Amtrak ALC-42 'Chargers' Testing on the Empire Builder

Everyone seems to enjoy the ALC-42 test run videos, so I decided to put them all into a single compilation documenting their tests on the Empire Builder!
It was a very rough start, but as Siemens irons out the bugs and other glitches, the ALC-42s are to be a reliable locomotive that many railfans, railroaders, passengers, and passersby will get used to seeing for the next couple decades at the very least.

[@sunnysiderails397]

WOW that night scene at about 1 minute with the Amtrak and the lit up trees is just AWESOME!!!

[@divox9pqr]

Looking forward to having the ALC-42’s on my trip to Seattle later next year

[@benedmonson3445]

Rode #7 10/1 Chicago to Whitefish Mt &.#28 10/5 back to Chicago. New ALC42's pulling both ways. You cannot believe you are moving unless you look out the window . First sleeper on way out & last sleeper on return. Very smooth ride & excellent food both ways. Good Amtrak employee service .

[@DavidBeckerSr]

Great night shots! Beautiful new Engines!

[@DavidBeckerSr]

Such great shots, earned you a subscribe!❤

[@historyman5058]

Very nice work! I live near Seattle but I haven't yet seen one. One the few occasions that i trek the 10 miles to see #8, a plain P42 is always in charge. So your videos help. Thank you .

[@MGRailVideos]

Thanks for the feedback! When it comes to catching the ALC-42s, lately it's been very hit or miss on when they go out. Previously the test runs were rather predictable, but now they've been leaving/arriving whenever Amtrak wishes. I hear the 301 is back out and about as well!

[@EMDSD14R]

Great video!

[@ellebystrainvideos2023.]

Awesome video!

[@stevesharrow4172]

Seems like the Genesis were doing the pulling on most of these runs from the sound of it

[@avi8r263]

I happened to be on board the march 6th one, second sleeper car after the baggage!

[@nunziocalapai8897]

Molto bello questo video Hai guadagnato un iscritto 😉 Saluti dall'Italia

[@easternroutemainlinevideos6823]

Sweet!

[@SkepticalGames14]

Nice what camera do you use for video recording

[@kringebirds]

question: so where did you take all these amazing videos of the alc42s

[@MGRailVideos]

Most videos were from Morton Grove and Glenview, IL. 0:38 was at Northbrook, on the other hand.

[@pacificostudios]

Does anyone know why the ALC-42s were not first tried out on something like the Hiawatha Service? The SC-44 has been working fine in corridor service, but the Builder route, climbing two mountain ranges and operating thousands of miles from an Amtrak engine maintenance facility is asking a lot of a new design.

[@Nobodyyounowknow]

Probably because that’s exactly what they’re designed for. It doesn’t really make sense to test a long-distance design on shorter routes when they already have the SC-44s to prove it works there.

[@pacificostudios]

@@Nobodyyounowknow - Actually, its traditional to try out new designs on shorter runs -- if for no other reason than to keep the engine close to the shop in case it breaks down. I've seen videos where Amtrak is running two SC-44s and two P42s on the same train, which is a sad commentary on the state of both engine types. Recently, a P42 turbo broke and spread oil all over the Cal Zephyr, spoiling the mountain views for everyone, and also requiring a freight engine to pinch-hit for the climb over the Rockies.

[@ashIibabbitt1111]

​@@pacificostudiosThese locomotives were first tested on shorter runs in California, same state as their manufacturer Siemens is located, well before coming out east for the Empire Builder and other more challenging routes.

[@pacificostudios]

@@ashIibabbitt1111 - The ALC-42s were tested on short runs, and not the SC44s? I have never seen an ALC-42 pulling a Surfliner, and I ride it all the time.

[@OxnardLocalRailfan]

Hate the ALCs, Love their horns

[@ashIibabbitt1111]

Why the hate? I think the look and sound awesome.

[@ItsAngelHyde]

why?