The March issueof Trains has an article about Amtrak’s problems with their AEM7 electric motors, and the difficulty in maintaining enough motors to operate the daily schedule. Meanwhile, NJTransit is storing ALP44 motors that have been replaced by ALP46 motors. Is there any operational reason why Amtrak couldn’t use some of these ALP44 motors?
For one thing, the ALP44s are owned by NJTransit, not Amtrak.
and according to NJT these ALP44’s are all due a lifetime extension rebuild exceeding $1 million in cost, including total truck overhauls.
The majority of the ALP-44O/E/M’s are in not such great shape and would need an overhaul if purchased by any other railroads.
NJT is retiring them and they will not not be getting overhauled. The future for these units looks bleak, as no railroads have plans to purchase any.