EMD AEM-7
EMD AEM-7 | |
---|---|
Electric system/s | :
|
pantographs | |
Traction motors |
|
Head end power |
|
Transmission | 85:36 |
MU working | Yes, AAR |
Train heating | Locomotive-supplied head-end power |
Performance figures | |
---|---|
Maximum speed | 125 mph (201 km/h) |
Power output | 7,000 hp (5.2 MW) |
Tractive effort: | |
• Starting | 51,710 lbf (230 kN) |
• Continuous | 28,100 lbf (125 kN) |
Career | |
---|---|
Operators | |
Numbers |
|
Nicknames | Toasters; Meatballs |
Locale | Northeast United States |
First run | May 9, 1980 (Amtrak) |
Last run | December 1, 2018 (SEPTA) |
Retired |
|
Preserved | Amtrak Nos. 915 and 945 |
Disposition | Two Amtrak units sold to TTCI, Two Amtrak units sold to Caltrain, Two Amtrak units preserved, all MARC Units Stored, remainder Amtrak and all SEPTA scrapped |
The EMD AEM-7 is a twin-cab four-axle 7,000 hp (5.2 MW)
Amtrak ordered the AEM-7 after the failure of the GE E60 locomotive. The first locomotives entered service in 1980 and were an immediate success, ending a decade of uncertainty on the Northeast Corridor. In the late 1990s, Amtrak rebuilt 29 of its locomotives from DC to AC traction. The locomotives continued operating through the arrival of the final Siemens ACS-64 in June 2016. MARC retired its fleet in April 2017 in favor of Siemens Chargers, and SEPTA retired all seven of its AEM-7s in November 2018 in favor of ACS-64s.
Background
Operation on the electrified portion of the
Amtrak then examined existing European high-speed designs, and two were imported for trials in 1976–77: the Swedish
Design
AEM-7 | PRR GG1
|
GE E60 | |
---|---|---|---|
Length | 51 ft 1+25⁄32 in (15.59 m)[10] | 79 feet 6 inches (24.23 m)[11] | 71 ft 3 in (21.7 m)[12] |
Weight[13] | 101 short tons (90 long tons; 92 t) | 193.5 short tons (173 long tons; 176 t) | 237.5 short tons (212 long tons; 215 t) |
The AEM-7 was far smaller than its predecessors, the
Reflecting the varied electrification schemes on the
AEM-7AC
The rebuilt AEM-7ACs used AC traction instead of DC traction. The power modules used water-cooled insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) technology and provided about 5,000 kilowatts (6,700 horsepower) of traction power plus 1,000 kilowatts (1,300 horsepower) of HEP, twice the HEP capacity of the original DC units. The 6 FXA 5856 traction motors, from Alstom's ONIX family of propulsion components, had a maximum rating of 1,250–1,275 kilowatts (1,676–1,710 horsepower) each and a continuous rating of 1,080 kilowatts (1,450 horsepower). The remanufactured AEM-7ACs were the world's first passenger locomotives to incorporate IGBT technology.[1][21]
History
Amtrak planned a fleet of 53 locomotives, with an estimated cost of $137.5 million.
Revenue service began on May 9, 1980, when No. 901 departed
This strong performance led to further orders. Amtrak added seven more locomotives in 1987, delivered in 1988, for a total of 54.
Refurbishment
In 1999, Amtrak and Alstom began a remanufacturing program for Amtrak's AEM-7s. Alstom supplied AC propulsion equipment, electrical cabinets, transformers, HEP, and cab displays. The rebuild provided Amtrak with locomotives that had improved high end tractive effort and performance with longer trains. Amtrak workers performed the overhauls under Alstom supervision at Amtrak's shop in Wilmington, Delaware.[35] These remanufactured AEM-7s were designated AEM-7AC. Between 1999 and 2002, Amtrak rebuilt 29 of its AEM-7s.[36]
Retirement
As the locomotives passed 30 years of service their operators made plans for replacements. In 2010, Amtrak ordered 70
While Amtrak was replacing its AEM-7s, MARC initially decided in 2013 to phase out its electric operations on the Penn Line altogether and retire both its AEM-7 and Bombardier–Alstom HHP-8 locomotives,[40] but the railroad instead started a refurbishment program for its HHP-8s in 2017.[41] As of September 2017[update], the first HHP-8 reconditioned under this program had been delivered and was undergoing successful testing.[42] MARC selected the Siemens Charger diesel locomotive as the replacement for its AEM-7 fleet in 2015.[43] The last of the MARC AEM-7s were retired by April 2017, with the Chargers entering service in January 2018.[41]
SEPTA will continue to use electric traction, replacing its seven AEM-7s and lone ABB ALP-44, an improved AEM-7, with fifteen ACS-64s.[44][45][46] The first SEPTA ACS-64, #901, entered revenue service on July 11, 2018.[47] On December 1, 2018, SEPTA held a farewell excursion for the AEM-7 and ALP-44 locomotives along the Paoli/Thorndale Line.[44][48]
Post-retirement
Two locomotives, ex-Amtrak Nos. 928 and 942, were moved to the Transportation Technology Center in July 2017.[49]
Seven of the remaining SEPTA AEM-7s were leased to NJ Transit beginning in late December 2018 for the purpose of allowing NJ Transit to roster additional locomotives equipped with positive train control (PTC) in order to meet a deadline for operating PTC-capable equipment.[54] However, they were never used and subsequently returned. SEPTA then used them exclusively for overnight work service during autumn, cleaning tracks and applying traction gel.[55][56] In 2022, SEPTA sold the AEM-7s and ALP-44 for scrap.[57]
Two units have been preserved: ex-Amtrak Nos. 915 at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania,[58] and 945 at the Illinois Railway Museum.[59]
See also
- ABB ALP-44 A similar locomotive used by SEPTA and New Jersey Transit.
Notes
- ^ a b "ALSTOM Transport – AEM7 locomotives, USA". alstom.com. Archived from the original on March 25, 2006.
- ^ "Typbeskrivningar – AEM7 exporterade till Amtrak m fl". passagen.se. Archived from the original on May 24, 2002.
- ^ Kelly, John (June 5, 2001). "Amtrak's beginnings". Classic Trains. Archived from the original on October 15, 2015. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
- ^ Simon & Warner 2011, p. 108
- ^ GAO 1976, p. 29
- ^ GAO 1976, p. 30
- ^ USDOT 1978, p. 71
- ^ "Locomotives on the Northeast Corridor, 1977". Amtrak History. Amtrak. June 19, 2013.
- ^ Cudahy 2002, pp. 85–86
- ^ a b Ephraim 1983, p. 51
- ^ a b c Abendschein 1983, p. 5
- ^ a b General Electric. "Operating Manual – Class E-60CP Thyristor Type Locomotive (Ref: GEJ-5688B)". Bob Kise's Railroad Picture Archives (pdf). Archived from the original on February 2, 2016. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
- ^ a b "Digging into the Archives: The AEM-7 Locomotive". Amtrak. July 19, 2013. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
- ^ a b Ephraim 1982, p. 1
- ^ Trains 1986, p. 13
- ^ Ephraim 1982, p. 5
- ^ NTSB 1985, p. 15
- ^ Ephraim 1982, pp. 6–7
- ^ Ephraim 1982, p. 3
- ^ Solomon 2014, p. 309
- ^ Debruyne, Marc. "High power IGBT traction drives" (PDF). Alstom. p. 11. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 4, 2014.
- ^ USDOT 1978, p. 73
- ^ "Amtrak Commits Total of $71.1 Million For Equipment, Yards". The Wall Street Journal. September 29, 1977. p. 2.
- ^ "GM Division Receives $22 Million Contract". The Wall Street Journal. January 17, 1978. p. 35.
- ^ "Amtrak Plans to Order 150 Passenger Cars And 17 Locomotives". The Wall Street Journal. February 28, 1980. p. 23.
- ^ "AEM-7s enter revenue service, 1980". Amtrak: History of America's Railroad. February 5, 2014. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
- ^ Laepple, Wayne (June 12, 2015). "Amtrak AEM-7 arrives in Strasburg". Trains. Retrieved June 12, 2015. (subscription required)
- ^ a b Simon & Warner 2011, p. 78
- ^ "Digging into the Archives: The Amazing GG-1 Locomotive". Amtrak: History of America's Railroad. June 20, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
- ^ Simon & Warner 2011, p. 76
- ^ Cudahy 2002, p. 86
- ^ Middleton 1994, p. 15
- ^ Middleton 1994, p. 39
- ^ Cupper 1988, p. 55
- ^ Vantuono, William C. (May 2000). "Get ready for a great ride". Railway Age. 201 (5): 43.
- ^ "Delaware shops work to meet challenges of modern-day railroad" (PDF). Amtrak Ink. 8 (2): 3. March 2003.
- ^ Amtrak (October 28, 2010). "Amtrak Awards $466 Million Contract for 70 New Electric Locomotives". prnewswire.com.
- ^ "NEW AMTRAK LOCOMOTIVES READY FOR SERVICE AND SET TO POWER NORTHEAST ECONOMY" (PDF) (Press release). Amtrak. February 6, 2014. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
- ^ "A Fond Farewell to the AEM-7". Amtrak: History of America's Railroad. June 20, 2016. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
- ^ MARC Train (September 9, 2013). "Growth and Investment Plan Update: 2013 to 2015" (PDF). p. 21.
- ^ a b "MARC Riders Advisory Council Meeting Minutes" (PDF). MTA Maryland. April 20, 2017.
- ^ "MARC Riders Advisory Council Meeting Minutes" (PDF). MTA Maryland. September 21, 2017.
- ^ Vantuono, William C. (August 12, 2015). "MARC replacing electric locomotive fleet with high-speed diesels". Railway Age. Archived from the original on February 8, 2018. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
- ^ a b "Farewell to the SEPTA AEM-7 Locomotives". SEPTA. November 26, 2018. Archived from the original on August 13, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
- ^ Nussbaum, Paul (May 27, 2015). "SEPTA plans to spend $154 million on new locomotives". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
- ^ Romero, Melissa (December 15, 2017). "SEPTA's first new electric locomotive has pulled into Philly". Curbed. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
- ^ Gambardello, Joseph A. (July 11, 2018). "SEPTA's new Regional Rail locomotive makes debut". The Inquirer. Retrieved January 4, 2019.
- ^ Laepple, Wayne (November 28, 2018). "SEPTA says farewell to the AEM7s". Trains. Archived from the original on January 2, 2020. Retrieved January 4, 2019.
- ^ "Amtrak By the Numbers: Updates (Electrics: AEM-7)". On Track On Line. February 1, 2018. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
- ^ "Caltrain Modernization Program, Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project (PCEP) 3rd Quarter FY 2016 Progress Report" (PDF). Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board. May 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 7, 2016. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
- ^ "Agenda: PCJPB Meeting" (PDF). Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board. June 7, 2018. p. 219. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 13, 2018. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
- ^ "Minutes: PCJPB Meeting" (PDF). Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board. June 7, 2018. p. 9. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 1, 2018. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
- ^ Rudick, Roger (June 28, 2019). "Eyes on the Rails: Caltrain's First Electric Train Arrives". SF Streetsblog. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
- ^ "PTC requirements lead NJ Transit to run cab cars in front of locomotives". Trains Magazine. January 4, 2019. Archived from the original on January 6, 2019. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
- ^ Burkhart, M.T. (October 21, 2020). "SEPTA Revives AEM-7s For 'Leaf Train' Service". Railfan & Railroad Magazine. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- ^ Burkhart, M.T. (November 8, 2021). "AEM-7 Electrics Back in Service on SEPTA". Railfan & Railroad Magazine. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- ^ "End of the Line: SEPTA AEM-7s Being Sold for Scrap". February 2022.
- ^ "Amtrak AEM-7 Locomotive Becomes Newest Additon [sic] to Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania's Historic Collection" (PDF) (Press release). Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. June 12, 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 19, 2016.
- ^ "Amtrak AEM-7 locomotive built in 1982 acquired by IRM". Illinois Railway Museum. March 28, 2018. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
References
- "Railroad News Photos". ISSN 0041-0934.
- Abendschein, Frederic H. (April 23, 1983). "Pennsylvania Railroad Electric Locomotive GG1 4800" (PDF). American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 7, 2014. Retrieved December 13, 2009.
- Cudahy, Brian J. (2002), Rails Under the Mighty Hudson (2nd ed.), New York: OCLC 911046235
- Cupper, Dan (July 1988). "Amtrak's Keystone Service". ISSN 0163-7266.
- ISSN 0402-1215. 82-RT-7.
- Transportation Research Record(939): 51–54.
- OCLC 2282654.
- Middleton, William D. (1994). North American commuter rail 1994. Pasadena, California: OCLC 32665882.
- OCLC 12734702.
- Simon, Elbert; Warner, David C. (2011). Holland, Kevin J. (ed.). Amtrak by the Numbers: A Comprehensive Passenger Car and Motive Power Roster – 1971–2011. Kansas City, Missouri: White River Productions. ISBN 978-1-932804-12-6.
- Solomon, Brian (2014). GE and EMD Locomotives: The Illustrated History. Minneapolis, Minnesota: ISBN 978-0-7603-4612-9.
- OCLC 22749371. Archived from the original(PDF) on April 29, 2017. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
Further reading
- Solomon, Brian (2003). Electric Locomotives. St. Paul, Minnesota: ISBN 978-0-7603-1359-6.
- Yough, Patrick J. (April 2013). "SEPTA at 30". ISSN 0163-7266.
External links
- AEM-7DC power, tractive effort, and braking curve graphs on page 11-27 (figures 11.2.10 – 11.2.12).
- AEM-7AC Completion Dates and Data by On Track On Line
- "Amtrak By the Numbers: Updates (Electrics: AEM-7)". On Track On Line. February 1, 2018. Retrieved March 1, 2018.