Chargers Recharging. On Friday, August 26, 2022, the Amtrak California Zephyr was powered exclusively by Siemens ALC-42s for the first time. AMTK 301 (First Day, 50th Anniversary) and 309 (... (more)

A seagull and I observe the Amtrak 301 at rest in Seattle. Starbucks headquarters are visible behind.

Fall Arrival: The Portland section of the Amtrak Empire Builder approaches its destination of Portland Union Station as it passes BNSF's Lake Yard on a cool fall morning. Leading the train ... (more)

The westbound Empire Builder begins it’s trip out of Chicago to Seattle with three of Amtrak’s new long distance chargers at the point, and the 50th anniversary up front.

Running nearly six hours late, the Portland section of the Empire Builder passes some BNSF ballast cars at Lyle. The snow on the nose has likely been aboard since Montana.

Led by "Day 1” heritage unit 301, the Portland section of the Empire Builder rolls to a stop at Wishram. Running nearly six hours late, the train will likely reach its final stop at Union Statio... (more)

A New Chapter for the California Zephyr
ALC-42 AMTK 301 leads an all star cast of brand new power including 309, 313, and 314 and test car among the usual consist and not a GE P42 ... (more)

First Day On The Zephyr. On Friday, August 26, 2022, the Amtrak California Zephyr was powered exclusively by Siemens ALC-42s for the first time. AMTK 301 (First Day, 50th Anniversary) and 3... (more)

In what looks more like a scene from a model train layout, Amtrak ran 4 Chargers on point when the California Zephyr 6 train headed to Denver, Colorado. It was odd not seeing the venerable P42's o... (more)

Siemens Amtrak engine 301 (ALC-42 Charger) sits beyond the platform as tonight's California Zephyr 6 train was too long to fit into Denver's Union Station. There were 4 charger engines and extra ... (more)

Four new Siemens ALC-42 Chargers were on point tonight leading the California Zephyr 6 train as it headed down the hill from Tunnel 1 on its way to Denver's Union Station.

There was a changing of the guard tonight as the California Zephyr 6 train exited the East Portal of the Moffat Tunnel using only the new Siemens ALC-42 Charger. The cold rain and low clouds did ... (more)

Siemens ALC-42 50th anniversary locomotive leads the consist on Amtrak No. 6, the California Zephyr. Also included are AMTK 309, 313, and 314. Only 301 and 309 were on-line. The other two locos we... (more)

Amtrak's California Zephyr charges eastbound at the Benicia Bridge with Amtrak #301 leading three new ACS-64 locomotives towards Sacramento and points east to Chicago. This is the first time one o... (more)

Amtrak’s Empire Builder, train 7, is westbound over the Cut Bank Judith River Trestle on May 22. The train is led by 50th Anniversary Day 1 scheme, Amtrak ALC-42 301, along with the ALC-42 302 ... (more)