The HSIC Turboliner series is a series of diesel-electric multiple units manufactured mainly by General Electric for Amtrak. The Turboliner series has four generations as of 2009, with the newest generation running since April 8th of that year. They are sometimes referred to as "Turbos" by the railfanning community.
The first generation of Turboliners were built in 1973 to replace the failing DMUs that preceded them. They were one of the first units built new for Amtrak. At first they were planned to be fitted with gas turbines, but concerns over costs and maintenance would eventually lead to these plans being scrapped. Instead, they would be fitted with turbocharged diesel generators powering dual electric motors that distribute the power over the trainset's wheels. The generators would be fitted directly behind the cabs. This unique power source would allow the trainset to speed up to 118 m/h. These trainsets were retired in 1977 and only one end car was preserved.
The second generation was designed in 1981 and featured a more aerodynamic, but boxy, shell. The diesel generators would be changed to twin-charged versions which produced more power, but required more maintenance. However, the total power would help boost the trainset into 130 m/h, faster than the first generation at least. Nothing much is known about them, being foreshadowed by both their historic 1st generation predecessors and their famous 3rd generation successors.
The third generation was designed in 2000. Its shell was inspired from the TGV Reseau Duplex, being the only bilevel trainset of the whole generation, running up to 140 m/h. These trainsets continue to operate in major high-speed corridors, especially due to their increased capacity from both the second and fourth generations. These trainsets are the most iconic of all of these sets, as they are featured in promotions and merchandise the most out of all the Turbos.
The fourth generation would get its electric power through diesel generators as well as overhead power. This revision allowed the trainset to speed to speeds like 160 m/h. The trainsets, while faster than the third generation, only see service in few major high-speed corridors, mostly serving the California and North Eastern corridors.
Some trainsets, such as the third-generations of the Cascadia and Canada corridors, receive special paint jobs, such as 6333, which received a Canada Pacific Tuscan-esque livery, and 6369, which received a blue-and-green livery with stylized mountains painted along the side. Some other trainsets received special commemorative liveries. 6599 received a paint job saying "farewell" to the third-generation, as it would be the last set of said generation that would be built.
this page contains a secret