Amtralk confirmed a sensor failure paralyzed a Wolverine train in Michigan, where passengers were trapped for hours and questions were raised about its Midwest locomotives. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Amtrak responds to Midwest service disruption

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Travelers had no lights, no air conditioning and few working bathrooms for five hours after the incident occurred on August 15. Local reporting, though, confirmed the failure had been one of Amtrak’s Siemens Charger SC44 locomotives that typically power Midwest routes.

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Spokesman Marc Magliari confirmed the problem and said the report was valid. But he didn’t offer details about what the problem sensor controls or when the repairs will be finished. He emphasized that the issue doesn’t present safety concerns.

The work continues to be coordinated with state agencies as Amtrak operates the impacted locomotives. These units assist on the Wolverine, Blue Water, Hiawatha, Lincoln Service and other route that make 18 daily round trips in and through five states.

Amtrak, partners address sensor issues

Siemens is building the SC44s in Sacramento, California, under a 2014 contract. The units are powered by a Cummins QSK95 engine that delivers 4,400 horsepower and started working in 2017 to modernize regional rail.

Other organizations, such as Washington State Department of Transportation and Caltrans, also use these locomotives. WSDOT said it had no repeat failures among its fleet and that seven of its eight units remain in service, referring all maintenance questions to Amtrak.

Rail watchdogs suggest Amtrak should put communication and clear updates for passengers, and partners, at the top of its to-do list. Transparency engenders trust and avoids speculation during service disruption. Tackling the issue of component reliability in a timely manner will also serve to maintain confidence in operation on important axes.

Source: www.trains.com

What led to the Amtrak train delay in Michigan?

Another cause was sensor failure in Sierra charger SC44 locomotive which led to the suspension of operations and passengers getting stranded for few hours.

What is Amtrak doing to address the locomotive issue?

Amtrak says it will replace the defective sensors while still operating the locomotives safely and working with regional partners to phase in software changes.

What are the services that depend on these locos?

Amtrak's Siemens SC44 motors on Wolverine, Blue Water & Lincoln Service linking Midwestern states together.

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