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The Siemens SC-44 Charger 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.
The SC-44 Charger locomotive is powered by a 4,400 hp Cummins 16 cylinder diesel engine, which is designed to meet EPA Tier IV emissions standards that took effect in 2015. Top speed in service is 125 mph.
There are 61 SC-44 Charger locomotives on order for Amtrak: 20 for California to use on the Capitol Corridor and San Joaquin, 8 for Washington to use on the Cascades, and 33 for Illinois, Michigan, Missouri for their services such as the Hiawatha Service, Wolverine, and Missouri River Runner.
This locomotive could eventually replace the P42 which is aging. The main difference between the SC-44 configured for corridor service such as the Cascades, is a larger 2,200 gallon fuel tank as opposed to the 1,800 US gallon tank on the corridor locomotive.
These Charger units are arriving in Albuquerque, New Mexico on train number 4, the Southwest Chief. After uncoupling the two lead engines, they proceed north on Main 2 a short distance away. The third locomotive along with the two charger units and an Amtrak Horizon car used by the crew, are uncoupled from the main train and parked on track three. Later that evening they will travel north to the Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, Colorado for testing.
The two lead locomotives are then coupled back onto the Southwest Chief and after servicing, will proceed eastbound to Chicago.
