Amtrak recently ordered 50 more 125 diesel-electric locomotives from Siemens Mobility.
This brings Amtrak’s order to 75 locomotives. The units are more environmentally-friendly and will reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by more than 89 percent and particulate matter by 95 percent. In addition, they consume less fuel than the Amtrak P40 and P42 diesel-electric locomotives they will replace and can reach a top speed of 125 miles per hour.
Amtrak will pay up to $2 billion for the new locomotives and supplemental multiyear maintenance, including approximately $850 million from 2018 when the initial order was announced.
The new locomotives are named Amtrak Long-distance Charger, 4,200-horsepower (ALC-42).
Siemens Mobility will built the locomotives at its rail manufacturing hub in Sacramento.
The first ALC-42 entered service in February, pulling Empire Builder trains. The next deployment will be between New Orleans and Chicago pulling the City of New Orleans trains.
The 10th unit was delivered in April and features Amtrak’s seventh standard paint scheme, Amtrak Blue with Amtrak Red and Midnight Blue separated by white arcs. Darker colors are in strategic areas to accentuate the sleek form. The white portions add visibility and safety. They make the design, stripes, logos and unit numbers reflective.