The Legendary ALP-46 Loco (How to spot one)

You might be interested in the ALP46 locomotive for several reasons.

Powerful Locomotive

Firstly, it is a powerful electric locomotive used for passenger trains in the north-eastern United States. This makes it an important part of the region’s rail history and a popular subject for railfans interested in the area’s transportation heritage.

Sleek Styling

Secondly, the ALP46 features a sleek, modern design and a distinctive blue and silver livery, which makes it an aesthetically pleasing subject for rail photography and spotting.

Reliable

Additionally, the ALP46 is known for its high performance and reliability, which makes it a popular choice for railfans interested in the technical aspects of locomotives and their capabilities.

Made in Germany

The ALP46 is an electric locomotive that was designed and manufactured by Bombardier Transportation in Kassel, Germany, for use in the United States. It has a length of 70 feet 4 inches (21.44 meters), a height of 14 feet 6 inches (4.42 meters), and a width of 10 feet 6 inches (3.2 meters). It weighs approximately 129 tons (117 metric tons) and has a maximum speed of 125 miles per hour (201 kilometers per hour).

Kassel is Famous for Trains

Kassel is a city in the central part of Germany, located in the state of Hesse. It has a population of approximately 200,000 people and is known for its rich cultural heritage, particularly its connections to the Brothers Grimm fairy tales. Kassel is also home to numerous museums, art galleries, and parks, making it a popular destination for tourists.

The city’s architecture reflects its varied history, with buildings dating back to the medieval period alongside more modern constructions. Kassel’s most famous landmark is the Hercules Monument, which is located on top of the 1,000-foot-high Karlsberg mountain and features an impressive cascading fountain.

Kassel is an important transportation hub in Germany, with several major highways and railways intersecting in the city. The Kassel Hauptbahnhof (central railway station) is a major stop for long-distance and regional trains, with connections to cities across Germany and Europe. Additionally, Kassel has an extensive public transportation network, including trams and buses, making it easy to get around the city.

NJT and Amtrak

The ALP46 is mainly operated by New Jersey Transit (NJT) and Amtrak in the Northeast Corridor between Washington D.C. and Boston. Railfans are likely to spot these locomotives on NJT’s Northeast Corridor Line (NEC), North Jersey Coast Line (NJCL), and Morristown Line, as well as on Amtrak’s Northeast Regional and Acela Express services. They may also occasionally be seen on other commuter rail services in the region, such as MARC in Maryland and VRE in Virginia.

ALP-46 Variants

The ALP-46 has two variants: the ALP-46A and the ALP-46W. The ALP-46A is the original model that was produced from 2001 to 2002 by Bombardier Transportation. It has a maximum power output of 7,100 horsepower and is equipped with an AC propulsion system. The ALP-46W is a newer model that was introduced in 2007 by Bombardier Transportation. It has a maximum power output of 7,800 horsepower and is equipped with a DC propulsion system. The ALP-46W was designed to operate on New Jersey Transit’s new Montclair-Boonton Line and its North Jersey Coast Line.

ALP-46 Incidents and Accidents

There have been no notable incidents involving ALP-46 locomotives. The ALP-46 is a reliable and safe locomotive that has been in service for many years without any major incidents or accidents. However, like all locomotives, they undergo regular maintenance and repairs to ensure that they continue to operate safely and efficiently.

Hauling Passenger Cars

The ALP-46 locomotives are typically used to haul passenger cars, including coach cars, dining cars, and sleeping cars. These cars are used in commuter rail and intercity passenger rail service on the Northeast Corridor between Boston and Washington, D.C. The specific type of coach cars that are hauled by the ALP-46 can vary depending on the particular train and service provider. Some common types of coach cars include single-level and bi-level cars, which offer different seating configurations and amenities for passengers. The exact configuration of cars and amenities can vary depending on the service provider and the specific route being operated.

The ALP-46 locomotives are usually used to haul passenger trains on the Northeast Corridor in the United States, and they have pulled various types of passenger coach cars over the years. Here are the names and dimensions of some specific coach cars that have been hauled by the ALP 46:

1. Amfleet I: These coach cars were built by Budd Company in the 1970s and 1980s and are still in use today. They are 85 feet long and have a seating capacity of up to 84 passengers.
2. Amfleet II: The Amfleet II cars were also built by Budd Company in the 1980s and 1990s. They are slightly longer than the Amfleet I cars, at 89 feet, and have a seating capacity of up to 100 passengers.
3. Horizon Fleet: These coach cars were built by Bombardier in the 1980s and 1990s and are still in use today. They are 85 feet long and have a seating capacity of up to 68 passengers.
4. Viewliner I: These coach cars were built by Amerail (now part of CAF USA) in the 1990s and 2000s. They are 85 feet long and have a seating capacity of up to 74 passengers.
5. Viewliner II: The Viewliner II cars were also built by Amerail in the 2010s. They are slightly longer than the Viewliner I cars, at 89 feet, and have a seating capacity of up to 72 passengers.

These coach cars are just a few examples of the types of passenger cars that can be hauled by the ALP-46 locomotives. There are many other models and variations of passenger cars used on the Northeast Corridor, and each has its own unique features and dimensions.