New Amtrak locomotive debuts on Keystone route

Amtrak passengers on Monday rode on the first Keystone Service train in revenue operation to be powered by a new Amtrak Cities Sprinter (ACS-64) electric locomotive.

Built by Siemens, the locomotive is one of 70 that Amtrak is acquiring to operate on the electrified Northeast and Keystone corridors. More than a dozen ACS-64 units are in service, with the remainder to be delivered through the end of 2015, Amtrak officials said in a press release.

The locomotives are replacing older equipment that has been in operation for as long as 35 years.

Use of the locomotives on the Keystone route is the latest step in the partnership in which Amtrak and Pennsylvania share the revenue and operating and equipment maintenance costs of the service, said Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) officials.

"The Keystone Service provides transportation that is competitive with driving, and these locomotives will further improve customer service," said PennDOT Secretary Barry Schoch.

Annual ridership on the Keystone totals about 1 million passengers.