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Feature06 November 2015,
updated02 May 2017Siemens Mobility GmbHMunich
In 2014, the Departments of Transportation of California, Illinois and Maryland ordered an initial lot of 34 Charger locomotives from Siemens, with an option for a total of 222 locomotives. The contract back then was valued at approximately €165 million ($225 million). Due to orders from other states as well as by the private rail operator All Aboard Florida, the total number of Chargers ordered amounts to 81 in 2017. The locomotives are deployed in corridors of the US states for regional and mainline trains travelling for Caltrains (California) as Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, in Washington as Amtrak Cascades and in Maryland with the regional network MARC. Under the "Brightline" brand, ten Chargers are being deployed in high-speed rail services between Miami and West Palm Beach; Orlando is due to follow at a later date.
Press Pictures
Most environmentally friendly diesel locomotive for high-speed transport in the USA
In 2014, the Departments of Transportation of California, Illinois and Maryland ordered an initial lot of 34 Charger locomotives from Siemens, with an option for a total of 222 locomotives. Due to orders from other states as well as by the private rail operator All Aboard Florida, the total number of Chargers ordered amounts to 81.
On tour deployed in corridors of the U.S.
The locomotives are deployed in corridors of the U.S., including Illinois (in the picture), by Caltran (California) as Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, in Washington as Amtrak Cascades and in Maryland with the regional network operator MARC.
Strong performance for the U.S.
The Charger locomotive reaches a tractive effort on starting of 290 kN with a weight of around 120 tons. The Cummins QSK95 diesel engine is 4,400 hp-rated. These U.S. locomotives are based technically on the Siemens Eurosprinter, Eurorunner and Vectron locomotive platforms.
Videos
Test driving of the charger locomotives by Siemens
A variety of tests and validation exercises including maximum speed runs, acceleration and braking and the overall performance capabilities of the locomotive are conducted to ensure it is operating and performing as designed.