Siemens Cities Sprinter: The Backbone of America’s Busiest Rail Corridor

[@kristoffermangila]

The Sprinters were the locomotives that brought Siemens Mobility to the forefront of passenger locomotive manufacture in the US.

[@danielchou5895]

Not true lol. The main reason is because EMD and GE weren't focused on passenger anymore.

[@harrisonofcolorado8886]

@@danielchou5895 who were Motive Power INC with their MP passenger locomotives used on commuter trains throughout the years?

[@ishaqmo7200]

@@danielchou5895 then thats why Amtrak didn't choose a local manufacturer. The reason why Siemens is more popular than rotem, Alstom, etc is because of the acs64

[@danielchou5895]

@@ishaqmo7200 No lol. Thats not how things work. Amtrak awards contracts to whoever the lowest bidder is and rotem nor Alstom bidded.

[@danielchou5895]

@@harrisonofcolorado8886 MPI was merged into GE Transportation which was merged with Wabtec. MPI is a subsidiary of Wabtec and they no longer make passenger locomotives. In addition, MPI's MP series of locomotives do not fit Amtrak's needs even though it is not produced anymore.

[@BlazeOner_Bronx]

Big fan my dude, love all your videos! I loved the AME-7, but the ACS-64 is a different beast; I swear when you see them coming toward you, they look like they're ice skating, that's how smooth she looks.

[@NorthCountryTrains]

Enjoyed the commentary. Would be neat to see MBTA or GO sprinters.

[@ryan225360]

MBTA would be a great buy. If they bought a bunch, they could use them on the providence line and look into electrifying a couple other lines too…

[@jbreezy101]

They could buy the charger very similar to the sprinter

[@banksrail]

@@ryan225360 The Providence line isn’t fully electrified in some MBTA stations. So they would have to begin working there. MBTA’s parent company bought around a dozen AEM-7 a couple years back and they sat in storage for a while. Don’t know what ever happened to them.

[@MSNWindows7]

hAhaH -- MBTA moving to electric trains? yeah right -- I'm done with believing this will ever happen.

[@tom-and-mom]

Amtrak could also sell 10 ACS-64s to Union Pacific if they’re interested in electrifying all of their rail lines in California and Arizona with overhead wires which makes UP the first currently operating Class 1 railroad to run electrified freight services in the western US, right?

[@Pensyfan19]

Nice video. Although I have been informed that 662 has supposedly been unwrapped at this time. I think MBTA, MARC, and GO Transit are the most likely customers of ex-Amtrak sprinters. Would be kind of funny to see them on CAHSR or BLW tho.

[@nathanjiang100]

662 is sitting in Wilmington Shops but it’s apparently for a mechanical failure rather than the wrap getting removed.

[@bugno9969]

do MBTA and GO have any plans to electrify their routes?

[@Daniel-hj8el]

​@@bugno9969 Well yes, obviously Bro bro.

[@simonsv9449]

Did you know that the AEM-7’s are actually used by Caltrain for testing the electrification system?

[@TrainsandAdventuresTV]

I can’t believe these things are already on the verge of being scrapped

[@jayo1212]

The AEM-7's were "Swedish Meatballs", so the Cities Sprinters should be "German Frankfurters" and/or "German Bratwursts"!

[@maas1208]

Should Metra buy some AEM-7s from Amtrak, NJ Transit, Septa and Marc

[@simonsv9449]

LOL

[@Daniel-hj8el]

​@@maas1208If it's called EMD AEM-7 then yes Metra would most likely buy these toaster electric locomotives since Metra WON'T buy other components other than Emd.

[@harrisonofcolorado8886]

I firmly remember seeing a video of the ACS-64s being tested in Pueblo Colorado as either an 8 or 9 year old and thinking,"Wow! That's a cool new locomotive! But why is it in Pueblo? I don't think Amtrak even serves pueblo." Nevertheless, I seemed to like the design and I liked the locomotive. I hope to ride behind one of those some day soon.

[@danielchou5895]

All new equipment is tested in Pueblo.

[@harrisonofcolorado8886]

@@danielchou5895 I didn't know that when I saw the video for the first time. That was when I was 8 or 9.

[@whaleguy]

The HHP-8 locos are fascinating. They came along at just the right time that they were immortalized in the original Train Simulator. Who would've known they'd be all phased out?

[@chariseaustin-lucy2039]

Nice Video 6:49 thank you for shout out

[@lamborginiandbuses]

6:51 AYO! That paint scheme is sick and I love it. It would be cool if Amtrak did 2 permanent heritage units like a phase 7 and phase 4 HUs. Probably won’t happen but it’ll be cool so a new permanent 50th anniversary paint scheme unlike having 642 and 600 being the only ones as 662 no longer has the paint and 606 won’t have it for much more longer. Anyways nice video as always!

[@kiefershanks4172]

You are spot on about the possibility of used ACS-64s being bought and refurbished for use by GO transit. I've been calling this for a while. The chances are high as they will have spent big money already just to set up the infrastructure. Either they have existing locomotives refurbished/converted or they buy used. The closest thing to what they need is the ACS-64 (geographically close too). I really, really can't see GO adopting brand new rolling stock right out of the gate once electrification is complete. They will need to turn a profit for a while before the Bombardier bi-level coaches are replaced and brand new locomotives are purchased. Everytime I hear someone say GO will be running EMUs soon, I have a good laugh. That will require a lot more than just stringing up a bunch of catenary wire to make work. The goal is electrification for GO, not a complete change of every piece of infrastructure on their giant network just to accommodate EMUs. They will undoubtedly opt for electric locomotives first before anything else and the ACS-64 is a practical choice both financially and operationally speaking.

[@kiefershanks4172]

@Golden Auto They have a contract with Alstom to build signaling systems, switches and other hardware and integrate it all in the network. There has not been confirmation yet that Alstom rolling stock will be purchased though it is possible.

[@EpicThe112]

Good point and these ACS-64s can do those jobs. Keep in Mind the ACS-64 European version DB BR182 MRCE BR182 ÖBB1116 1016 are used on S-Bahn Wien and Dresden services

[@tom-and-mom]

Why don’t you ask UP to buy some Amtrak ACS-64s for electrified freight runs too?

[@pootispiker2866]

@@tom-and-mom ACS-64s aren't certified to full freight trains. But good try.

[@gloria6229]

The HHP-8s however got a second chance with rebuilds in 2018, but the AEM-7s are currently in storage.

[@KaiHenningsen]

I'd just like to point out that Siemens (or other German companies that have since been bought by Siemens) has provided both EMD and GE with parts for their locomotives since the 1990s, so they are not quite that new to the US railway market.

[@torikicklighter1191]

Beautiful

[@955redavenger]

I rode behind the ACS-64 on the keystone corridor and those things are quick, fast and relatively quite. If you’re sitting behind one, then you’ll hear the inverters and traction motors whining. Still, a very impressive locomotive that has its origins from Europe.

[@DC4260Productions]

I wonder if 662's livery will get updated to promote TSW3.

[@charlesdasilva7860]

Or TSW4

[@jackh3376]

As a Torontonian, I'd love if GO and VIA could purchase some old ACS-64s

[@jonathanj8303]

There's little chance they'll be made available second hand at a remotely economic price given US govt federal investment rules. MARC might take a few, maybe SETPA, but the majority will most likely be stored until they're 25 years old, and then be scrapped because they've spent the last 5-10 years dumped in a siding and are now U/S. Even as it stands, it's kind of amazing that they need 70 locos (ok, there are 68 survivors now, I think) for only 78 trains daily. Some of those trains will have lengthy run times and/or inconvenient layovers, but not all of them.

[@railfanning.productions]

Awesome video! Love to see the Train Sim World footage and great narration!

[@bbtrainproductions1225]

Nice

[@markh1380]

Very good video, im thinking maybe the chargers next?

[@einsesteinpiorosado8071]

!Bravo! Muy buen video, como siempre. Continúa así .

[@thesquirrelthatwentupurass7920]

WWR: Drops video Me: "A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one." 😏

[@Wkay04]

I wish the commuter railroads would switch to EMUs for better acceleration at stops. ACS 64 make sense for longer distance routes but routes with frequent stops should use electric multiple units. Amtrak could also copy zurich and put several locomotives between cars to simulate an EMU.

[@R262SubwayTrain]

Commuter Railroad don't have to be EMU

[@danielchou5895]

amtrak doesnt like EMUs and EMUs cost more to run and maintain. It is not cost effective.

[@Wkay04]

@@danielchou5895 commuter rails should use EMUs not amtrak

[@Wkay04]

@@R262SubwayTrain they're better when they are EMU. When you have closely spaced stops acceleration matters more than just top speed

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

Some of them do use emu's Caltrain is switching to them and go transit might do it later on

[@RADZADproductions]

I’m surprised you didn’t mention NJ transit as a future operator

[@jimsawhill2003]

Or MetroNorth Commuter Railroad...

[@nathancorcoran5347]

These new Electric locomotives are pretty good, like the old AEM-7 locomotives.

[@lamborginiandbuses]

They’re getting another chance for Caltrains electric project. Hope to see one when they’re over there.

[@maas1208]

@@lamborginiandbuses Should Metra buy some AEM-7s from Amtrak, NJ Transit, Septa and Marc

[@CentralMassRailfan]

amazing one sam!

[@mygins5820]

Love the videos keep them coming

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

These are my favorite electric locomotives

[@jwchenard1]

Item 1: Excellent and informative vids. Item 2: There is no such word as "anyways". It's just "anyway".

[@Acela2000]

Stop you’re making me feel old. I can’t believe it’s about to be 10 next year.😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@N00N01]

US equipment uses the steplights frequently as the trains are so slow that u can actually sidestep the highspeed trains after seing the headlights flash-up behind you

[@nasirroper4011]

I think Nj transit will probably take most of the retired sprinters because by that time the existing alp-46’s might be getting phased out

[@uncinarynin]

Considering the ALP46 are based on the German class 101 and that is nearing the end of service now (being replaced by new ICE mostly) it's a possibility.

[@danielchou5895]

NJT will not take them. ALP46s are here to stay and will stay for a long time.

[@nasirroper4011]

@@danielchou5895 I love the 46’s but they can’t run forever my friend

[@simonsv9449]

As the ALP-46’s where built later than the Class 101’s, they are probably going to remain in service longer.

[@sjokomelk]

0:57 - Wow, that's some rough track...

[@derekonxbox]

Not the track. The HHP-8 had a tendency to sway side to side at high speeds. This is supposedly due to the HHP-8 truck design but nothing was ever really done to fix it iirc.

[@bobsykes]

It surprised me that they’ve run for ten years. Interesting thoughts about where these might end up running when sold.

[@Yearofthedeathofhumanity]

The lore for not having #666 is not superstitious (maybe) it’s because Amtrak ordered 70 locomotives if #666 were a thing there would be 71 ACS64’s on Amtrak and maybe because Amtrak is superstitious (idk but maybe).

[@captalec389]

Would NJ Transit be a contender to purchase these once retired from Amtrak?

[@CSLenhart]

What ever happened to number 601? I assume it was scraped after the crash?

[@jayo1212]

It seemed fairly repairable to me...

[@perha45]

I wonder which locomotive they skipped. Numbers 600 through 670 makes 71 locomotives but apparently only 70 were delivered. Oh, if I just had waited I would have learned that 666 was skipped, oops

[@Daniel-hj8el]

My question is what about a Night Owl service a night train that Amtrak re-enter their service between DC ti Boston or possibly other NEW night train service that runs under catenary wire, its NOT just using sprinters for Long distance service. 6:38

[@bugno9969]

The MBTA Providence line would need extra work to use electric locomotives as many of the platforms along the line are only connected to unelectrified tracks parallel to the NEC. Also MARC has seen no mechanical issues with their HHP-8s after they had been refurbished.

[@simonsv9449]

That’s nice, but they almost never use them. They care too much more about money than the environment.

[@pootispiker2866]

The amfleet cars have more door failures than the ACS-64 have mechanical problems.

[@odiliusrailfans]

Considering the US is being a global railway manufacturing market Indonesia may also be affected by the global competition of the European market even though the China, Japan & South Korea Railway Manufacturing Lobby is very strong in Indonesia and why am I explaining this? the first is Stadler, who has a joint venture with INKA to build a factory in Banyuwangi. second, Alstom signed an MoU contract on the MRT and LRT in Jakarta and on September 2, 2022, France looked at the high-speed rail project from Bandung to Surabaya, even though the project had been worked on by Indonesia and China. And Spanish Minister of Transport offers a high-speed rail project in Kalimantan, it is certain that the investors are Renfe and Talgo. but I haven't found any sign of Siemens coming down against Stadler and Alstom

[@gloria6229]

Maybe Canada's Via Rail can purchase some retired ACS-64s for the electrified route in case it has to help an SCV-42 or as I like to call them. SCB-40s.

[@gloria6229]

They can convert some Sprinters into diesel-powered ACS-64s.

[@gloria6229]

Maybe Caltrain could use some Sprinters.

[@simonsv9449]

They purchased Stadler KISS units.

[@AndrewTheRocketCityRailfan4014]

MARC better purchase some ACS-64s, I don’t know why they chose to keep using their HHP-8s instead of buying new ACS-64s, but I do know that what they chose to do was a stupid idea

[@danielchou5895]

MARC doesnt like electric lol.

[@banksrail]

MARC fixed their HHP-8s. They actually took the time to find out what’s wrong.

[@thesixthentrance1429]

I was never a fan of MARC's Penn Line because of that.

[@theelectricwalrus]

Honestly I wonder if MBTA is putting off electrifying the locos on the Providence line until they can get retiring ACS64s from Amtrak

[@simonsv9449]

It should be good timing as it takes time to electrify their tracks on the stations which aren’t electrified.

[@jmpalacios]

Both horsepower and watt are units of power, i.e. amount of energy consumed per unit time (with a wat being 1 joule per second). None of these units are specific to one type of engine, i.e. energy delivery mechanism, or another, even if horsepower is a lot more common with internal combustion engines; you could always give a power output for the latter in watts. Just saying ;)

[@KaiHenningsen]

And in fact, in European car advertisements, you have to. (For locomotives, it's also extremely common to use watt.)

[@evo3s75]

tbh, the Sprinter is for me the only nice looking US train

[@gloria6229]

Maybe Via Rail could purchase some ACS-64s.

[@darksideka]

Nicknamed "The Siemens Shooter's"😳

[@uncinarynin]

Could any ACS64 go to NJ Transit? (I guess they now use Bombardier ALP46 there?)

[@danielchou5895]

Nope

[@banksrail]

Possibly.

[@gloria6229]

You're right Banks Rail. They do have electric wires.

[@gloria6229]

Uh Oh, did I hear a word Daniel Chou wasn't supposed to say?

[@danielchou5895]

@@gloria6229 Why would NJT get ACS64s lmaoooo

[@WoodyWagon]

The AEM7 locomotives were not “infamously reliable”; they were famously reliable. The attack on Pearl Harbor was infamous; The Beatles and John Wayne were famous.

[@gloria6229]

You forgot the Philadelphia Frankfort Junction and Chester Pennsylvania wrecks.

[@mr.conductorfromsts4204]

You can check on AmtrakGuy365’s Engines of Amtrak: Siemens ACS-64.

[@Daniel-hj8el]

0:06 Ayo hello, what about Keystone Corridor?

[@ThreeRiversfan41]

Honestly, the ACS is first favorite Amtrak engine brand

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

If that's the case, why's your profile pic is an AEM7?

[@ThreeRiversfan41]

@@adventuresofamtrakcascades301 that’s when I started to realize that the ACS is now my second favorite engine the first is, of course, the AEM-7

[@charlesdasilva7860]

@@ThreeRiversfan41 Now its a P42DC photo

[@gloria6229]

Altamont Corridor eXpress, Coaster, CTRail, Long Island Railroad, and. Metro-North could use some ACS-64 locomotives.

[@simonsv9449]

If they get electrified, which probably will take a long time until it happens.

[@simonsv9449]

Except for the New Haven Line of course.

[@simonsv9449]

And Long Island Railroad and CTRail already has other plans or rolling stock.

[@gloria6229]

Montreal commuter rail Exo could purchase some of 'em.

[@gloria6229]

They could if Exo wanted to.

[@gloria6229]

@Golden Auto Exo could use the ACS-64s on the Lac-Megantic line.

[@gloria6229]

@Golden Auto Does Exo go to Lac-Megantic? Could ACS-64s go to Lac-Megantic with Exo.

[@StocktonSubber]

Honestly, I don’t think MARC would get Sprinters, given they replaced their AEM7s for SC44s

[@exerosis5758]

There a reason amtrak couldn't have used NJTs ALP45DPs as hybrids rather than making their own? I mean IK Amtrak does their thing but I also don't know how fundamentally viable the 45DPs are for that kind of service.

[@banksrail]

@@T_Hoog The APL45DP is DEFINITELY buy America compliant. If it wasn’t, how would NJT be operating it right now, never mind still receiving deliveries of them. So that can’t be it. Both manufacturers outsource their parts from their production sites in their respective countries. What it really comes down to is the fact that Amtrak and Bombardier don’t have the best relationship after the HHP-8 scandal. Where both side were accusing and suing each other over a beautiful locomotive that obviously had issues. What you did touch base on was “fleet simplification.” Which is the most logical choice. They already have Siemens locomotives and cars. Might as well continue to work with Siemens.

[@gloria6229]

You mean MARC could use them to replace their reliable HHP-8 electrics.

[@lilcattythewildnorwester7786]

I propose if Amtrak can repaint it several ACS 64s into a Heritage unit for the 60th anniversary in 2030 before the retirement new ALC-42E Arrival.

[@alexanderip1003]

But they still pulled those amfleet which were long past their warranty period (design life)

[@marcleslac2413]

Aem7 900 and 903 to 601: first time?

[@robloxfan8638]

I feel like Siemens chargers are producing more pollution because they are diesel locomotives but hopefully they are electric locomotives instead.

[@pootispiker2866]

They are both.

[@lars7935]

Ok but why are american train enthusiasts so obsessed over serial numbers, paint schemes, horns and bells? Isn't service schedule and infrastructure much more important?

[@Train_Chaser-KeiTruckUrbanist]

FINALLY SOMEONE ELSE THAT THINKS LILE M

[@pootispiker2866]

Found the german. "But zere has to be a practical reason to like things!" There's more to like about trains than purely utilitarian traits.

[@tom-and-mom]

7:31 kidackwire

[@MichaelfromtheGraves]

Did SEPTA order more for their new CRRC Bi Level cars? I would prefer SEPTA using EMUs but if using old Amtrak ACS-64s in 10 years and buying more push-pull cars gets the Silverliner IVs out of service, I'll take it.

[@samuelbennie7690]

SEPTA brought their own. I think 13-15 locomotives to pull their soon to come Multilevel’s and their current push -pull runs.

[@zachpetersen9425]

Frankford jct.(601) And Chester(627) are gone actually make 68 ACS 64

[@gloria6229]

Nope.

[@helpmeoctopus]

i thought they would last about 40 years

[@KaiHenningsen]

They probably will - it's just that the US has so much non-electrified track, that it seems Amtrak prefers locomotives that they can use everywhere. I don't really get the American anti-electrification sentiments; if it really were uneconomical, why is it all over Europe and the former USSR, including routes longer than anything in North America, for many decades now?

[@MarioFanGamer659]

@@KaiHenningsen Freight companies, presumably. Private operators which also own their rails, high frontup costs (the biggest reason) and not much capacity (single lined tracks - electrification is worth at a somewhat high use of rails) don't bring in many justifications for electrification.

[@KaiHenningsen]

@@MarioFanGamer659 Yeah, having (some) main routes single-tracked also seems like a rather bad idea. Capacity would much more than double by adding a second track. And *they know this,* as other routes *are* double-tracked or even more. I dunno. US rail is just weird in so many ways.

[@stekra3159]

As and austian I live how america is buying trains decent from Taurus and railjets.

[@danielchou5895]

American built trains are "decent" too yk

[@niteshsharma8493]

Currently indian electrified 80% it's railway

[@F40M07]

*A C S*

[@radanju3]

Knowing how stubborn MBTA, MARC, and GO are, they're better off giving them to Deseret Power or something.. Even with dying companies like them, they would seem to be more willing to take anything for a few more years before they go offline, since commuters like aging equipment for some reason...

[@radanju3]

@Golden Auto I know, it was more of a joke, because it seems most commuter rails over the recent years have gotten mediocre fleet upgrades, so I'm not complaining if that's about to change (hopefully) for the better..

[@kyanolshove6627]

Glad to see our tax dollars being spent replacing a brand new fleet of engines that didn't need to be replaced, that they also can't sell all of.

[@pootispiker2866]

10 years old isn't brand new, snowflake.

[@xxTheminemanxx]

Its fucking stupid that amtrak will retire the acs64. You must electrify more lines, not buy dual mode locos. Should we seriously buy diesel trains that given usa lack of funding for railroads will be until 2040-2050?

[@jayo1212]

All of their lines are electrified.

[@pootispiker2866]

@@jayo1212 Amtrak lines are not all electrified.

[@ふみもん]

the only good looking locomotive in America besides the Acela, Brightline and Stadler Flirts, seriously why do all other american trains have to have such ugly designs

[@thesixthentrance1429]

The EMD F40PHs, EMD F59PHIs and EMD AEM-7s are great looking too.

[@TWF1003]

can you stop mispronouncing the years it's 2,020 not 20/20.

[@JGrandcourt]

Good luck changing the world.

[@moderntrainhornsounds148]

@@JGrandcourt Well the world is wrong.

[@TWF1003]

did you go to school where you learned about 4 digit numbers

[@pootispiker2866]

@@moderntrainhornsounds148 Weirdo.

[@moderntrainhornsounds148]

@@pootispiker2866 NO YOU!!!!!

[@torikicklighter1191]

Beautiful