Rail News: Passenger Rail
NJ Transit exercises option with Bombardier for additional locomotives

Yesterday, New Jersey Transit's board approved purchasing nine additional electric locomotives and spare parts from Bombardier Transportation for $72 million.

In December 2007, the agency awarded a $245 million contract to Bombardier for 27 ALP-46A electric locomotives. The total order of 36 locomotives will enable NJ Transit to replace a large portion of its aging ALP-44 locomotive fleet.

NJ Transit currently operates a fleet of 32 ALP-44 and 29 ALP-46 electric locomotives. The new locomotives will offer better acceleration than the older power and be able to pull 10 multi-level cars vs. the six cars the current locomotives can pull, NJ Transit said.

The first locomotives are scheduled to arrive early next year, with delivery expected to conclude in mid-2011.