(The following story by Larry Higgs appeared on the Asbury Park Press website on June 10, 2009.)
NEWARK, N.J. — Older NJ Transit electric locomotives, which have experienced “I-think-I-can,” moments moving long trains of the new heavier multi-level rail cars, will be replaced by more powerful “I-know-I-can” engines.
NJ Transits board of directors approved a $72 million contract Bombardier Transit Corp. of Bensalem, Pa. for nine more ALP-46A locomotives, to be added to an earlier order of 27 such electric engines. The contract includes spare parts, engineering and the option to buy more locomotives. The cost per locomotive was not available from NJ Transit.
The additional order will go toward replacing NJ Transits fleet of 32 ALP-44 engines, the oldest of which were built in 1990 and were the first new electric locomotives ordered by the agency after its formation.
“It’s more cost effective than rehabilitating the old ALP-44’s and the first ALP-46A will be delivered by next year and the order filled by 2011,” said Richard Sarles, NJ Transit executive director.
The new locomotives can pull a 10 multi-level car train compared to six of the same railcars which can be pulled by the older ALP-44’s.
The newer locomotives have better acceleration and reliability and will operate on the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast and Morris and Essex/ Mid-Town Direct electrified lines.
The board also approved a $1.1 million contract for the purchase of 175 new bus shelters, which NJ Transit provides to communities that want them. NJ Transit provides the shelters at no cost to towns, which accept responsibility for liability and maintenance of them.
Officials also announced that summer rail schedules take effect on June 21, which include more frequent, summer time Coast Line service will take effect. Coast Line trains will run on an hourly schedule and local Northeast Corridor line trains will run on an every half hour schedule, Sarles said.