Siemens said that the first SC-44 Charger diesel-electric passenger locomotives for the California Department of Transportation will begin revenue testing on the Sacramento-Oakland-San Jose Capitol Corridor before the end of April.
One of the first locomotives was on public display at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento April 18-19, coinciding with the California Passenger Rail Summit, which is being held in the city.
Caltrans will receive six of the 4,400-hp locomotives for operation on Amtrak's Capitol Corridor and Pacific Surfliner services.
The four-axle AC traction Charger is the first locomotive to be equipped with Cummins’ QSK 95 power unit. The 95-litre 16-cylinder engine is equipped with Cummins’ Modular Common Rail Fuel System with quad-turbocharging. The QSK95 also features Selective Catalytic Reduction exhaust aftertreatment, ensuring compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency's Tier 4 emissions standards. The Charger is rated for a top speed of 125 mph.
Besides Caltrans, Siemens is building Charger locomotives at its Sacramento, Calif., facility for transportation agencies in Illinois, Washington, and Maryland.