Sen. Carper Previews New Amtrak Locomotive

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) previewed the new Amtrak Cities Sprinter (ACS-64) locomotive at the Amtrak Wilmington Maintenance Facility today. The new locomotive is undergoing comprehensive testing before entering service this fall where it will improve reliability, efficiency and mobility for intercity rail passengers traveling on the Northeast and Keystone Corridors.

“Amtrak’s new locomotives will provide greater reliability to our country’s passenger rail system,” said Sen. Carper. “Not only is passenger rail service an affordable and convenient way to get to work, visit family, or go on vacation, but it also helps reduce our dependence on foreign oil, improves air quality, and eases traffic congestion. These improvements are a win-win for our rail system.”

Sen. Carper met with Amtrak Vice President of Northeast Corridor Infrastructure and Investment Development Stephen Gardner and members of the Amtrak and Siemens project team to see improved features of the locomotive including a regenerative braking system that will feed energy back into the power grid.

Amtrak contracted with Siemens to design and manufacture 70 next-generation locomotives. They will replace existing locomotives that have been in service for 25-35 years with an average of 3.5 million miles traveled.

Using Siemens’ innovative and proven rail technology, the Amtrak Cities Sprinter (ACS-64) locomotives are being assembled in Siemens’ Sacramento, Calif., rail manufacturing plant powered by renewable energy, with parts built from nearly 70 suppliers, representing more than 60 cities and 23 states including suppliers from Mid-Atlantic states.

The new locomotives will operate on Northeast Regional trains at speeds up to 125 mph on the Northeast Corridor along the Washington – New York – Boston route and on Keystone Service trains at speeds up to 110 mph on the Keystone Corridor from Philadelphia to Harrisburg, Pa. In addition, the new locomotives will power all long-distance trains operating on the NEC.