News column - 1
March 2014:
The latest model railroad products, news & events
by Richard Bale and Jeff Shultz
New Electric
Locos for Amtrak
The first of 70 Siemens-
built electric locomotives
entered service on Amtrak’s
Northeast Regional dis-
trict early last month. The
new state-of-the-art locomotives will serve Amtrak’s Northeast
Corridor at speeds up to 125 mph. Eventually they will also be
assigned to Keystone Service between New York, Philadelphia,
and Harrisburg PA. The locomotives will be assembled in
Sacramento, CA.
The locomotives are designed for improved reliability and easier
maintenance leading to faster turn-around times and increased
availability for service. A microprocessor system performs self-
diagnoses of technical issues, takes self-corrective action and
notifies the locomotive engineer. In addition, there are redun-
dant systems to ensure power is maintained to the passenger
