EMD AEM-7
Encyclopedia
The AEM-7 is a B-B electric locomotive
that is used in the United States
on the Northeast Corridor
between Washington DC and Boston and the Keystone Corridor
between Philadelphia and Harrisburg in Pennsylvania
. They were built by Electro-Motive Division from 1978 to 1988. In the Boston Mechanical Department of Amtrak
they are known as "Meatballs" and in the Washington Mechanical Department they are known as ASEA
s since some of their major parts and components were designed in Sweden
by ASEA
(Allmänna Svenska Elektriska Aktiebolaget; translation: General Swedish Electrical Inc), which merged with Brown Boveri in 1988 forming ABB
. They are also referred to as "toasters" by railfans, owing to their boxy appearance. There are two versions of the AEM-7 as of 1999: the original AEM-7DC which has DC
propulsion equipment and the newer, modified AEM-7AC which uses AC
propulsion equipment.
70 new locomotives, designated the ACS-64
, are expected to replace the AEM-7 and HHP-8
s; they will enter service over several years, starting in 2013.
GG1
electric locomotive and ordered 26 General Electric E60
units. Unfortunately, the E60s proved unable to safely achieve speeds over 90 MPH leaving Amtrak without a practical replacement for the GG1. Amtrak then turned to existing European high-speed designs. Two European locomotives were brought over for a series of trials in 1977. One was a French CC 21000 class given number X996, and the other was a Swedish Rc4, X995. Amtrak favored the Swedish design, which became the base for the AEM-7. Amtrak first ordered 30 AEM-7s in 1977 (Order Number: 776073), then ordered an additional 17 AEM-7s in 1980 (Order Number: 806004).
, with electrical, trucks and mechanical parts imported from Sweden
. The first AEM-7 (900) was delivered to Amtrak and went into service in 1979.
Between 1980 and 1982, 46 AEM-7s (901-946) went into service. This helped retire the GG1
s from regular service. Amtrak ordered seven more AEM-7s in 1987 (Order Number: 876006), which were completed by 1988.
weighs 238 ST (212 LT; 216 t). With all the weight on eight drivers, the AEM-7 has a very high horsepower to weight ratio (70 hp/short ton), coupled with a sophisticated wheelslip
control (Pressductor) system.
. Locomotive 913 was heavily damaged by fire in November 2000 and then removed from the active roster in February 2003. Locomotive 930 was damaged by fire on June 29, 2003 at Elkton, MD. On July 8, 2003, locomotive 922 was also seriously damaged by fire, and locomotive 910 caught fire on October 5, 2007.
Locomotive 911 was seriously damaged by fire at the Wilmington, DE station on April 26, 2011 while leading the Silver Star northbound.
roster, numbers 901 through 953 except 903 and 913. In addition to Amtrak, MARC
and SEPTA also operate AEM-7s in commuter service, with 4 and 7 units respectively. The MARC units (4900-03) were built in 1986, and the SEPTA units (2301-07) were built in 1987. In October 2006, Amtrak, due to the upgrade of the Keystone Corridor
between Harrisburg
and Philadelphia
, started running electrified "push-pull" service on its Keystone trains, with the AEM-7 "trailing" eastbound and "leading" westbound. Apart from Keystone trains between Philadelphia and New York, all Amtrak AEM-7s on the Northeast Corridor
, regardless of direction, lead their trains (no push-pull operation). MARC, SEPTA, and Amtrak Keystone Service trains operate the AEM-7s in push-pull mode, with a cab car on one end of the train and the locomotive on the other end.
and Alstom
began a remanufacturing program for Amtrak AEM-7s. Alstom
supplied AC
propulsion equipment, electrical cabinets, transformers, head-end power
(HEP), and cab displays so that they have AC traction motor
s, which provides for improved propulsion, and tractive effort
. Amtrak workers performed the overhauls under Alstom supervision at Amtrak's shop in Wilmington, Delaware
.
Moreover, all AEM-7ACs except 916 are equipped with "electronic"-sound-like bells, while all AEM-7DCs and AEM-7AC 916 retain their original bells.
The 29 AEM-7ACs are 901, 904, 905, 908, 914, 916-921, 923-925, 927-929, 934-936, 938-944, 946 and 948.
. 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 and Rc7 models.
ABB provided one ALP-44
to SEPTA in part settlement of claims for late delivery of the N-5 Norristown High Speed Line
cars. The engine (numbered 2308) operates interchangeably with SEPTA's AEM-7 fleet.
Electric locomotive
An electric locomotive is a locomotive powered by electricity from overhead lines, a third rail or an on-board energy storage device...
that is used in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
on the Northeast Corridor
Northeast Corridor
The Northeast Corridor is a fully electrified railway line owned primarily by Amtrak serving the Northeast megalopolis of the United States from Boston in the north, via New York to Washington, D.C. in the south, with branches serving other cities...
between Washington DC and Boston and the Keystone Corridor
Keystone Corridor
The Keystone Corridor is a Federal Railroad Administration "designated high speed corridor" with a 349-mile railroad line between Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with a top speed of...
between Philadelphia and Harrisburg in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. They were built by Electro-Motive Division from 1978 to 1988. In the Boston Mechanical Department of Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
they are known as "Meatballs" and in the Washington Mechanical Department they are known as ASEA
ASEA
Allmänna Svenska Elektriska Aktiebolaget was a Swedish industry company. It merged with the Swiss Brown, Boveri & Cie in 1988 to form Asea Brown Boveri...
s since some of their major parts and components were designed in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
by ASEA
ASEA
Allmänna Svenska Elektriska Aktiebolaget was a Swedish industry company. It merged with the Swiss Brown, Boveri & Cie in 1988 to form Asea Brown Boveri...
(Allmänna Svenska Elektriska Aktiebolaget; translation: General Swedish Electrical Inc), which merged with Brown Boveri in 1988 forming ABB
Asea Brown Boveri
ABB is a Swiss-Swedish multinational corporation headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland, and best known for its robotics. ABB operates mainly in the power and automation technology areas. It ranked 143rd in Forbes Ranking ....
. They are also referred to as "toasters" by railfans, owing to their boxy appearance. There are two versions of the AEM-7 as of 1999: the original AEM-7DC which has DC
Direct current
Direct current is the unidirectional flow of electric charge. Direct current is produced by such sources as batteries, thermocouples, solar cells, and commutator-type electric machines of the dynamo type. Direct current may flow in a conductor such as a wire, but can also flow through...
propulsion equipment and the newer, modified AEM-7AC which uses AC
Alternating current
In alternating current the movement of electric charge periodically reverses direction. In direct current , the flow of electric charge is only in one direction....
propulsion equipment.
70 new locomotives, designated the ACS-64
Amtrak Cities Sprinter
The Amtrak Cities Sprinter, or ACS-64, is an electric locomotive designed by Siemens Mobility for Amtrak.-Order:In October 2010, Amtrak ordered 70 locomotives, to be delivered from February 2013 onwards; the locomotives will be manufactured in Florin, California with secondary work occurring at...
, are expected to replace the AEM-7 and HHP-8
HHP-8
The Acela HHP-8 is a double-ended electric locomotive manufactured by a consortium of Bombardier and Alstom. HHP-8 stands for High HorsePower 8000...
s; they will enter service over several years, starting in 2013.
History
In the mid-1970s. Amtrak began to look for a successor to the Pennsylvania RailroadPennsylvania Railroad
The Pennsylvania Railroad was an American Class I railroad, founded in 1846. Commonly referred to as the "Pennsy", the PRR was headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
GG1
PRR GG1
The PRR GG1 is a class of electric locomotives that was built for the Pennsylvania Railroad for use in the northeastern United States. A total of 140 GG1s were constructed by its designer General Electric and the Pennsylvania's Altoona Works from 1934 to 1943....
electric locomotive and ordered 26 General Electric E60
GE E60
The GE E60 is a C-C electric locomotive made by GE Transportation Systems. The E60's were based on existing locomotives designed for freight service...
units. Unfortunately, the E60s proved unable to safely achieve speeds over 90 MPH leaving Amtrak without a practical replacement for the GG1. Amtrak then turned to existing European high-speed designs. Two European locomotives were brought over for a series of trials in 1977. One was a French CC 21000 class given number X996, and the other was a Swedish Rc4, X995. Amtrak favored the Swedish design, which became the base for the AEM-7. Amtrak first ordered 30 AEM-7s in 1977 (Order Number: 776073), then ordered an additional 17 AEM-7s in 1980 (Order Number: 806004).
Production
By 1978 Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) began production. The bodies came from the Budd CompanyBudd Company
The Budd Company is a metal fabricator and major supplier of body components to the automobile industry, and was formerly a manufacturer of stainless steel passenger rail cars during the 20th century....
, with electrical, trucks and mechanical parts imported from Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. The first AEM-7 (900) was delivered to Amtrak and went into service in 1979.
Between 1980 and 1982, 46 AEM-7s (901-946) went into service. This helped retire the GG1
PRR GG1
The PRR GG1 is a class of electric locomotives that was built for the Pennsylvania Railroad for use in the northeastern United States. A total of 140 GG1s were constructed by its designer General Electric and the Pennsylvania's Altoona Works from 1934 to 1943....
s from regular service. Amtrak ordered seven more AEM-7s in 1987 (Order Number: 876006), which were completed by 1988.
Technical details
The AEM-7 weighs only 101 ST (90 LT; 92 t), whereas the GG1PRR GG1
The PRR GG1 is a class of electric locomotives that was built for the Pennsylvania Railroad for use in the northeastern United States. A total of 140 GG1s were constructed by its designer General Electric and the Pennsylvania's Altoona Works from 1934 to 1943....
weighs 238 ST (212 LT; 216 t). With all the weight on eight drivers, the AEM-7 has a very high horsepower to weight ratio (70 hp/short ton), coupled with a sophisticated wheelslip
Locomotive wheelslip
Locomotive wheelslip is an event that affects railway motive power when starting from stationary.The greatest effort is required from a locomotive when starting...
control (Pressductor) system.
Accidents
On January 4, 1987, locomotives 900 and 903 were destroyed in a fatal collision with a Conrail freight train in MarylandMaryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. Locomotive 913 was heavily damaged by fire in November 2000 and then removed from the active roster in February 2003. Locomotive 930 was damaged by fire on June 29, 2003 at Elkton, MD. On July 8, 2003, locomotive 922 was also seriously damaged by fire, and locomotive 910 caught fire on October 5, 2007.
Locomotive 911 was seriously damaged by fire at the Wilmington, DE station on April 26, 2011 while leading the Silver Star northbound.
Current operations
Currently there are 51 AEM-7s on the AmtrakAmtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
roster, numbers 901 through 953 except 903 and 913. In addition to Amtrak, MARC
MARC Train
MARC , known prior to 1984 as Maryland Rail Commuter Service, is a regional rail system comprising three lines in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. MARC is administered by the Maryland Transit Administration , a Maryland Department of Transportation agency, and is operated under contract...
and SEPTA also operate AEM-7s in commuter service, with 4 and 7 units respectively. The MARC units (4900-03) were built in 1986, and the SEPTA units (2301-07) were built in 1987. In October 2006, Amtrak, due to the upgrade of the Keystone Corridor
Keystone Corridor
The Keystone Corridor is a Federal Railroad Administration "designated high speed corridor" with a 349-mile railroad line between Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with a top speed of...
between Harrisburg
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 49,528, making it the ninth largest city in Pennsylvania...
and Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
, started running electrified "push-pull" service on its Keystone trains, with the AEM-7 "trailing" eastbound and "leading" westbound. Apart from Keystone trains between Philadelphia and New York, all Amtrak AEM-7s on the Northeast Corridor
Northeast Corridor
The Northeast Corridor is a fully electrified railway line owned primarily by Amtrak serving the Northeast megalopolis of the United States from Boston in the north, via New York to Washington, D.C. in the south, with branches serving other cities...
, regardless of direction, lead their trains (no push-pull operation). MARC, SEPTA, and Amtrak Keystone Service trains operate the AEM-7s in push-pull mode, with a cab car on one end of the train and the locomotive on the other end.
AEM-7AC
In 1999, AmtrakAmtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
and Alstom
Alstom
Alstom is a large multinational conglomerate which holds interests in the power generation and transport markets. According to the company website, in the years 2010-2011 Alstom had annual sales of over €20.9 billion, and employed more than 85,000 people in 70 countries. Alstom's headquarters are...
began a remanufacturing program for Amtrak AEM-7s. Alstom
Alstom
Alstom is a large multinational conglomerate which holds interests in the power generation and transport markets. According to the company website, in the years 2010-2011 Alstom had annual sales of over €20.9 billion, and employed more than 85,000 people in 70 countries. Alstom's headquarters are...
supplied AC
Alternating current
In alternating current the movement of electric charge periodically reverses direction. In direct current , the flow of electric charge is only in one direction....
propulsion equipment, electrical cabinets, transformers, head-end power
Head end power
Head end power or electric train supply is a rail transport term for the electrical power distribution system on a passenger train. The power source, usually a locomotive at the front or “head” of a train or a generator car, generates all the electricity used for lighting, electrical and other...
(HEP), and cab displays so that they have AC traction motor
Traction motor
Traction motor refers to an electric motor providing the primary rotational torque of a machine, usually for conversion into linear motion ....
s, which provides for improved propulsion, and tractive effort
Tractive effort
As used in mechanical engineering, the term tractive force is the pulling or pushing force exerted by a vehicle on another vehicle or object. The term tractive effort is synonymous with tractive force, and is often used in railway engineering to describe the pulling or pushing capability of a...
. Amtrak workers performed the overhauls under Alstom supervision at Amtrak's shop in Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington is the largest city in the state of Delaware, United States, and is located at the confluence of the Christina River and Brandywine Creek, near where the Christina flows into the Delaware River. It is the county seat of New Castle County and one of the major cities in the Delaware Valley...
.
Power modules
The power modules use water-cooled IGBT technology and provide 5 MW of traction power plus 1 MW of HEP, enough for 12 coaches. As such, the remanufactured AEM-7 is the world's first passenger locomotive with IGBT in service.Cab
The cab of the remanufactured AEM-7 was also upgraded. This was accomplished by adding two screens, one of which displays main functions and verifies operations; the other, failures and their location to improve locomotive availability.History of conversion
These remanufactured AEM-7s are designated as "AEM-7AC". Due to the lack of funding, the AEM-7AC project ended in October 2002. Between 1999 and 2002, 29 AEM-7s were converted to AEM-7ACs. Five AEM-7ACs, 916, 918, 924, 901 and 905 (in chronological order), went under overhauls in FY 2006.Identification
AEM-7ACs are most easily distinguished from AEM-7DCs (the unmodified locomotives) by their roof appearance. All AEM-7ACs have their resistors scattered around the roof. Their air filters are located on the middle of the roof, where the resistors used to be. Smaller air conditioners are used at each end to make room for scattered resistors on the roof. For AEM-7ACs 916, 918, 924, 901 and 905 prior to their FY 2006 overhauls, their air filters were located around the sides of pantographs and like their DC counterparts, the resistors were on the middle of the roof.Moreover, all AEM-7ACs except 916 are equipped with "electronic"-sound-like bells, while all AEM-7DCs and AEM-7AC 916 retain their original bells.
The 29 AEM-7ACs are 901, 904, 905, 908, 914, 916-921, 923-925, 927-929, 934-936, 938-944, 946 and 948.
ALP-44: Variant of the AEM-7
The ABB ALP-44 is an electric locomotive built by ASEA Brown Boveri (Sweden) between 1990 and 1996. It was designed specifically for New Jersey TransitNew Jersey Transit
The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State...
. 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 and Rc7 models.
ABB provided one ALP-44
ALP-44
The ABB ALP-44 is an electric locomotive which was built by Asea Brown Boveri between 1990 and 1996 and are in operation on the New Jersey Transit and SEPTA railway lines.-New Jersey Transit:...
to SEPTA in part settlement of claims for late delivery of the N-5 Norristown High Speed Line
Norristown High Speed Line
The Norristown High Speed Line is an interurban line system operated between Upper Darby and Norristown, Pennsylvania, USA by SEPTA...
cars. The engine (numbered 2308) operates interchangeably with SEPTA's AEM-7 fleet.
External links
- AEM-7 Photos at Railpictures.net and RR Picture Archives
- AEM-7AC Completion Dates and Data by On Track On Line
- Amtrak Locomotive and Car Notes (Defunct site as of 6/09)
- Amtrak Locomotive and Car Notes
- Current Status of AEM-7s
- Amtrak Photo Archives
- Amtrak Electrics by Kenneth Arnerstedt