Amtrak ALC-42 Locomotives Inaugural Run on the California Zephyr, Omaha, NE 8/26/22
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- Опубліковано 1 жов 2024
- On August 24th, 2022, Amtrak's California Zephyr departed California with four of its new "Charger" ALC-42 locomotives in charge. Leading the train was AMTK 301, the specially painted "Day 1" locomotive celebrating Amtrak's 50th anniversary in 2021, followed by three other ALC-42's: AMTK 309, 313 and 314. The 313 and 314 were brand new deliveries, just completed at Siemens' locomotive plant in Sacramento, CA. These along with unit 309 are painted in Amtrak's newest paint scheme, "Phase VII", featuring two segments of blue with a red front, separated by curving areas of white flowing across the sides. The ALC-42's were introduced to revenue service on Amtrak's Empire Builder (Chicago-Seattle/Portland) during the 2021-2022 winter season. Later, they started seeing use on the City of New Orleans (Chicago-New Orleans). The California Zephyr (Chicago-Emeryville, CA) marks the third train now using the new locomotives. In the next few years, a total of 125 ALC-42's will be built for use on all long distance trains, replacing the majority of Amtrak's Genesis P40 and P42 diesels, many of which are approaching 30 years old.
With this being the first run of the ALC-42 locomotives leading on the Zephyr, the entire trip from California to Chicago was well documented by numerous railfans along the way. I happened to be in the Omaha area with my wife when the train arrived two days later on the 26th. With the train being several hours late, I was able to get a shot of it departing the Omaha Amtrak station in daylight (on time, the eastbound Zephyr arrives in Omaha in the very early morning). I'm standing at the Pacific Street crossing immediately after the station, one of the only level crossings on BNSF's Omaha Sub in this area. Thunderstorms were passing throughout the morning, but only a light rain was falling when the train passed my location.
Along with the four new Charger engines leading, the California Zephyr also features an Amfleet cafe car, and an additional sleeping car in the consist. Officials from Siemens were onboard the train monitoring the Charger's performance during the journey, and I'm guessing these extra cars were on the train to accommodate them.
The arrival of the ALC-42's marks the beginning of the end for Amtrak's "Genesis" diesels, as hard to believe as it seems. I can still remember being very young, watching the Genesis units replace F40PH diesels on Amtrak trains back in the 1990's. Today, this passage of the California Zephyr in 2022 marks the first time I haven't seen a Genesis locomotive on the Zephyr in over 25 years! After initial teething issues get ironed out, I suspect the Chargers will be a reliable replacement.
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Splendid catch! The Chargers look awesome in Phase VII.
When can we expect this on the Chief?
This is what the inaugural run of these engines on the Empire Builder should've looked like ith 301, 302 and 161
Awesome catch of Amtrak California Zephyr #6 with the ALCs.
Great video.
Where did the amfleet car come from?.
That’s awesome
Why did the train have 4 sleeper cars? Because nowadays it seems to only have 3 sleeper cars including the transition sleeper.
I was actually on that train! Rhett was an extra sleeper car and a northeast regional diner car because there was a bunch of Amtrak and Siemens employees on the ride with us making sure everything went well
@@mikefleming8675 Did everything or mostly everything go well on that trip?
From Omaha and have been there many times. Great video!
Thanks!
Nice catch!
Thank you!
Your welcome @@BobbyHarveyVideoProductions!