Trains.com

Amtrak Orders 70 New Electric Locomotives

2537 views
6 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    March 2005
  • From: Brewster, NY
  • 648 posts
Posted by Dutchrailnut on Monday, November 1, 2010 6:43 PM

The VECTRON is latest version of Eurosprinter but in different car body.

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 11 posts
Posted by D.Harrison on Monday, November 1, 2010 9:53 AM

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

  • Member since
    March 2016
  • From: Burbank IL (near Clearing)
  • 13,540 posts
Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Saturday, October 30, 2010 2:02 PM

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.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: NW Wisconsin
  • 3,857 posts
Posted by beaulieu on Friday, October 29, 2010 6:53 PM

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.

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • 44 posts
Posted by THEKINGOFDISTRUCTION on Friday, October 29, 2010 4:20 PM

The AEM-7s by 2013 will be between 25-35 years old. The HHP-8s will be 14 years old.

  • Member since
    May 2007
  • From: Auckland, New Zealand
  • 147 posts
Posted by Steve_F on Friday, October 29, 2010 2:38 PM

How old are the locomotives they are replacing?

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: NW Wisconsin
  • 3,857 posts
Amtrak Orders 70 New Electric Locomotives
Posted by beaulieu on Friday, October 29, 2010 11:38 AM

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.

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy