Siemens Charger streamlined unit (ALC-42/ ALC-42E/ SC-44, SCB-40, SCV-42 & SC-42DM) Profile and Models
AMTK 314 at Portland, Oregon in June 2023. ©Ron Reiring
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The Siemens Charger is a family of diesel-electric passenger locomotives designed and manufactured by Siemens Mobility for the North American market. There are five variants of the Charger, tailored for different operators and types of service: ALC-42 for Amtrak long-distance service, ALC-42E dual mode for Amtrak inter-city and long-distance routes that serve the Northeast Corridor, SC-44 for Amtrak state-supported inter-city service or commuter rail operators, SCB-40 for Brightline inter-city service and SCV-42 for VIA Rail inter-city service in Canada. The first production Charger, a SC-44, was unveiled on March 26, 2016, and entered revenue service on August 24, 2017. It was followed by the SCB-40, which inaugurated Brightline service on January 13, 2018. The first ALC-42 was delivered to Amtrak on June 17, 2021 and entered revenue service on February 8, 2022 on the Empire Builder. The Charger is often paired with Venture passenger cars, also built by Siemens, as part of a trainset. |
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Type of Locomotive |
Diesel-Electric/ Dual Mode |
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Builder |
Siemens Mobility |
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Build Dates |
2016 to Present |
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Total Built |
377 |
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Tractive Effort |
65,000lbf |
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Power Output |
4,000hp (SCB-40) 4,200hp (ALC-42 & SCV-42) 4,400hp (SC-44) |
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Top Speed |
125mph |
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Wheel Configuration |
Bo-Bo |
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Operated By |
Altamont Corridor Express Amtrak Amtrak Midwest Brightline California Department of Transportation Coaster Exo MARC Metro-North Railroad Ontario Northland Via Rail Canada Washington State Department of Transportation |
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Main Duties |
Regional & Express Passenger |
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In Service Until |
Present |
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Surviving Examples |
Most in service, others under construction 1 scrapped following a crash |
Amtrak
Altamont Corridor Express
