Siemens Charger

Siemens SC-44 Charger

IDTX No. 4601 and IDTX No. 4602 at the Denver Union Station.
Type and origin
Power type Diesel-electric
Builder Siemens Mobility
Order number Amtrak State Corridor: 69 (194)
Brightline: 10 (11)
Build date 2016-
Specifications
AAR wheel arr. B-B
UIC class Bo′Bo′
Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Trucks Siemens model SF4
Wheel diameter 44 in (1,118 mm)
Minimum curve 250 ft 0 in (76.20 m)
Wheelbase 32 ft 6 in (9.91 m) (between truck centers)
Length 71 ft 6 in (21.79 m)
Width 10 ft 0 in (3.05 m)
Height 12 ft 6 in (3.81 m) (roof)
14 ft 4 in (4.37 m) (roof shroud)
Axle load 67,500 lb (30,617 kg)
Adhesive weight 100%
Loco weight 264,556 lb (120,001 kilograms)
Fuel type Diesel
Fuel capacity 1,800 US gal (6,800 l; 1,500 imp gal) (Standard)
Larger tanks available up to
2,200 US gal (8,300 l; 1,800 imp gal)
Prime mover Cummins QSK95
RPM range 600-1800
Engine type 45° V16, four stroke cycle
Aspiration Turbocharged
Displacement 95 liters (5,800 cu in)[1]
Traction motors Siemens AC Traction Motors
Cylinders 16
Cylinder size 5.9375 liters (362.33 cu in)
Transmission AC-DC-AC
MU working Yes
Train heating Locomotive-supplied head-end power; 1,000 kW (1,300 hp) 3-phase, 60 Hz, 480 VAC, 1000 kVA
Loco brake Dynamic / Regenerative / Electropneumatic
Train brakes Electropneumatic
Safety systems FRA standards
ACSES II
Performance figures
Maximum speed 125 mph (201 km/h)
Power output At alternator:
4,400 hp (3,300 kW) Short-Time
4,200 hp (3,100 kW) Continuous[2]
At wheel (HEP dependent):
~4,000 hp (3,000 kW)
to
~2,900 hp (2,200 kW)
Tractive effort Starting:
290 kN (65,000 lbf)
Factor of adh. 4.07 (24.57%)
Career
Operators Amtrak, Brightline, MARC Train
Official name Charger
Data refers to the following except where noted:[3][4]

The Siemens SC-44 Charger[5] is a diesel-electric passenger locomotive designed and manufactured by Siemens Mobility for the North American market. The first production unit was unveiled on March 26, 2016.[6]

Design

The SC-44 Charger locomotive is powered by a 4,400 hp (3,300 kW) Cummins 16 cylinder QSK95 4-stroke high speed diesel engine, which is designed to meet EPA Tier IV emissions standards that took effect in 2015.[7] Top speed in service as per PRIIA specifications is 125 mph (201 km/h).[8] The overall design and layout of the locomotive is shared heavily with its electric counterparts in Europe (the Vectron) and the United States (the ACS-64), diesel equipment aside. Power to the AC traction motors is delivered from the main alternator via four IGBT inverters (one per motor), with head-end power being supplied by a static inverter off of the main prime mover. The locomotive also features dynamic braking with regenerative capability, allowing the locomotive to divert power generated by dynamic braking away from the resistor grids to HEP and on board locomotive auxiliary power demands.[3]

In response to a 2013 RFI from Metro-North Railroad, Siemens indicated the possibility of producing a dual-mode variant of the Charger with onboard energy storage for use by Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road as well as intercity service on the Empire Corridor.[9]

Customers

Amtrak (state corridors)

The Illinois Department of Transportation, in conjunction with its counterparts in California, Michigan, Missouri and Washington, purchased 32 locomotives for corridor service operated by Amtrak in March 2014. Included in this $225 million order are options for an additional 75 corridor-configured locomotives and 150 locomotives configured for long distance service,[10] with the long distance locomotive being fitted with a larger 2,200 US gallons (8,300 l; 1,800 imp gal) fuel tank as opposed to the 1,800 US gallons (6,800 l; 1,500 imp gal) tank on the corridor locomotive.[8]

In November 2015, the states exercised the option to purchase 29 more locomotives. Out of 61 locomotives ordered, 20 will go to California, 8 to Washington state, and 33 to Illinois/Michigan/Missouri.[11]

MARC

MARC announced in August 2015 that it is seeking $58 million to purchase eight locomotives to replace their aging electric fleet, with deliveries planned for late 2017.[12] The purchase was approved by the Maryland Board of Public Works on September 16, 2015.[13] The MARC order uses part of the Amtrak state-corridor options.

Brightline

Brightline purchased ten locomotives with options for an additional eleven.[11][14] The locomotives will be used in pairs, bookending five passenger cars (expandable to seven) on a new rail system between MiamiCentral and Orlando International Airport Intermodal Terminal. The locomotives for Brightline are built with a streamlined front end, concealing the front coupler behind doors.[15]

Proposed

Northern Lights Express, a proposed higher-speed passenger service in Minnesota, has tabbed Charger locomotives to power the train when it opens in 2020. However, no purchase has been made.[16]

References

  1. ↑ "QSK95 For U.S. EPA Tier 4/EU Stage IIIB And EPA Tier 3/EU Stage IIIA". Cummins. 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Re: Protest Concerning Multi-State Locomotive Procurement #14-1-DPIT". Electro-Motive Diesel. February 3, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  3. 1 2 "Charger Diesel-Electric Locomotive: All Aboard Florida" (PDF). Siemens Mobility. 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Charger Diesel-Electric Locomotive: IDOT, Caltrans, WSDOT" (PDF). Siemens Mobility. 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  5. ↑ Guss, Chris (July 2016). "SC-44s on the horizon". Trains. 76 (7): 17.
  6. ↑ "Siemens unveils first complete Charger locomotive". Railway Gazette. 30 March 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  7. ↑ TRAINS Magazine (19 February 2016). "Siemens Charger locomotive receives a Cummins engine" – via YouTube.
  8. 1 2 "Specification for Diesel-Electric Passenger Locomotives" (PDF). Amtrak. July 10, 2012. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  9. ↑ "A.4 Technical Explanation for 110 MPH Sustained Speed". A.4 Technical Explanation for 110 MPH Sustained Speed. Federal Railroad Administration. Retrieved September 16, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Siemens wins an additional locomotive contract in the USA" (PDF) (Press release). Berlin, Germany: Siemens Mobility. March 18, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  11. 1 2 "More Siemens Charger diesel locomotives ordered". Railway Gazette. November 9, 2015. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  12. ↑ Dresser, Michael (August 8, 2015). "MTA seeks $58 million for new MARC engines". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Board Of Public Works Approves $58 Million Contract For Eight MARC Locomotives" (Press release). Baltimore, Maryland: Maryland Transit Administration. September 17, 2015. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  14. ↑ "All Aboard Florida Selects Siemens as Train Manufacturer" (Press release). Sacramento, California: Siemens Mobility. September 11, 2014. Retrieved September 23, 2014.
  15. ↑ First look: Rail cars for new Florida passenger train. USA Today, 2016-06-10
  16. ↑ "Northern Lights Express Conference in Duluth 2015". December 16, 2015. Retrieved December 17, 2015.

Further reading

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