ABB ALP-44

Infobox Locomotive
name=ALP-44
powertype=Electric

---

imagesize=250px
caption = NJT ALP-44 4416 faces east at Hoboken Terminal.
gauge=RailGauge|ussg
uicclass=Bo'Bo'
builder=ABB
builddate=1990 – 1996
railroad=New Jersey Transit
SEPTA
roadnumber=NJT: 4400 – 4431
SEPTA: 2308
totalproduction=33
poweroutput=7,000 hp (5.2 MW)
topspeed=100 mph (161 km/h)
collectionmethod=pantograph
electricsystem = 11 kV 25 Hz AC
locobrakes =
trainbrakes =

The ALP-44 is an electric locomotive built by Asea Brown Boveri (Sweden) between 1990 and 1996. Two railroads in the United States use this locomotive: New Jersey Transit and SEPTA.

Orders

The original order for the ALP-44 was from New Jersey Transit, with 15 units (numbered 4400 through 4414) delivered in 1990. A second order for five more units (numbered 4415 through 4419) was fulfilled in 1995. The third, and final, order was for 12 ALP-44M units (numbered 4420 through 4431) and was completed in 1996.

SEPTA received a single ALP-44M unit, numbered 2308, from Asea Brown Boveri (ABB) as part of a damage settlement for a lawsuit stemming from the late delivery of N5 cars for SEPTA's Norristown High Speed Line. ABB gave SEPTA an ALP-44M, instead of the AEM-7, which compose the rest of SEPTA's electric locomotives, because the manufacturer had discontinued the AEM-7 by that time.

ALP-44M

The ALP-44M is a variant of the original ALP-44 design which includes a microprocessor control for functions such as braking. ALP-44M units also feature the EPIC brake controller.

imilarities/differences with the AEM-7

The ALP-44 was designed specifically for New Jersey Transit as a variant of the EMD AEM-7 electric locomotive in use by Amtrak, MARC, and SEPTA. At first glance, the two locomotives might look the same to a casual observer.Both the ALP-44 and AEM-7 are based on the same line of locomotives from ABB; the AEM-7 from the Rc4, and the ALP-44 from the Rc6 model.

pecifications

All ALP-44 locomotives are capable of producing up to 7000hp (5.2 MW), and are powered by overhead catenary. They are capable of a top speeds of up to 125 mph (201 km/h). However, in commercial use by both New Jersey Transit and SEPTA they are cleared for a top speed of only 100 mph (161 km/h). The ALP-44's motors draw power from overhead lines through one of the locomotive's two pantographs.

Overhaul

NJT's ALP-44's are to be overhauled over a two year period. The overhaul is to be managed by Philadelphia-based Interfleet Technology, Inc. under a $2 million contact. A car builder is yet to be selected to carry out the overhaul. [http://www.railwayage.com/breaking_news.shtml August 29th 2008]

References

* [http://www.railroad.net/forums/ Railroad.net forums (various threads)]
* New Jersey Transit rail operations
* [http://www.hobokenterminal.com/locomotiveroster.html Unofficial NJT locomotive roster]

External links

* [http://www.njtransit.com/ New Jersey Transit]
* [http://www.septa.com/ SEPTA]