NJ DOT COMMISSIONER JAMES FOX UNVEILS NEW LOCOMOTIVE AND RAIL CARS

Arrival of New ALP-46 Electric Locomotive and Comet V Rail Cars Pave the Way for Major Fleet Expansion Project

KEARNY, NJ, April 10, 2002 -- The newest additions of the NJ TRANSIT rail fleet -- the ALP-46 high-horsepower electric locomotive and the Comet V rail car -- were unveiled today by Board Chairman James P. Fox at the Corporation’s Meadows Maintenance Complex (MMC) in Kearny.

Fox -- who also serves as New Jersey’s Transportation Commissioner -- presided over dedication ceremonies for the new equipment, highlighting the Corporation's ultimate goals of increasing train capacity, reducing overcrowding and improving system reliability.

"These new cars and locomotives are part of Governor McGreevey's commitment to take New Jersey's public transportation system into the 21st Century, providing our passengers with the latest in comfort and safety," said Chairman Fox. "The arrival of these single-level coach cars and high-horsepower locomotives -- combined with the purchase of bi-level coach cars and high-horsepower diesel locomotives -- will ultimately allow us to add more than 33,000 seats to the rail system."

"The arrival of these prototype vehicles means relief is on the way for our customers," said Acting NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Gwen Watson. "These critical investments will help NJ TRANSIT meet current and future ridership growth on the rail system."

Photo by Steve Kay

The Comet V rail car and ALP-46 locomotive are part of NJ TRANSIT’s overall fleet modernization and expansion plan to meet the Corporation’s growing ridership needs. NJ TRANSIT has also purchased 33 high-horsepower diesel locomotives from Alstom and is preparing to purchase up to 231 bi-level coaches, completing the Corporation’s fleet expansion program -- ultimately adding 33,392 seats for passengers when all equipment is delivered.

Two Comet V single-level rail cars were unveiled today. The Comet V cab car -- which allows the engineer to operate the train from the front of the vehicle -- is fitted with 109 passenger seats. A Comet V "trailer" car was also unveiled today, equipped with 117 seats. A second trailer car is also being produced for NJ TRANSIT with 111 seats and a fully accessible rest room.

The Comet V Coach cars -- costing between $897,000 and $1.05 million each based on trailer or cab car configurations respectively -- were purchased from Alstom Transportation Inc. of Hornell, NY, and will be delivered through February 2003. Approximately 80 cars will be delivered by this fall, offering the latest in passenger amenities including automated public address systems, LED information displays and automatic doors. Each car is 85 feet long, 10.5 feet wide and weighs just over 100,000 pounds.

Photo by Jeff Lubchansky

Manufactured in Germany by Bombardier, "Locomotive No. 4601" is one of 29 being manufactured for NJ TRANSIT. The new ALP-46 engines are 64 feet long, nearly 10 feet wide and weigh 99.2 tons. Each locomotive -- with an individual pricetag of $4.7 million -- is equipped with a 7,100 horsepower engine with a rated top speed of 100 MPH. The present NJ TRANSIT ALP-44 electric locomotives are limited to train lengths of up to nine single-level cars and five bi-level cars. The new locomotives will accommodate up to 12 single-level cars and 10 bi-level cars. A second prototype ALP-46 locomotive is currently being tested at the Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, CO, a subsidiary of the Association of American Railroads (AAR) that provides testing facilities to assist railroads and vendors in evaluating a wide range of equipment and technologies. NJ TRANSIT expects to receive the remaining 27 locomotives on order through November 2002.

NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing bus, rail and light rail services for 380,600 daily commuters on 238 bus routes, two light rail lines and 12 commuter rail lines. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 163 rail stations, 26 light rail stations and more than 17,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.