Amtrak 300-424

National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) 300-424 are Siemens Charger ALC-42 locomotives built in 2020-24.

Engine	Horsepower	Gearing	Top Speed	Passenger heating
Cummins QSK95	4,200 hp		125 mph	HEP generator

History

Order/delivery

An initial $850 million order for 75 new locomotives for the long-distance fleet was placed with Siemens in December 2018. The contract has options to purchase up to an additional 100 locomotives. This order follows the successful operation of Charger locomotives on state-sponsored corridors in California, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Oregon, and Washington. These new locomotives are expected to replace much of the 'Genesis' series of locomotives (1-207 and 800-843).

Siemens made number of modifications from the standard Charger model to suit Amtrak's operational needs for long-distance service. These changes include larger fuel, diesel exhaust fluid, and sand tanks; increased HEP generating capacity; a modified front nose to improve repairability; and a derated engine to 4,200 horsepower (down from 4,400 hp) intended to lengthen maintenance intervals. The front nose is designed to match the appearance to the Cities Sprinter model, already in use by Amtrak on its electrified corridors. Other features standard to the Charger lineup include being equipped with Positive Train Control (PTC), Crash Energy Management (CEM) technology, and Tier 4-compliant Cummins QSK95 prime movers. The new model has been designated as Amtrak Long-distance Charger, or ALC-42.

The first unit was delivered to Amtrak on June 17, 2021, with deliveries expected to continue until 2024. Five of the first six locomotives will be delivered in the Phase VI livery, while unit 301 was delivered in a heritage "Day One" livery, as originally worn by E8A locomotive 4316, to celebrate Amtrak's 50th anniversary. The remaining locomotives will be delivered in the Phase VII livery.

In June 2022, an additional 50 locomotives (375-424) were added to the order, bringing the total number of ALC-42 locomotives in Amtrak's fleet to 125.

Routes

The ALC-42 fleet is expected to serve on all long-distance routes on the Amtrak network, including Auto Train, California Zephyr, Capitol Limited, Cardinal, City of New Orleans, Coast Starlight, Crescent, Empire Builder, Lake Shore Limited, Palmetto, Silver Meteor, Silver Star, Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited, and Texas Eagle. They will also likely see service on short- and medium-distance routes, substituting for state-owned power.

Details

Fleet Number	Thumbnail	Date	Serial	Livery	Status/Disposal	Notes
300		06/2021	CHR-100	Phase VI	Retired June 2023	Delivered on June 17, 2021. Involved in accident in Moorpark, CA on June 28, 2023.
301		07/2021	CHR-101	Heritage (Day One)	Active	Delivered in special heritage livery.
302		11/2021	CHR-102	Phase VI	Active
303		11/2021	CHR-103	Phase VI	Active
304		01/2022	CHR-104	Phase VI	Active
305		01/2022	CHR-105	Phase VI	Active
306		02/2022	CHR-106	Phase VI	Active
307		02/2022	CHR-107	Phase VI	Active
308		04/2022	CHR-108	Phase VI	Active
309		04/2022	CHR-109	Phase VII	Active
310		05/2022	CHR-110	Phase VII	Active
311		05/2022	CHR-111	Phase VII	Active
312		07/2022	CHR-112	Phase VII	Retired April 2023	Involved in accident near Mobile, AL on April 26, 2023.
313		08/2022	CHR-113	Phase VII	Active
314		08/2022	CHR-114	Phase VII	Active
315		11/2022	CHR-115	Phase VII	Active
316		11/2022	CHR-116	Phase VII	Active
317		11/2022	CHR-117	Phase VII	Active
318		11/2022	CHR-118	Phase VII	Active
319		11/2022	CHR-119	Phase VII	Active
320		12/2022	CHR-120	Phase VII	Active
321		03/2023	CHR-121	Phase VII	Active
322		12/2022	CHR-122	Phase VII	Active
323		02/2023	CHR-123	Phase VII	Active
324		02/2023	CHR-124	Phase VII	Active
325		03/2023	CHR-125	Phase VII	Active
326		03/2023	CHR-126	Phase VII	Active
327		03/2023		Phase VII	Delivered
328		04/2023		Phase VII	Delivered
329		04/2023		Phase VII	Delivered
330		05/2023		Phase VII	Delivered
331		05/2023		Phase VII	Delivered
332		05/2023		Phase VII	Delivered
333				Phase VII
334		05/2023		Phase VII	Delivered
335		07/2023		Phase VII	Delivered
336		07/2023		Phase VII	Delivered
337				Phase VII
338				Phase VII
339				Phase VII
340				Phase VII
341				Phase VII
342				Phase VII
343				Phase VII
344				Phase VII
345				Phase VII
346				Phase VII
347				Phase VII
348				Phase VII
349				Phase VII
350				Phase VII
351				Phase VII
352				Phase VII
353				Phase VII
354				Phase VII
355				Phase VII
356				Phase VII
357				Phase VII
358				Phase VII
359				Phase VII
360				Phase VII
361				Phase VII
362				Phase VII
363				Phase VII
364				Phase VII
365				Phase VII
366				Phase VII
367				Phase VII
368				Phase VII
369				Phase VII
370				Phase VII
371				Phase VII
372				Phase VII
373				Phase VII
374				Phase VII
375				Phase VII
376				Phase VII
377				Phase VII
378				Phase VII
379				Phase VII
380				Phase VII
381				Phase VII
382				Phase VII
383				Phase VII
384				Phase VII
385				Phase VII
386				Phase VII
387				Phase VII
388				Phase VII
389				Phase VII
390				Phase VII
391				Phase VII
392				Phase VII
393				Phase VII
394				Phase VII
395				Phase VII
396				Phase VII
397				Phase VII
398				Phase VII
399				Phase VII
400				Phase VII
401				Phase VII
402				Phase VII
403				Phase VII
404				Phase VII
405				Phase VII
406				Phase VII
407				Phase VII
408				Phase VII
409				Phase VII
410				Phase VII
411				Phase VII
412				Phase VII
413				Phase VII
414				Phase VII
415				Phase VII
416				Phase VII
417				Phase VII
418				Phase VII
419				Phase VII
420				Phase VII
421				Phase VII
422				Phase VII
423				Phase VII
424				Phase VII