N scale Siemens SC-44 Charger????

[ski]

Hello!

Has anyone heard any rumors of a manufacturer doing an N Scale version of the SC-44 Charger? I know Bachmann is doing one in HO that is due out any day now, but I am hoping that Kato/Rapido/ScaleTrains will step up and do one in N for an updated Missouri River Runner consist. Yes, they are kind of ugly...LOL.

Thanks!

[Jbub]

I like the look of them.  I highly doubt Rapido or scale trains would do one. My bet would be first Bachman then Atlas then Kato.

[Mark5]

Bachmann has had a Siemens ACS-64 out in HO for a number of years - might be into its 3rd release:

https://shop.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=258_292_1058

Maybe they'll bring it to N.

[kiwi_al]

You mean this by Kato in N scale?

https://www.katousa.com/N/ACS-64/index.html

Oops I didn't see the SC44 reference

[ski]

The SC-44 is the new-ish Amtrak-run state sponsored route diesel loco. They are running on Amtrak Midwest routes (Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan) and in Washington and California. MARC may be using them as well.  I believe they are actually owned by the states/localities. Amtrak is testing a version to be used on longer routes with some cosmetic and internal differences.

The ACS-64 is an electric loco run on the Northeast Corridor.

[Shaggy170]

I'd expect Kato to come out with it before anyone else in N scale. They seem to have most of the n scale market for Amtrak equipment (engines, coaches, superliners, etc.). If they don't, it will be Bachmann. But I think Kato will release it in the next year or so when they rerelease superliners, viewliners, amfleets, etc.

[kscessandriver]

I'd expect Kato to come out with it before anyone else in N scale. They seem to have most of the n scale market for Amtrak equipment (engines, coaches, superliners, etc.). If they don't, it will be Bachmann. But I think Kato will release it in the next year or so when they rerelease superliners, viewliners, amfleets, etc.

Which is good & bad. I just wish Kato would get moving on more road names on Viewliner sleeprs, dining cars and well how about a Bag/Dorm car.

[tehachapifan]

On a side note, I'm still waiting for these locos to grow on me. I just can't figure out what they were going for when they designed the carbody on these things. I do remember also thinking the same thing when they first came out with the 8-40BW and CW-style cabs and the P42 carbody, but those began to grow on me pretty quickly. These, not so much (actually, not at all). And these are replacing the F59PHI's on Amtrak's Surfliner, where the F59PHi's has a magnificently-designed carbody that looked beefy, yet elegant and sleek...and they matched the dimensions and lines of the Surfliner and Superliner cars perfectly. With these Siemens cars, so much for matching lines I guess. Then there's the giant and gaudy X panel grill things on the sides. Yeah.....yuk!

[MetroRedLine]

The SC-44 is the new-ish Amtrak-run state sponsored route diesel loco. They are running on Amtrak Midwest routes (Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan) and in Washington and California. MARC may be using them as well.  I believe they are actually owned by the states/localities. Amtrak is testing a version to be used on longer routes with some cosmetic and internal differences.

The ACS-64 is an electric loco run on the Northeast Corridor.

Amtrak's long-distance version of the Charger is the Siemens ALC-42. This is what will replace the GE P42DCs as the workhorse of Amtrak's fleet. It's basically an SC-44 Charger with a larger fuel tank, larger HEP capacity and some elements of the ACS-64's front nose. It looks like this:



Considering Kato has an excellent relationship with both Siemens and Amtrak, expect these not long after the prototypes hit the rails, which will start in late 2021/early 2022.

[keeper]

I like it.
This is how a modern loco looks like right now.
We are only used to cabs on both ends... 

Thomas

[Roger Holmes]

Last winter the late afternoon Chicago-St. Louis train arrived after dark in Springfield, IL. My office is on the 10th floor one block east of the tracks.  There are lights behind the giant "X" in the Charger carbody which makes for a striking view.

[Englewood]

Go Kato!
I like them locos. I'm sure Kato will make them. Or maybe Atlas?

[Jbub]

The livery that @MetroRedLine posted is so much better than what they are currently using on the charger.

[CBQ Fan]

Amtrak's long-distance version of the Charger is the Siemens ALC-42. This is what will replace the GE P42DCs as the workhorse of Amtrak's fleet. It's basically an SC-44 Charger with a larger fuel tank, larger HEP capacity and some elements of the ACS-64's front nose. It looks like this:



Considering Kato has an excellent relationship with both Siemens and Amtrak, expect these not long after the prototypes hit the rails, which will start in late 2021/early 2022.

I saw one or the other at St. Joseph , Michigan last year when visiting in the summer. Pretty cool looking!

[MetroRedLine]

The livery that @MetroRedLine posted is so much better than what they are currently using on the charger.

There are actually several Charger liveries from the various state/regional Amtrak services. The ALC-42 livery on the image I posted is actually a special scheme for one or two units (I believe it's related to Amtrak's 50th Anniversary next year) and not the final one that will be on all the new long-distance locos - that hasn't been designed yet.