Amtrak continues to improve services with upgraded National Network fleet
Posted: 5 June 2018 | Global Railway Review | 1 comment
The new or rebuilt locomotives that will be used for the National Network diesel fleet will provide more reliability, a smoother ride and improved safety features…
Amtrak's P-42 locomotive
With the demand for their services increasing, Amtrak is planning to either acquire new locomotives or rebuild its current diesel fleet to supplement and replace its aging National Network diesel locomotive fleet used on long distance and some state supported routes.
In a Request for Proposals (RFP), Amtrak will rebuild its current diesel fleet or purchase a minimum of 50 to 75 next-generation locomotives, with the option to rebuild or acquire additional units. The locomotives will offer upgraded safety features, have increased horsepower and emission levels as low as possible.
“Our diesel locomotive fleet is nearing the end of its life expectancy and we must now modernise Amtrak for the future,” said Amtrak President and CEO, Richard Anderson. “We expect any new, state-of-the art locomotive to offer improved reliability, a smoother ride, improved safety features and make major contributions towards lowering emissions. We’ll also consider how rebuilding options of the current fleet could achieve these goals.”
The rebuilt or new locomotives will primarily replace Amtrak’s aging P40 and P42 locomotives, some of which have been in service for more than 25 years. As part of the contract award for the locomotives, Amtrak will seek to enter into a multi-year ‘Technical Support, Spares and Supply Agreement’ to ensure an optimal and cost-effective maintenance strategy.
Amtrak is working hard to make immediate changes to the customer experience with improvements including refreshed trains, new fare structures, improved on-time performance, enhanced Wi-Fi connectivity, upgraded facilities and expanded onboard experience options.
Additionally, the rebuilt or new locomotives are part of the long-term upgrades that include buying modern Acela trainsets, ongoing improvements at New York Penn Station and the new Moynihan Train Hall and further development of stations in Chicago, Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Philadelphia.
Related topics
Infrastructure Developments, Passenger Experience/Satisfaction, Rolling Stock Maintenance, Rolling Stock Orders/Developments
So good to see Amtrak alive and kicking after its difficult start in the 1970’s! Just researched the way things went along the Northeast Corridor -and its very far from stressful existence since- for a book on the Baldwin/ Westinghouse Dutch and Spanish offspring from electric traction at the end of the Pennsylvania RR reign followed by that difficult starting period during the takeover of electric Inter-City passenger services by Amtrak. The long and winding road from initially using the Pennsylvania RR GG1 via the New Haven Ep-5 and then the new Amtrak traction, the E-60, the AEM-7 and beyond. What a story and what a quality of people to have got everything this far with such panache. Well done everyone!