Siemens Chargers in MI

[TSS]

Back on January 4, Amtrak sent the Pere Marquette east with two Chargers, three passenger cars, and an ancient P32-8. Siemens techs were riding along to figure out why the Chargers die in the snow. By St. Joe, both Chargers were dead and the P32 pushed the rest of the way. Ever since then, I can’t say that I’ve seen or heard a Charger on the PM. Has anyone else? What about the Michigan line? Are they there?

[NSSD70ACe]

Back on January 4, Amtrak sent the Pere Marquette east with two Chargers, three passenger cars, and an ancient P32-8. Siemens techs were riding along to figure out why the Chargers die in the snow. By St. Joe, both Chargers were dead and the P32 pushed the rest of the way. Ever since then, I can’t say that I’ve seen or heard a Charger on the PM. Has anyone else? What about the Michigan line? Are they there?

No Chargers on the MI Line as far as I am aware.

[TSS]

No Chargers on the MI Line as far as I am aware.

That’s right. There never have been any on the MI line. I don’t think they have the high speed signal equipment yet.

So the PM is special once again. So snowy and cold that we get Superliners. So snowy and cold that we kill the new locomotives and have to keep the old (sort of) reliables.

[SD80MAC]

The Chargers have tested on the Michigan Line a few times. They just haven't been able to be used in the lead because they lack ITCS.

[MiddleMI]

Yeah, they have most definitely been tested on the Michigan Line. MDOT's Rail twitter feed posted these photos back in May:

[justin_gram]

4614 was trailing P370 last Saturday... sounds like there’s one trailing again tonight.

So far on the PM I have seen in person (yes, there have been more):
4611 4612 4613 4614 4617 4619 4625

[justin_gram]

Also, lot of good info on this link: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=34756

[Wabash1070]

I hear not all of the Idot SC-44s have arrived yet so might be that there's just not enough for all of Michigan yet

[Jochs]

Back on January 4, Amtrak sent the Pere Marquette east with two Chargers, three passenger cars, and an ancient P32-8. Siemens techs were riding along to figure out why the Chargers die in the snow. By St. Joe, both Chargers were dead and the P32 pushed the rest of the way. Ever since then, I can’t say that I’ve seen or heard a Charger on the PM. Has anyone else? What about the Michigan line? Are they there?

Uh..."ancient P32-8" I feel old...I can remember when those were brand new.
They ran a test train to Grand Rapids on April 29, 2017. I remember catching it at Ogden Dunes that day.

[SousaKerry]

All dem fancy new electronicals can't take a ittle bit of snow... Guess they shoulda bought 'merican

"They took our Joooorrooobs"

[DaveO]

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[TSS]

They’re back! With factory techs still. Heard mention of the Siemens guys being in the clear on this morning’s departure from St. Joe.

As for the Dash 8s being ancient, they make me feel ancient. When they were delivered, I was 12. Now I’m almost 40!

[SD80MAC]

All dem fancy new electronicals can't take a ittle bit of snow... Guess they shoulda bought 'merican

"They took our Joooorrooobs"

Um, they were built in America.

[Saturnalia]

All dem fancy new electronicals can't take a ittle bit of snow... Guess they shoulda bought 'merican

"They took our Joooorrooobs"

Um, they were built in America.

But what if one were to only loosely consider California part of the USA?

[SousaKerry]

All dem fancy new electronicals can't take a ittle bit of snow... Guess they shoulda bought 'merican

"They took our Joooorrooobs"

Um, they were built in America.

Twas a joke but yeah designed in Germany and using German parts. There is a reason why you don't find a whole lot of Siemens equipment in factory automation designed in the US. It's finicky and just does not hold up as well as Rockwell and others. But that is just one man's opinion.