WASHINGTON — Amtrak has unveiled the new paint scheme to be worn by the remainder of its fleet of Siemens ALC42 locomotives, a two-tone blue design with a splash of red and white trim.
The “Phase VII” scheme — the seventh standard design in Amtrak’s 50-year history — debuts on Charger No. 309, the 10th of the 75 locomotives on order. It is currently en route to Chicago after departing California on Thursday on the California Zephyr. It is scheduled to depart Chicago on Sunday on the Capitol Limited to Washington. It is on the way to Amtrak’s Wilmington, Del., shops where it will go through an acceptance process before entering service.
The white portions of the design are reflective for added visibility and safety, Amtrak says, with the white arcs separating the red and blue segments echoing the current Amtrak logo.
Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner says in a press release that the new look “reflects the transformation underway at Amtrak as we welcome back our loyal customers while introducing new generations to rail travel.”
— Updated at 7 p.m. April 17 to correct Thursday departure from California rather than Friday. News Wire apologizes for the error.
