Alstom PL42AC
{{Short description|Model of diesel-electric locomotives built by Alstom}}
{{More citations needed|date=March 2009}}
{{Infobox locomotive
| name = PL42AC
| powertype = Diesel-electric
| image = PL42AC Convent Station.jpg
| caption = New Jersey Transit PL42AC #4029 at Convent Station
| gauge = {{Track gauge|ussg|allk=on}}
| aarwheels = B-B
| alternator = TA-17
| wheeldiameter = {{convert|42|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| uicclass = Bo′Bo′
| buildmodel = PL42AC
| builddate = 2003–2006{{Citation needed|date=March 2012}}
| totalproduction = 33
| operator = NJ Transit
| locoweight = {{convert|287000|lb|kg|sigfig=3|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|69|ft|10|in|m|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|10|ft|8|in|m|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|15|ft|5|in|m|abbr=on}}
| fuelcap = {{convert|2250|USgal|impgal L|abbr=on}}
| primemover = EMD 16-710G3B-T1
| enginetype = V16, two-stroke diesel
| cylindercount = 16
| maxspeed = {{convert|160|km/h|mph|abbr=on|order=flip|-1}}{{Citation |title=Mainline Diesel-Electric Locomotives : PL42 AC |url=http://www.vossloh-espana.com/cms/media/downloads/pdfs/references/Vossloh_Espana_NJT_USA_us.pdf |work=www.vossloh-espana.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717231951/http://www.vossloh-espana.com/cms/media/downloads/pdfs/references/Vossloh_Espana_NJT_USA_us.pdf |access-date=June 16, 2009 |archive-date=July 17, 2011 |url-status=dead}}
| headendpower = {{convert|800|kW|hp|abbr=on}}
| poweroutput = {{plainlist|
- At alternator: {{convert|4200|hp|MW|abbr=on}}
- At rail: {{convert|3620|hp|MW|abbr=on}} MAX with HEP on
}}
| tractiveeffort = starting: {{convert|69975|lbf|kN|abbr=on}}
continuous: {{convert|27000|lbf|kN|abbr=on}} {{Clarify|date=March 2012}}
| notes = Sources:{{Citation |last=Vantuono |first=William C. |title=When form follows function – industrial design (p.2 of 3) |date=August 2002 |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1215/is_8_203/ai_90989673/pg_2/?tag=content;col1 |work=Railway Age}}{{Citation |title=New locomotives for NJT |date=Sep 2002 |url=http://wilmingtonnrhs.com/newsletters/2002sep.htm |work=THE TRANSFER TABLE The Wilmington Chapter NRHS Official Newsletter Internet Edition |volume=24 |issue=7}} except where noted
}}
The Alstom PL42AC is a class of four axle B-B diesel-electric locomotive designed by Alstom in association with GM-EMD. 33 were built between 2003 and 2006 for NJ Transit Rail Operations.
Description
The PL42AC is a diesel-electric 4-axle locomotive built by Alstom with 16-710G3B prime mover for New Jersey Transit. The first two locomotives were manufactured at the Meinfesa plant in Valencia, Spain in 2003.{{Cite web |title=Vossloh España Product References |url=http://www.vossloh-espana.com/cms/en/company/references/references.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090331090348/http://www.vossloh-espana.com/cms/en/company/references/references.html |archive-date=March 31, 2009 |access-date=March 23, 2009}} The 31 following units were assembled at the Alstom Transport plant in Hornell, New York in 2004,{{Cite news |date=April 1, 2005 |title=After nearly four years of development, design, and construction, New Jersey Transit's 33 PL42AC diesel-electric locomotives have been completed and are expected to begin testing and certification on NJT lines soon |work=Railway Age |url=http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-4142186/After-nearly-four-years-of.html}} and were produced through early 2006. The power rating of the PL42AC locomotives is 4,200 hp (3.1 MW) total for tractive effort and head-end power. The locomotive has a design similar to the GE Genesis, mainly because both PL42AC and Genesis series locomotives were designed by industrial designer Cesar Vergara.{{Cite web |title=NJT PL42AC Locomotive |url=http://vergarastudio.com/index.php/projects/njt-pl-42-locomotive.html |access-date=January 28, 2019 |website=Vergara Studio |language=en-US}}
This locomotive uses IGBT technology with precise traction computers for tractive effort. The PL42AC has 800 kilowatts head-end power and WABCO's EPIC II braking system, along with an E-7 wheel slide device, made by Wabtec, preventing flats spots on the wheels through software and hardware.
It has an Intelligent Display Unit (IDU) based on Bombardier Transportation technology from which an engineer or technician can view data or download events and faults from the previous weeks or months. The technician can do a host of tests from the IDU to determine if a specific system is operating correctly.
The PL42AC uses computer hardware and software to control functions and to protect the engine. For example, if the on-board computer detects too little oil in the system, it will shut down the engine to avoid damage.
= Future =
In July 2020, NJ Transit announced that older locomotives in the PL42AC fleet will be replaced by additional ALP-45A dual mode locomotives, due to the PL42AC's unreliability and inability to be upgraded to meet new Environmental Protection Agency standards.{{Cite press release |title=NJ Transit to Purchase Eight Additional Dual-Powered Locomotives |url=https://www.njtransit.com/press-releases/nj-transit-purchase-eight-additional-dual-powered-locomotives |language=en-US |access-date=August 24, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803172209/https://www.njtransit.com/press-releases/nj-transit-purchase-eight-additional-dual-powered-locomotives |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |website=NJ Transit}} Of the 33 units, 23 are slated for replacement, while the remaining 10 will receive a light overhaul for continued service.{{Cite web |last=NJ.com |first=Larry Higgs {{!}} NJ Advance Media for |date=2020-07-16 |title=NJ Transit buying $70M worth of new locomotives, approves $264M infusion from state |url=https://www.nj.com/news/2020/07/nj-transit-buying-70m-worth-of-new-locomotives-approves-264m-infusion-from-state.html |access-date=2023-01-19 |website=nj |language=en}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Commons category|PL42AC locomotives}}
{{New Jersey Transit Rail}}
{{EMD misc}}
Category:NJ Transit Rail Operations
Category:Passenger locomotives