America
Something tells me Siemens will buy them back and use them for parts for other Charger units (I know the mode of propulsion is different, but many other parts are in common.)
Well done Florida ❗️
I hope these companies dont invest in battery tech and realize that overhead wires are just a better route to take
Modern lithium batteries are cancer. Wires are the only logical way to go.
Whenever the Chargers start appearing more often, my question is what type of Amtrak units will operate the Pennsylvanian from Philly to Pittsburgh, that type of Amtrak train isn't long distance.... Wonder if they'll use the Dash8s for the Pennsylvanian
Leftover P42DCs probably, if not more SC44s and ALC42s
11:57 will this be a 6 locomotives cars to come to Metro North
Brightline is not a "higher speed rail" operator. The speed limit on Brightline's entire current line is 79mph, and their trains never even go above 70mph.
After the new extension is build they will have a large section of 110mph in addition to their current 79mph trackage and a tiny, 20 mile section of 125mph trackage. So after the upgrade you could say that Brightline will become a "higher speed rail" operator. But they aren't one currently. Right now, Brightline is 100% a conventional speed operator.
And it is working, example for more corridors?
@@Neuzahnstein Anything works with enough taxpayer subsidies. Brightline is very clever about extracting up to 90% of government funding and then claiming that they're "privately funded". As soon as the taxpayers realize how much they're subsidizing Brightline, the tap will close.
Plus, hasn't Amtrak already done "highER speed rail" on the Wolverine, Lincoln service, and a few other corridors. How come Brightline gets the credit for copying something that Amtrak has been doing for over a decade?
4:44 what station is that render of?
I believe Miami Central
11:37 EXO is the commuter rail agency of Montreal.
May be there will be an opportunity Siemens’ Mireo Plus H hydrogen train soon to enter service in Scotland as with new IRA subsidies may lead to lower operating cost & emphasis on green energy in the future
MTA needs to keep the NH unit, even if they replace the GE fleet with Siemens
That's what museums are for
So the alc42-e are going to be the same locomotives as the dual mode ones which the mta ordered, just with a different passenger car as power source attached to it?
no
Super video, good work! Thumbs Up & Subscribe
Greetings from Romania
Andrew
nice
Outside of Amtrak and the NEC I think a better fit for American operators is the MPXpress series. I can't believe you consistently mention far less successful competitors but never even name the MPXpress.
American rail isn't supposed to be competitive.🤫🙄🤭🤭🤭🤭
@@richardscathouse What do you mean? There has long been fierce competition between the primary locomotive manufacturers, mostly GE and EMD, and there is still a great deal of competition between the freight companies (though they do cooperate far more these days than they used to. No one is shooting up a rival engine shed over Raton Pass anymore)
@@andrewreynolds4949
Well, the days of EMD and GE competition are history, since both have pulled out of the freight locomotive market. Wether Caterpillar and Wabtec will be successful and equal competitors is yet to be seen, but as of now, the US railway market is basically dead. The big four railways have arranged themselves into what's essentially four regional monopolies (meaning thar almost anyhwere in the US, if you want to ship something by rail you've got a single option) and there is no longer any significant US-based freight locomotive or passenger stock manufacturer. The result of which can be seen with the huge passenger stock orders coming Siemens's way; since there is basically no competition one company can come in and sweep the entire market. Wether a similar thing will happen when the current crop of GEs and EMDs are due to be replaced is entirely dependent on both Caterpillar and Wabtec (who are both complete newcomers to this) getting their businesses up and running without any money from major orders. And I don't see that happening.
MPXpress is Discontinued
Why does the Via ones look better than the Amtrak ones is it the paint job or am i missing something
nose cone design along with the snow blade on the front does make a bit more stylish
My experience with the Chargers on the Illinois routes is that they are noticeably quieter, the acceleration is brisk and smooth and you can barely smell any exhaust fumes. I am looking forward to seeing the chargers on our Chicago Metra routes.
Relience on EMD prime movers.
Can't wait to see them in Metro North
These haven't taken over squat as there are well over 200 GE and EMD units still in service compared to a couple dozen Chargers just beginning service in the last couple years. All new locomotives have teething problems to work out, and Siemens is no different.
I based this on opinion, I like many grew up with the genesis series and will be sad to see it go. I’ve rail-fanned it, even ridden behind it, and I love the charger, but will miss the genesis, purely opinion not based on performance from any locomotive
i know the Empire Builder is running these new locos.....
.
sometimes 2 locos at the front.... sometimes 1 changer infront of a P42
I thought the chargers had some teething problems. Is that just ancient history now?
Maybe all P32ACDMs will be converted into Non-Powered Control Units.