Amtrak ACS-64 roll out

[Mario_v]

Mario_v

Hello all ;

Here are some cousins of the new Amtrak engines

Corrected video links

watch?v=2occPqFQ6j8

watch?v=jqlww6n39Sg´

And some info concerning the 'sister engines' shown above

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CP_Class_4700

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SNCB_Class_18_(Siemens)

Exception made for cab fronts and pantographs, the ACS's look very similar to the Belgium locos, maybe because all of this belong to the Vectron family, show here http://www.siemens.com/innovation/en/news/2013/e_inno_1307_1_copy.htm

As far as I know, all these units have an high availability rate, in the upper 90's

[Mario_v]

Hello all ;

Here are some cousins of the new Amtrak engines

[blue streak 1]

oltmannd

blue streak 1

6.125 MPH pulling 18 Amfleet cars.    (  That I want to see )

Look to be about balance speed on the level.

But if it takes 25 miles to reach that speed a speed restriction will then be encountered until rebuilding of ROW is complete..  Actual acceleration specifications pulling 18 Amfleets will be interesting.  That will probably be one test on NEC north of Trenton.  Will Amtrak have to operate a test train at 135 MPH & 18 cars for certification to 125 ?

 

[Alan F]

blue streak 1

One problem I have is he statement that Amtrak will be able to use just one type electric motor.  Amtrak has  48 AEM-7s + 15 HHP - 8s + an unknown number of E-60s. That number comes close to the # of ACS-64s of 70.  IMHO the motors left should be parked at strategic locations to cover any unexpected breakdowns of the new motors.  Look how many NEC motor failures delay Regional and LD trains.  

The E-60s were sent to the retirement home some years ago.  According to the Amtrak roster list at On Track  On-line, there are currently 47 active AEM-7s (19 DC, 29 AC) and 15 HHP-8s. So Amtrak will be replacing 62 active electric locomotives with 70 new ACS-64s. Which, if the money is well spent, should be more reliable than the aging AEM-7 DC units and the reported maintenance headache inducing HHP-8s.

 

Have not seen any reliable reports that Amtrak might increase the number of WAS-NYP weekday NE Regionals once the AEM-7 DC units have been replaced and enough ACS-64 are service, but I don't think it would be a surprise Amtrak adds a NE Regional or two to the schedule, if they can wrangle enough Amfleet cars to run them. With a delivery rate of 2 units per month, after the initial units pass the testing, that would not be until late 2014 at the earliest though.

[oltmannd]

blue streak 1

6.125 MPH pulling 18 Amfleet cars.    (  That I want to see )

Look to be about balance speed on the level.

[oltmannd]

blue streak 1

10.  1st revenue service fall 2013  (  plenty of time to work out bugs  ? )

Just enough time if everything works out and bugs are small.

[blue streak 1]

The Amtrak press release has several specifications which if they pan out will be interesting ;

5.  8600 HP   (6.4 Kw )  (  Is that continous or a one hour rating or something else ?  )

6.125 MPH pulling 18 Amfleet cars.    (  That I want to see )

7.1000 Kw  HEP with dual inverters.  Specifications do not make clear if each inver capable of the 1000 Kw  ?

8.Regenerative braking can produce 5 Mws   ( That would be much greater than any other equipment worldwide  )

9.  2 will be tested at Pueblo and one on the NEC.

10.  1st revenue service fall 2013  (  plenty of time to work out bugs  ? )

11.  Once acceptance coomplete will ramp up to produce  ~ ~  2 per month.

http://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/898/720/Amtrak-Siemens-Locomotive-ATK-13-039.pdf

[oltmannd]

oltmannd

A freight RR would want the post production qualification testing a Pueblo to be a matter of a month or two.  I imagine Amtrak (and commuter agencies) drag this out to a year, writing all sort of esoteric qualification tests into their purchasing docs.

If it were up to me, I'd want to see if it'll stay on the tracks at max rated speed with wheels and trucks at wear limits,  whether the speed/TE diagram matches the builder's spec and whether the energy consumption is what was promised.  Everything else you can handle on the fly after delivery.

From the new article:  "Three will be unveiled Monday before being sent out for testing. The first is due to go into service by this fall, and all 70 are expected to be in service by 2016."

Sounds very reasonable to me.

[oltmannd]

blue streak 1

4. Any other observations ?

I like how it looks.  The paint scheme fits the locomotive lines well.

[oltmannd]

blue streak 1

4. Any other observations ?

The truck centers are pretty far from the ends.  The cab is cantilevered out past the trucks quite a bit.  I'd be worried about hunting or rough ride at speed.  Guess there is a lot of experience with this design, so they know what they are doing, though...

[oltmannd]

Overmod

... an unknown number of WHATs?

Also:  HHPs are not particularly reliable, and many of the AEM7s are getting long in the tooth.  I would suspect the ACS-64s will be phased in as quickly as possible.  (Let's just hope their teething time will be short!)

A freight RR would want the post production qualification testing a Pueblo to be a matter of a month or two.  I imagine Amtrak (and commuter agencies) drag this out to a year, writing all sort of esoteric qualification tests into their purchasing docs.

If it were up to me, I'd want to see if it'll stay on the tracks at max rated speed with wheels and trucks at wear limits,  whether the speed/TE diagram matches the builder's spec and whether the energy consumption is what was promised.  Everything else you can handle on the fly after delivery.

[blue streak 1]

Found a picture

http://news.yahoo.com/amtrak-unveils-locomotives-replace-aging-174941862.html

Note several items.

1. Pictured is a number 602.  If 70 to be delivered maybe HHP-8s will be eiher renumbered or retired by time  deliveries get to # 649 ?

2. Without the axel mounted traction motors umderneath unit has almost a toy like look ?

3. If you click on view photo in the above link you can see 2 other views.

4. Any other observations ?

 

[Overmod]

... an unknown number of WHATs?

Also:  HHPs are not particularly reliable, and many of the AEM7s are getting long in the tooth.  I would suspect the ACS-64s will be phased in as quickly as possible.  (Let's just hope their teething time will be short!)

[blue streak 1]

The first ACS-64 is expected to be displayed Monday. After wards electric motor will go to Pubelo for testing.  Wonder if it will be deheaded behind tr#6 or if it is not considered  certified so will need a special move ?s 

http://news.yahoo.com/amtrak-unveils-locomotives-replace-aging-174941862.html

EDIT #1 -- Another report by CBS.  See if you can find the differences ---

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/05/12/new-amtrak-trains-to-hit-east-coast-tracks/

One problem I have is he statement that Amtrak will be able to use just one type electric motor.  Amtrak has  48 AEM-7s + 15 HHP - 8s + an unknown number of E-60s. That number comes close to the # of ACS-64s of 70.  IMHO the motors left should be parked at strategic locations to cover any unexpected breakdowns of the new motors.  Look how many NEC motor failures delay Regional and LD trains.  

http://news.yahoo.com/amtrak-unveils-locomotives-replace-aging-174941862.html 

EDIT  #2  --   Here is the Amtrak press release

http://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/898/720/Amtrak-Siemens-Locomotive-ATK-13-039.pdf