Well here goes nothing! Please tell me if you like it.
New Jersey Transit
By Bapou
This is a brief report on some of New Jersey Transits (NJT) unique locomotives, including the U34CH ALP-44 ALP-46 and F40PH-2CAT, (other railroads use the F40PH-2, but do not have the F40PH-2CAT version, which is a rebuild).
Dinosaurs
One of the most famous locomotives running for NJT and New Jersey Department of Transportation (N.J. D.O.T.) was the General Electric U34CH #s 3351-3382 with N.J. D.O.T., then when NJT took over the #s were changed to 4151-4183 (Metro North had purchased an extra U34CH). Built between 1970 and 1973 these were often called “Bluebirds” by rail fans because of their N.J. D.O.T. paint scheme. The U34CH was the first GE locomotive to have Head End Power (HEP). The U34CH was used only with the new Pullman-Standard Comet I commuter cars designed for N.J. D.O.T. Here is a link to a copy of the U34CH operators manual you can navigate the manual through links at the bottom of the page. The U34CH was taken out of revenue service in 1994, all U34CHs were retired from work train service by 1995.
New Motors
NJT received 29 new ALP-46 Electric motors starting on October 20, 2001, built by Bombardier Transportation (based on the class DB-101 which served Germany from 1996 forward). The locomotives have a Horsepower rating of 8000. Costing 4.7 Million a piece it isn’t your toy train. With a top speed of 100 MPH they can almost keep up with the Acelas on the North East corridor.
Older sister
The ALP-44 was built by ABB between 1990 and 1995 Road #4400-4419. With another batch built by ABB as ALP-44Ms in 1996-1997 also with 7000HP Road #4420-4431(which included Microprocessors for breaking and propulsion). All ALP-44 and ALP-44M locomotives have a top speed of 125 MPH but are limited to 100 MPH in NJT service.This is my favor
It’s a nice piece of work as far as it goes, but what of NJT’s other locomotives? They have several variations on the GP40, including the ex-CNJ GP40P’s, they owned ex-CNJ GP7’s, ex-EL switchers, GG1’s, E60CH’s, SW1500’s and are currently leasing some Amtrak P40’s. Not to mention E8A’s from several sources. Their roster is indeed fascinating, but far more than you allude to.
Atlas did not make an ALP44 but rather the AEM7 painted for NJT. Check for photos, you’ll see numerous visual differences.
Actually it is an ALP-44 as it is longer. In the Modelrailroader review they have the ALP-44 side by side with an AEM-7 the ALP is considerably longer. I did not have time to discusss all the locos, but if there is demand I might make another paper. Also this paper was for Unique NJT locomotives (owned by NJT only although Septa has one ALP-44). Yes I know that the GP40FH-2 is only used by NJT and MTA, one other not mentiond was the PL-42AC.
When NJT first came to be in the early 1980s, it inherited equipment and track from three different railroads; PC, EL, and CNJ. With a couple of other leases/purchases, there were all sorts of locomotives roaming the system.
There were a couple of ex-PC E-44s that NJT ran, some ex-PC GP9s, a half dozen F7s purchased from the C&NW.
Not to mention the ex-EL/DL&W MU cars.
As for the ALP-44/AEM-7 model, the NJT model has some definite body differences from the AEM-7 one. I’m not sure how the length compares, but check out the size of the vents along the upper sides of the units, between the cab doors.