ALC-42 Diesel Electric Locomotive

Prototype Information

The Siemens ALC-42 (Amtrak Long-distance Charger, 4,200 HP) is a next-generation diesel-electric locomotive built by Siemens Mobility in Sacramento, California. It was developed to replace Amtrak’s aging fleet of General Electric P42DC locomotives, which had been in service since the 1990s. The ALC-42 offers more power, better fuel efficiency, and significantly lower emissions, making it a major upgrade for Amtrak’s long-distance routes.

In 2018, Amtrak initiated plans to modernize its fleet and address the growing need for more reliable and environmentally friendly locomotives. A year later, Siemens secured a contract to build 75 ALC-42 locomotives, valued at around $850 million, with options for additional units. Production began in 2020 at Siemens’ Sacramento facility, and the first units were delivered to Amtrak in 2021. These initial locomotives featured a sleek new livery known as “Phase VI,” characterized by a striking blue and silver color scheme with bold red accents.

Revenue service began in February 2022, with the ALC-42 making its debut on the Empire Builder route. Over the following year, Amtrak expanded the use of these locomotives to other long-distance routes such as the California Zephyr and Southwest Chief, gradually phasing out the older P42DC models.