Commentary

Amtrak: New Equipment Brings New Challenges

Having worked into Washington D.C. Union Station from the South my entire Amtrak career as a locomotive engineer, I’m excited yet apprehensive about the acquisition of dual-power and battery-hybrid motive power and integrated trainsets from Siemens Mobility, because it’s going to require the type of commitment to maintenance and service that’s historically been haphazard at Amtrak, at best.

From Siemens: Amtrak’s Next-Gen Trainsets

Amtrak has awarded Siemens Mobility $3.4 billion in contracts to design, manufacture and provide technical support services and maintenance for 83 trainsets of two power configurations, with options for up to 130 additional trainsets. For Siemens, it is the company’s largest North American contract in history. For Amtrak, its total investment, with a long-term parts supply and service agreement, facility modifications and upgrades, and contingencies, is $7.3 billion. Deliveries are slated to commence in 2024.

Amtrak Debuts Long-Distance Train Improvements

Amtrak unveiled refreshed railcar interiors and other onboard improvements for riders this week at Chicago Union Station, as part of a three-year, $28 million initiative to modernize more than 450 long-distance service cars.

Amtrak, MDOT to Boost Track Speed—and Service

Amtrak and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will increase the maximum speed of Amtrak Midwest service to 110 mph on more of the Detroit/Pontiac-Chicago corridor starting May 25, and add another Wolverine roundtrip on July 19.

New Sound Transit LRVs Enter Service

The first of Sound Transit’s 152 new Series 2 light rail vehicles from Siemens Mobility have been launched into revenue service.

Supply Side: PS Technology, Savage, Siemens

PS Technology (PST) has designed and supplied 3D simulation training to Savage for its rail yard and industrial switching operations; Savage has established a team to work on renewable energy assets and services projects; and Siemens Mobility has acquired Software as a Service (SaaS) provider Padam Mobility.

Amtrak: Siemens Preferred Bidder on ‘Generational Procurement’

Siemens Mobility has been selected as the preferred bidder to replace a large portion of Amtrak’s aging single-level railcar fleet.

Siemens Launches Component Catalog, ‘Docuseries’

Siemens Mobility has released its first consolidated online catalog of railcar and locomotive components for rolling stock manufacturers, OEMs and operators, as well as the first of a four-part “docuseries” showcasing the “importance of American rail investment.”

Wabtec Equipping London Underground’s New Piccadilly Fleet

Siemens Mobility has selected Wabtec Corp. to provide components for the 94 new nine-car Inspiro trains it is supplying as part of the London Underground’s Piccadilly Upgrade Program.

Siemens, Infineon Partner on SiC Technology

Siemens Mobility and Infineon Technologies AG have jointly developed new auxiliary converters to improve the efficiency of onboard power systems using power semiconductors based on silicon carbide (SiC).

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