Amtrak installed two new locomotives this month that are faster and more efficient, including two on the Empire Builder route through Havre as well as the Hi-Line.
Locomotives 301 & 302 will be visible on the area’s railways in the next days. They are among 75 ALC42 locomotives which will be in use until 2024.
The locomotives are much more eco-friendly than the 1990s locomotives they replace, mostly Amtrak P40/P42 locomotives. Some locomotives have been in use for more than 25 year.
Amtrak released earlier this month that they had significantly reduced pollutants, reducing the emissions of nitrogen oxide and particulate material by 89 percent, and 95 percent respectively, compared to their predecessors.
The release stated that they also consume less fuel and can reach higher speeds of up to 125 mph.
The locomotives were created by a team of Amtrak and Siemens Mobility personnel. They are designed for heavier and longer trains traveling multi-thousand miles from Seattle to Miami and Los Angeles, respectively.
Amtrak has released a statement stating that they will order more locomotives to expand their network in order to meet the needs of their long-distance trains.
Rolling Stock President Michael Cahill from Siemens Mobility North America stated, “We look forward to seeing these Chargers safely transportation millions of Americans across America, whether it is seeking new adventures and connecting to economic opportunity.”
The release also mentioned the construction of locomotives, which are manufactured at the rail manufacturing center in Sacramento, California. This facility is solar-powered.
The funding for the new locomotives and their maintenance was set aside at $850 million when the order was placed in 2019. It will power trains across the U.S.
For now, the Empire Builder is still the only one that uses the new locomotives. Three locomotives are used on one of the Empire Builder’s trains.
This will be expanded for use on other trains. These include theAuto Train(suburban Washington to suburban Orlando, Fla.), theCalifornia Zephyr(Chicago to San Francisco Bay),the Capitol Limited(Washington to Chicago),the Cardinal(New York to Chicago), the City of New Orleans(Chicago to New Orleans),the Coast Starlight(Seattle to Los Angeles)the Crescent(New York to New Orleans),the Empire Builder(Chicago to Seattle/Portland),the Lake Shore Limited (New York/Boston to Chicago),the Palmetto(New York to Savannah, Ga.)the Silver Star and Silver Meteor(New York to Miami),the Southwest Chief(Chicago to Los Angeles),the Sunset Limited(New Orleans to Los Angeles) andtheTexas Eagle(Chicago to San Antonio, Texas).
Federal Railroad Administrator Amit Bosse stated that the bipartisan infrastructure bill passed by Congress recently will allow Amtrak to make additional investments to improve their environmental impact and service to the American people.
Bose stated, “These new locomotives serve to take another step forward to improve safe, reliable, efficient, and cost-effective passenger rail across the country.” “With President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan infrastructure Law, we are positioned to make more investments in modernizing rail infrastructure which will make a significant difference in the lives and livelihoods of Americans.”
George Hull, Amtrak Vice President & Chief Mechanical Officer, said that although the railroad contributes a small amount to the nation’s carbon emissions, they are still committed to doing their part.
Hull stated, “We take our commitments to sustainability seriously at Amtrak,” during a ceremony at Chicago Union Station. “… We are determined to make Amtrak the most environmentally-friendly passenger railroad in North America by operating diesel trains, whether commuter or interstate. We’re committed to constantly seeking out innovative technologies that can solve transportation problems while reducing climate and health impacts.
The new locomotives have also been praised by both the political and civil spheres, in both Montana as well as Washington.
Montana Senator Jon Tester is a long-standing supporter Amtrak. He said that the new locomotives will be a tremendous benefit to the Hi-Line, and the U.S. today.
Tester stated in a statement that the Empire Builder Route was critical to the economy and keeping people on the Northern Tier connected to our state. The new locomotives are great for northern Montana. Amtrak efficiency will decrease costs for consumers, reduce pollution and boost our already booming tourist economy.
Steve Daines, a fellow Montana senator, also supported the new locomotives. He stated that they would help the state’s tourism industry and overall economy.
Daines stated in an Amtrak release that “TheEmpire Builderhelps Montanans connect and brings visitors from all over the country to our great state.” “Amtrak’s new locomotives support Montana jobs, our tourism industry and people along the Hi-Line who depend on Amtrak for critical services.”
