Charging through Franconia - An Amtrak Impression

Charging through Franconia - An Amtrak Impression

Now that's what I call a l-o-n-g locomotive!

Or at least that's what my 11mm super-wide angle lens would have you believe ;-)

Yes, that's just ONE Siemens ALC-42 Charger diesel-electric locomotive on the point of this northbound Amtrak train as it blasts through the Virginia Railway Express Franconia-Springfield Station. The Chargers are becoming the new face of Amtrak outside of electrified stretches, as they replace the long-familiar P42DC "Genesis" units. And this one is losing no time as it streaks through this northern Virginia commuter rail station.

The two-track mainline serves Amtrak, CSX freight traffic, and the aforementioned VRE commuter trains of the Fredericksburg Line. There isn't a VRE train approaching at the moment, so the speeding Amtrak has no conflict to worry about on this bi-directional track.

The train will make its last Virginia stop about ten miles up the CSX mainline at Alexandria Union Station before crossing the Potomac River into Washington's Union Station. There, on a Lower Level through-track, the Charger will depart the train and be replaced by a waiting ACS-64 Sprinter electric locomotive, ready to power its continuation to New York on the high-speed Northeast Corridor.

The overbridge connects the VRE station to the Washington Metro Franconia-Springfield
rapid transit station, serving Blue Line trains, as well as connecting local and intercity bus service.

©2024 Steve Ember