Train Simulator: Amtrak AEM-7

The Amtrak AEM-7: It was nicknamed “The Toaster” and “the Meatball” – and might well have been called the “Mighty Mite.” For this diminutive (51’ 6” long; 202,000 pounds weight) locomotive was a powerhouse (7,000 gross horsepower; 51,700 pounds starting traction effort) that served as the workhorse of Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor for three decades. Through the talents of skilled developer Reppo, an all-new and remarkable edition of the Amtrak AEM-7 electric comes to Train Simulator Classic! The new Amtrak AEM-7 for Train Simulator Classic is featured in attractive Amtrak Phase III and Phase IV liveries and is accompanied by Amtrak Amfleet I equipment also in Phase III and IV schemes. At Amtrak’s formation in 1971, the passenger carrier’s electrified Northeast Corridor was entrusted largely to a fleet of veteran ex-Pennsylvania Railroad GG1s which had been built well before World War II. But with decades of hard toil logged, the GG1s were much in need of replacement. In what proved an interim step, in 1973 Amtrak ordered 26 General Electric E60s, which were six-axle, 6,000-horsepower electrics which weighed in at more than 365,000 pounds. The E60 in passenger service struggled from its excess weight and related tracking issues, and thus it would be left to another generation of electrics to fill the footsteps of the GG1. Enter the EMD/ASEA AEM-7. Based on ASEA’s Rc4 and constructed at Electro-Motive Division’s LaGrange (Illinois) plant, the AEM-7 entered Amtrak revenue service in 1980 and the passenger carrier would, through 1988, acquire a fleet of 54 AEM-7 electrics (Amtrak road nos. 900-953). The Amtrak AEM-7 would serve on the Northeast Corridor long and well, operating at speeds of up to 125 mph. Beginning in 1999, 29 Amtrak AEM-7s were upgraded with AC traction equipment. With new-generation Siemens ACS-64 electrics arriving in 2012-2016, the final Amtrak AEM-7s were retired from service in June 2016. Two Amtrak AEM-7s have been preserved at museums. Created for Train Simulator Classic by Reppo, the all-new Amtrak AEM-7 is a detail-rich re-creation of this landmark electric delivering authentic performance and operating features. The electric is provided in “running” and “cold & dark” editions (the latter with a realistic, multi-step start-up procedure). The AEM-7 is featured in Amtrak’s classic Phase III livery (the scheme the AEM-7s wore when new) and stylish Phase IV livery (as introduced by Amtrak in 1993). Accompanying the AEM-7 are interior-detailed Amtrak Amfleet I coach and café car also in Phase III and Phase IV liveries. The Amtrak AEM-7 pack includes four realistic career scenarios, two each on the NEC: New York-New Haven Route and Northeast Corridor: Washington, DC – Baltimore routes (routes available separately), and the new AEM-7 is equipped with in-cab signaling fully compatible with both routes’ signal systems. The locomotive is also Quick-Drive compatible. The reign of the remarkable Amtrak AEM-7 electric was long and successful on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor, and you can relive and enjoy the experience with the all-new AEM-7 for Train Simulator Classic! Included Scenarios The AEM-7 includes 2 Career scenarios for NEC New York – New Haven and 2 Career scenarios for NEC Washington DC - Baltimore: • Hell Gate Spring Morning • The Merchants Limited • Amtrak's Independence • DC Departure More scenarios are available on the Steam Workshop online and in-game. Train Simulator’s Steam Workshop scenarios are free and easy to download, adding many more hours of exciting gameplay. With scenarios being added daily, why don’t you check it out now! Key Features • Amtrak EMD/ASEA AEM-7 7,000-horsepower electric locomotive • Amtrak Amfleet I coach and café cars • Locomotive and Amfleet cars in Amtrak Phase III and Phase IV liveries • Running and “cold & dark” versions of the AEM-7 • Authentic performance and controls, in-cab signals compatible with New York-New Haven and DC-Baltimore signal systems • D