Amtrak has ordered 70 new electric locomotives from Siemens to be called ACS-64 Sprinters. They appear to be a slightly modified Siemens Vectron design. They will be a 4-axle quill drive design rated at 6.4MW (8579 hp) with a design speed of 125 mph. Assembly will be by Siemens at their Sacramento, CA plant. These will replace all of Amtrak's current electric locomotive fleet starting with the unrebuilt AEM-7s and finishing with the HHP-8.
How old are the locomotives they are replacing?
The AEM-7s by 2013 will be between 25-35 years old. The HHP-8s will be 14 years old.
THEKINGOFDISTRUCTION The AEM-7s by 2013 will be between 25-35 years old. The HHP-8s will be 14 years old.
Delivery will be over a period of six years so by the time the HHP-8s are retired they will be 19 years old. The non-upgraded AEM-7s will be the first to go, followed by the AEM-7AC, then the HHP-8s.
From what I've read elsewhere, this is an off-the-shelf design modified for North American requirements so they should be able to get into service quickly after delivery. The geared-quill drive will help make it easier on the rails.
beaulieu Amtrak has ordered 70 new electric locomotives from Siemens to be called ACS-64 Sprinters. They appear to be a slightly modified Siemens Vectron design. They will be a 4-axle quill drive design rated at 6.4MW (8579 hp) with a design speed of 125 mph. Assembly will be by Siemens at their Sacramento, CA plant. These will replace all of Amtrak's current electric locomotive fleet starting with the unrebuilt AEM-7s and finishing with the HHP-8.
I think the new Amtrak locomotives will be an adaptation of the Eurosprinter, not the Vectron. The name given by Siemens is similar....Amtrak Cities Sprinter ACS64 and the number series is identical.
The Eurosprinter is the optimal platform concept for European rail traffic. The advanced-technology, four-system locomotives ES64U4 and ES64F4 open up new horizons for interoperable passenger and freight traffic. These locomotives can be operated using all of the standard power systems in Europe.
David Harrison
The VECTRON is latest version of Eurosprinter but in different car body.
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