NORTH AMERICA: Attracting interest at the InnoTrans fair in Berlin is the first of 46 electro-diesel locomotives being supplied by Bombardier to New Jersey Transit and Montréal commuter operator AMT.
The ALP-45DP is derived from the ALP-46 electric locos already supplied to NJ Transit, and will be used to operate through services from non-electrified suburban routes into New York City and central Montréal. They will work with double-deck push-pull coaches already being supplied by Bombardier.
With an overall length of 21·8 m, the dual-mode loco is around 2 m longer than the electric version. Careful design of the internal layout and has helped to keep weight of the four-axle loco to 130 tonnes. Maximum speed will be 200 km/h when running under 25 kV 50 Hz or 12 kV 25 Hz catenary, or 160 km/h on diesel.
The ALP-45DP has a 4 000 kW rating in electric mode, and 3 134 kW on diesel. It has a pair of Caterpillar 3512C engines rated at 2 100 hp arranged symmetrically around the transformer and converter pack to balance the weight. The engines are certified to meet EPA Tier 3 emissions standards. A Trans-Tech pantograph is mounted above the rear bogie.
Locomotive 4500 was rolled out from Bombardier's Kassel plant in early August, and is due to be delivered to NJ Transit in April 2011 following initial testing and software ugrades. It will then be used for gauging clearance and driver training. Second unit 4501 will be the first to arrive in North America, as it is due to be delivered to Pueblo in March for commissioning trials and approvals. The first AMT loco will follow in May. NJ Transit expects to put its electro-diesels into revenue service during the third quarter of 2011.
