The N scale Siemens ALC-42 from Bachmann recently visited our Milwaukee, Racine & Troy State Line Route. Join Model Railroader Associate Editor (and Amtrak fan) Bryson Sleppy as he provides a short history of the contemporary four-axle passenger diesel and Amtrak No. 309; points out the various molded and separate, factory-applied parts on the model; and shows off the sound and light functions on our review sample, which is equipped with a dual-mode TCS WOWSound decoder. Then sit back and watch the Charger as it powers a passenger train between Williams Bay, Wis., and Rockford, Ill.
Three Amtrak paint schemes are offered on the N scale Siemens ALC-42 from Bachmann: phase 7, phase 6, and “Day One” 50th anniversary. The model is offered in one to two road numbers per scheme.
Features on the N scale Siemens ALC-42 Charger include an injection-molded plastic body, die-cast metal chassis, TCS Keep-Alive capacitor, and Audio Assist programming. Among the sounds included with the TCS WOWSound diesel-electric locomotive package are the air compressor, bell, brake release, cooling fan, coupler crash, crew alert, diesel engine, grade crossing sequence, horn, station announcements, and startup and shutdown sequences. The model is equipped with directional headlights and marker lights, interior work corridor lights, and flashing ditch lights that can be set to steady or alternate flashing.
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the N scale Siemens ALC-42 Charger is $459.
Click here to read Bryson’s review of the N scale Amtrak diesel on Trains.com.
Trains.com Product Review videos showcase the latest new items from manufacturers of products in Z, N, HO, S, O, and large scales. In the videos, you can watch locomotives in action, take a close-up look at details on freight cars, see kit components, and much more.
If you are a manufacturer and have products you would like reviewed, please email Senior Editor Cody Grivno at cody.grivno@firecrown.com for more information.
Through November and December 2024, I have seen Siemens ALC-42 N° 309 leading the 9-car ‘Coast Starlight’ with an identical trailing unit. [I am pleased that the three sleeping cars are at the rear of the train which is a time honoured railway tradition for over 150 years. The dormitory-sleepers previously assigned at the front are now on the ‘Sunset Limited’.]