Amtrak Empire Builder 8 Has The Lead Engine Fail And Sets Out The Engine In Milwaukee WI 1-12-2024

Рет қаралды 39,665

6 ай бұрын

During a heavy snow storm in Wisconsin on January 12th 2024, Amtrak Empire Builder as it was making its way east to Chicago had the lead engine, Siemens Charger ALC-42 #313 have a computer issue that stopped the train in the middle of the state. After a few hours they were able to get the engine to run but only in notch 1. They decided to limp their way to Milwaukee so they could set out the engine where they would have the ability to deadhead it back to Chicago for repairs.
The video was filmed with a Samsung S22 Ultra in 4K @ 60fps with the audio recorded in stereo on a Tascam Portacapture X8 in 32bit floating.
If you have a home theater system, please enjoy this video in 4K in surround sound as the audio is mastered to fill your Dolby Atmos systems.
Copyright 2024 RailDog Productions, all rights reserved.

Пікірлер: 108

@wattheheck6010 6 ай бұрын

Love the Milwaukee Inter-modal Station. Great presentation. Thanks.

@apollosaturn5 6 ай бұрын

I don't know what's going on with the Siemens engines manufactured in North America, they seems so finicky. They see a snow flake and they start to have problems. For what I've heard the Siemens engines manufactured in Europe have a reputation of reliability. And who got to replaced the faulty Charger, old reliable P42. Just like the HHP-8s, when they broke the old reliable AEM-7s had to do their job.

@raildogproductions 6 ай бұрын

What I have been told is Amtrak have their own specifications for these engines which differ from the ones in Europe. From the first year of them running the Siemens engines they have been having less problems lately. I just like that they are using the trains that pass by me so I can see the change to the new engines in person.

@yankeesforlife24 6 ай бұрын

They were badly produced. they are also the first ones that were required to be tier 4 complaint so a whole new untested engine. Doesn’t help that GE removed themselves from the passenger market after the p42. Isn’t almost all of Europe on electric anyways? This is a diesel engine which again doesn’t help the situation unfortunately. To be fair though, the p42s had teething issues for years before they were finally figured out.

@jfmezei 6 ай бұрын

The requiredment to have "Made in USA" means the components for which a piece of equipmemt was engineered for and tested in Europe cannot be used and they need to swap a lot of the engine/rail car with parts from newbie providers in USA. Similarly, because FRA won't recognice UIC international standards, it means that every piece of equipment needs to have significant changes to meet FRA stadards setup to help protect Budd and Pulman companies that were steel based. This means much work is needed and beause of differences as well as different components, any new piece of equipment of Siemens, Alstom and others is really new piece of equipment and not justr imported designs that are assembled in USA. This means lots of teething problems for a new product that was marketed as a sure thing because they were imported a time tested model (but once the USA rules kick in, that is no longer the case).

@xheralt 6 ай бұрын

We could have had the Talgo manufacturing plant in Milwaukee, producing locomotives, but no, Republicans killed it (because it was a Democratic initiative) and went with the FoxConn boondoggle instead, 10x expenditure for 1/10x the return, and out in the exurbs instead of in the city. But tell me again how they represent the "common man".

@davidng2336 6 ай бұрын

IDK how bad the ACS-64s are but now that no AEM-7s are left there is no longer an option for fill in if an ACS-64 breaks.

@mikelustig9793 6 ай бұрын

Boy do I miss the F40PH's. Best locomotive Amtrak owned

@douglasskaalrud6865 6 ай бұрын

You’ve got the wrong F’s. Even an FT is better than an F40.

@mikelustig9793 6 ай бұрын

@douglasskaalrud6865 I'm talking about Locomotives Amtrak purchased new

@johnbigelson7471 5 ай бұрын

@@douglasskaalrud6865 What on earth are you talking about? The FT is a 1930s loco with 1350 hp. The F40PH is a 1970s loco with 3000 hp. Not even the same class.

@chasemorace161 5 ай бұрын

Good ol P42s still getting it done 👍 And better looking too.

@NovejSpeed3 6 ай бұрын

Trains in snow at night instant like button press!

@raildogproductions 6 ай бұрын

I am glad you enjoy Trains is snow like I do. I have many videos of Trains in the snow on the channel.

@papageoffsamerica 6 ай бұрын

Appreciate the video ✅ I haven't seen a lot of positive feedback on the Siemens units. Rather most has been negative and moderate to severe weather related. I'm now "Subscribed" to the channel 👍 Papa Geoff - UP Spring Subdivision | Houston Texas. Here we go ... 🚦🚦

@raildogproductions 6 ай бұрын

I am close by and have watched Amtrak transition from the P42's to the Siemens first on the Hiawatha and now the Builder. They will at some point resolve the issues. With VIA now using them in much worse weather they will have more data to work with. During this storm, just west of here had 12" of wet snow. I am editing videos from that in Elm Grove. Thanks for watching and subscribing. This channel is one of my hobbies and is all about sharing the world of railroading that I get to see.

@stephenkeever6029 6 ай бұрын

Great sound! It was really immersive and felt like I was there.

@raildogproductions 6 ай бұрын

I use a Tascam 32bit stereo recording device which puts you in the scene. I make these videos to watch in my home theater in surround sound.

@AndreiTupolev 6 ай бұрын

That's the best Charger sound I've heard yet!

@douglasskaalrud6865 6 ай бұрын

I like the “intermodal” station and the trackage around it in Milwaukee. When it’s busy, that area on the east side curving out from under the post office and through the drawbridge is one of the best railfanning spots I’ve ever seen. You’ve got all sorts of short and long haul passenger trains. CP sends oil trains and double-stacks right through the station and with the cavernous space the sound is incredible. And, unlike other stations, they don’t seem to bother railfans as long as they’re respectful, as evidenced by this video. I’ve even spent hours on the walkway bridge right in the station after de-training from the Empire Builder from St. Paul. I go to Milwaukee primarily just to ride the Builder but also to visit the art museum, which is within walking distance from the station. Walking a little southwest there’s the Harley-Davidson museum and the last remnants of the Milwaukee Road’s yard and industrial complex in the valley. Those short-haul passengers have push-pull Chargers on them, single units or tandem. You have to figure if they send them out singly, Amtrak must have some confidence in them.

@raildogproductions 6 ай бұрын

I do enjoy filming in this area. I have filmed on the east side also which is neat to see them cross the Menomonee River on the over 100 year old swing bridge. Most of the valley and surrounding area was all industrial and had rail everywhere. CPKC has a grant and at some point is supposedly going to rebuild the tracks to the "wash" Muskego Yard and bypass most freight trains through the yard and avoid the station. I do hope that takes years to happen as freight trains going through the station is awesome.

@TheSjuris 6 ай бұрын

They do that so they don’t have to figure out how to turn the trains around at Union Station. The north side of Union doesn’t have the room there to turn trains and Amtrak will not reverse an entire train for 90 miles.

@douglasskaalrud6865 6 ай бұрын

@@TheSjuris I go through CUS now and then to get the “Late-shore Ltd.” It’s a great area if you’ve got a layover and a camera.

@parrott350 6 ай бұрын

amtrak should have bought some good ole SD70 rebuilds. If Metra is going to run them, they are heavy duty enough! Look like a real locomotive also. This EPA/climate con, is Bravo Sierra! They probably run the Chargers to hot, because of 'emissions', hence that open section with the chicken wire for air. They will have to do 'deletes' on the Chargers to make them reliable. Great effort to capture in the snow and find out the details, of what was going on, Nice video, best regards, chuck

@centredoorplugsthornton4112 6 ай бұрын

Note the Horizon coach between the power and the baggage car. Ought to be a way to isolate a bad unit like that Charger and run as close to normal as possible with the relatively good units.

@mrvwbug4423 6 ай бұрын

My guess is, if the Charger was malfunctioning that they had to cut out the Charger and drive from the #2 locomotive, with the conductor in the lead loco to watch the track and signals ahead (I assume they're not using ACSES in Wisconsin). If the Charger wouldn't go past notch 1 it's likely it wouldn't let the trail locos go past notch 1 either.

@aaronwarrendrums 6 ай бұрын

Time to put them P42s at the lead now. 😂 dang chargers 🤣🤣

@dberk71 6 ай бұрын

great capture thanks for sharing.

@raildogproductions 6 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@locojohn6637 6 ай бұрын

Great composition and video. I like how you framed the video.

@raildogproductions 6 ай бұрын

Thanks for that, I do try to get the composition to have an interesting look.

@alexlorenz4103 3 ай бұрын

They really cant get the hang of those Charger Locomotives. Just recently the City Of New Orleans had a northbound train that was being pulled by 2 Chargers. Both suffered a fatal electrical issue leaving both of them useless. They had to be rescued by a former Illinois Central locomotive. Leaving the train to be 8 hours late.

@raildogproductions 3 ай бұрын

Makes for a rare power move, but if your on the train it would definitely suck.

@goldstandardaviation1667 6 ай бұрын

Awesome catch

@MkeDamian 6 ай бұрын

Hey so thats why it was there. I got to witness it being hooked to the back of a Hiawatha to make the trip back to Chicago

@crabbymilton390 6 ай бұрын

I was coming back to Milwaukee from Chicago one evening in late 2018 on a day trip. The train was powered by one of those SIEMENS locomotives. Somewhere in Oak Creek, we started to slow down then came to a stop. At first I thought we were in a signal block. But then the power went off. We sat for over 45 minutes. It finally came back on and we went as far as the airport station then had to wait for several buses to take us the rest of the way. The conductor said that the locomotive crapped out but it was able to pull us that far but not to the downtown station. That locomotive was brand new at the time. Perhaps SIEMENS secretly merged with FORD and BOEING since they build crap too.

@jonhilden2556 5 ай бұрын

Nice work.

@raildogproductions 5 ай бұрын

thanks for watching. It was a last minute catch on my way home.

@henrylewis1256 6 ай бұрын

RailDog Productions My name is Henry Lewis I just Subscribed to your channel.This is one amazing video I like these New Siemen Chargers That Amtrak has I didn't know that these units were having Computer issues I sure hope they Find the Problem and fix it.I live in Dania Beach Florida I have watched Other Video's of These New Amtrak Siemen Chargers They look awesome Thanks for sharing one Fantastic video that you filmed in the snow You did one amazing Job Wow I Enjoyed watching this video and Hope to see more soon.I will go and Watch your other video's too.Greetings from Dania Beach Florida Stay safe..👍👍👍👍👍

@raildogproductions 6 ай бұрын

Hi Henry, thanks for the interest. There are a few versions of these engines and Amtrak chose to break them in on the Empire Builder because of the extreme weather it passes through. Siemens is working on all the issues as the come up and at some point they should be running with little issues. For me having Amtrak chose the Empire Builder and The Hiawatha for the test bed is a great thing and have been enjoying documenting the change.

@henrylewis1256 6 ай бұрын

@@shauntrailskinner9645 Excuse me Where did I refer The Siemen Charger as a Locomotive I didn't put that in the comment There is nowhere I did say that.Besides I've done Rail fanning in Dania Beach Florida And Have many video's Of Various FEC Freight Trains GE GEVO'S ES44C4's Locomotives With LNG fuel tener Which Are Hybrids The can Run on Diesel or Liquefied Natural Gas I seen the signs Do Not Touch which is extremely cold I see the Pipes are Frozen over like snow.. And Brightline SCB 40 Which are also Siemen Chargers They run On BIO DIESEL Which I'm sure these New Siemen Chargers that Amtrak have are BIO DIESEL as well.. I do know what I'm talking about Thanks for your Constructive Criticism.

@henrylewis1256 6 ай бұрын

@@shauntrailskinner9645 That's Okay Now you know About The Siemen Charger Thank you for Your Kind Words and Have a Blessed day My friend.👍👍👍👍👍

@mt5144 6 ай бұрын

New School Computer Loco's ALC-42 OK when it's working properly but the old reliable P40DC (817)& P42DC (15) still soldiers on regardless.

@johnalder6028 6 ай бұрын

Very nice. Was that some private varnish off to the side? Good catch. Greetings from Port Saint Lucie, Florida!

@raildogproductions 6 ай бұрын

Those PV's are two sets of two cars owned by Charter Wire here in Milwaukee. The owner is a huge railfan. The was an old episode of Tracks Ahead on PBS that features the cars and his home layout.

@johnalder6028 6 ай бұрын

@@raildogproductions Thank you. I think it would be great to encourage the private jet crowd to get private varnish as a new status symbol . It would help promote train travel and energy conservation.

@deerinmyyard8430 6 ай бұрын

This isn't the first time these locomotives have had issues in the winter on the Empire Builder Route

@raildogproductions 6 ай бұрын

Certainly not and I have documented on this channel a few of those times.

@DavidBrown-et6dj 6 ай бұрын

This delay was probably on top of multiple hours of delays caused by giving freight the right of way. There is no such thing as “ON TIME” with the Empire Builder!

@mrvwbug4423 6 ай бұрын

Supposedly Amtrak is supposed to get right of way, but a lot of the freight trains won't fit in a siding so Amtrak has to pull off for those.

@mindlessgonzo 6 ай бұрын

@@mrvwbug4423 Nah, since they don't have their own network, Amtrak gets lesser priority to freight trains on the networks they share.

@trevorruffcorn4424 6 ай бұрын

@@mindlessgonzoit's a actually supposed to be Amtrak with priority. it's on the books.

@OSUfan757 6 ай бұрын

Surprisingly enough. I took it last year and we ran early about 90% of the way. We arrived in Seattle 35 min early.

@WildWildWeasel 6 ай бұрын

"Precision" scheduling does that for you, it fucking sucks

@DioHolyDiver83 6 ай бұрын

For The Empire.....

@Kestrelrules 4 ай бұрын

What was the private varnish on the right side tracks?

@raildogproductions 4 ай бұрын

They are private cars owned by Charter Wire. They have two sets of two cars. Stayed tuned to the channel to see the video of both sets being moved out on the rear of Amtrak Hiawatha.

@kens.3729 6 ай бұрын

Amtrak has More “Issues” with both the Old and New Locomotives and the Class I Railroad Locomotives come to the Rescue and Saves their Butts. 👍🙏

@mrvwbug4423 6 ай бұрын

It will get sorted in a few years. the ALC-42s are still pretty new and are having teething pains, the P42s are nearing the end of their service life and are actually breaking down more often than the Chargers and usually more spectacularly (saw a video of a P42 recently that blew a turbine seal on the turbo and sprayed down the entire Coast Starlight with engine oil).

@rickmurphy7769 6 ай бұрын

Why would they pull the charger off to deadhead to Chicago on the Hiawatha, as the video states, when the Empire Builder is also terminates to Chicago??

@SIGINT007 6 ай бұрын

Because it was impeding performance of the train. Better to shed it and continue than be saddled with an underperforming train all the way to CUS.

@northlanderdude 6 ай бұрын

why didn't they just tag 313 to the rear of #8 instead??

@kenmartin9227 6 ай бұрын

What is the Private Varnish passenger car on the right? Station sidi g

@raildogproductions 6 ай бұрын

They are owned by Charter Wire here in Milwaukee. They use them for sales trips and personal use.

@deerinmyyard8430 6 ай бұрын

"The video was filmed with a Samsung S22 Ultra in 4K"... wait, what? What kind of "film" does that camera use? The audio and video is stunning though.

@raildogproductions 6 ай бұрын

Interesting that its still considered "filming" when its digital. I got a heads up right as the train was entering Milwaukee so I had no time to get my big camera so the phone had to suffice.

@divox9pqr 6 ай бұрын

Disappointing performance is the general commentary I’ve heard from my friends who are engineers running the Siemens. What has happened to testing and quality control for this product?

@mrvwbug4423 6 ай бұрын

to be fair the P42s had a lot of teething pains their first few years in service as well. Most operational testing of the Charger prior to Amtrak was done by Brightline ... who operate in Florida haha.

@e952ct 6 ай бұрын

I guess Amtrak engines are different, but couldn't they have put the other engines in front and had 313 at #2 or 3, or even be on the back of the train? I assume Portage would have had space to swap engines.

@raildogproductions 6 ай бұрын

I have been told to disconnect the engines and move them around in the consist requires reestablishing the HEP and computer which that can take time and the passenger cars would be out of power. They decided to limp to Milwaukee where they could leave the engine off CPKC's line and move it to Chicago.

@evad1 6 ай бұрын

Amtrak engines are, I guess, different, in that they have Head End Power (HEP) that powers the train. While not a bad plan, and totally do-able, swapping it to the third spot would have meant disconnecting the HEP and leaving the train with no power while it was done, as well as disconnecting and reconnecting all the cables and hoses between the engines. Swapping it to trail second would mean a lengthy disconnection and reconnection of all the lines and cables which were most likely stiff and ice covered, but the train would still have power. Better to just uncouple one unit and set it out and let a Hiawatha drag it back to the Windy, DIT if need be. That's why Amtrak power almost always faces forward. Portage does have the room, its been done before. Set outs of cars and locos have happened at Watertown also.

@mrvwbug4423 6 ай бұрын

@@evad1 As cold as it was, disconnecting HEP is the last thing they would want to do, that would mean no heat, so completely understandable. They could've probably connected it to the back of the consist and dragged it, but why delay any more than they already were when another train that wasn't super delayed could drag it back. And not to mention having to remove lots of snow and ice from the locos to get access to the cables and hoses.

@daryllect6659 6 ай бұрын

Yet another failure of a solid-state device disabling a perfectly good machine and bringing everything to a standstill.

@haydendraycott7897 6 ай бұрын

Couldn’t they just have moved one of the Genesis locomotives up to the front from the get go? Otherwise what’s the point of putting two of them on the train?

@Wawa111_Mainline 6 ай бұрын

since when dose amtrak allow people on the platforms

@amtrakhorn 6 ай бұрын

Why they need to keep the reliable Genesis

@rudolphna54 6 ай бұрын

The Genesis is no longer reliable. It's ancient, parts are hard to find, they break down all the time because they're old- and GE no longer makes them.

@qjtvaddict 6 ай бұрын

Let me know when you decide to run a serious passenger service

@mikesalvatore6868 6 ай бұрын

Should have bought the EMD F125. Chargers are junk.!

@mrvwbug4423 6 ай бұрын

The EMDs have had their share of issues too, but they're also a bit older than the Chargers and can't operate at the speeds the Charger can. The F125 supposedly has stability issues above 90mph and none are used above 79mph in service so there is no operational testing of them at speed. The Chargers are designed for 125mph operation and have no trouble at those speeds.

@MrZorbatron 6 ай бұрын

Genesis > Charger

@tomalcock620 6 ай бұрын

Amtrak should ditch these locomotives and incorporate the same units that freight trains utilize.

@rudolphna54 6 ай бұрын

Freight locomotives don't have to operate in tunnels in the northeast corridor, and under the Hudson river and Penn Station... They are also far less fuel efficient and don't meed modern emissions requirements.

@will5286 6 ай бұрын

If you want viewers get a better camera with a great zoom and mic to reduce the very unpleasant background noise

@AndreiTupolev 6 ай бұрын

Really? I think it's the best quality I've seen for some time

@andrewbutler6477 6 ай бұрын

Just seems so odd that most American locomotives have only got one driver's cab compared to here in the uk nearly all locomotives have 2. Driver's cabs 🚆

@norlockv 6 ай бұрын

Most US commuter trains use cab cars so the locomotives simply run in reverse. It’s only on the long haul trains that the lower end is swapped.

@davidfuller581 6 ай бұрын

Most of 'em don't need 2 cabs. Freight engines are hood units so there is semi-decent visibility to the rear along the long hood, and some passenger engines (usually the electrics) do have dual cabs - they're just uncommon for passenger diesels, which are often run back-to-back in MU (more HP + more tractive effort = better acceleration).