[9] They had advanced safety systems, including specialized couplers designed to keep trains from rolling over, jackknifing, or derailing during a collision.

Energy generated from the brake may also be used to meet HEP needs, further reducing current draw from the grid.

[8] The locomotive bogies are fabricated steel designs, with low-lying traction links and center pivot pin.

On June 30, 2011, US Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced that Amtrak had received a $562.9 million loan from the federal government's Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing program for the new locomotives.

[11] The additional funding over and above the $466 million will cover capital spare parts and facility improvements to accommodate the ACS-64s.

[12][13] On February 6, 2014, then-Vice President Joe Biden visited 30th Street Station in Philadelphia to tour ACS-64 #600.

670 being towed by Amtrak CEO Joe Boardman's train bound for Washington, D.C.[citation needed] Locomotive No.

The extra six ACS-64 units were to be used to increase the number of locomotives available for use at any point, and to add more frequent service in the future.

[18] The final unit, #670, was delivered from Siemens on June 2, 2016,[15] and entered revenue service in August of the same year.