Amtrak is moving to either acquire new locomotives or rebuild its current diesel fleet of locomotives to supplement and replace its aging national network diesel locomotive fleet used on long-distance and some state-supported routes.
Amtrak earlier this month said it issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to rebuild its current diesel fleet or purchase a minimum of 50 to 75 next-generation locomotives, with options to rebuild or acquire additional units. The locomotives will offer the latest safety features, have more horsepower and the lowest emissions possible, Amtrak said.
“Our diesel locomotive fleet is nearing the end of life expectancy and we must act now to modernize Amtrak for the future,” Amtrak President & CEO Richard Anderson said in a news release. “We expect that any new, state-of-the art locomotive will offer improved reliability, a smoother ride, improved safety features and make major contributions towards lowering emissions and we’ll also consider how rebuilding options of the current fleet could achieve these goals.”
The rebuilt or new locomotives will primarily replace Amtrak’s aging P40 and P42 locomotives. Some of the locomotives have been in service for more than 25 years.
