NJ Transit PL42AC. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Commons
The Alstom/EMD PL42AC, a variant of the European Alstom Prima diesel locomotive, is a 4,200 hp AC traction passenger locomotive used for commuter service for the New Jersey Transit (NJT).
This locomotive uses an EMD 16V710G3B-T1 engine as its prime mover, and uses four Alstom traction motors for propulsion. The PL42AC features a static inverter driven by the main engine for HEP delivery. Static inverters allow more control over the prime mover's RPM's while in HEP mode, down to notch 3 when necessary. Because HEP generation diverts power from the prime mover, power to the rails in HEP mode is 3,620 hp.
Externally, the PL42AC more or less resembles the earlier GE Genesis Series.
In July 2020, NJ Transit announced that older locomotives in the PL42AC fleet will be replaced by additional ALP-45A dual mode locomotives. 23 are slated for replacement, while the remaining units would instead receive a light overhaul for continued service.
Specifications[]
- Length: 69 ft 10 inches
- Height: 15 ft 5 inches
- Width: 10 ft 8 inches
- Fuel tank: 2,250 gallons
- Top speed: 100 mph