MARC AEM-7s

[davinp]

VRE has 5 GP-40, 3 F-40, 10 GP-39s up for sale. I don't know why MARC would be interested in old lomcomotives when they have new ones. After VRE receives the new locomotives by next spring, all old ones will be moved into storage.

VRE has brought in employees from MotivePower to help maintain them.

[realtype]

VRE has 5 GP-40, 3 F-40, 10 GP-39s up for sale. I don't know why MARC would be interested in old lomcomotives when they have new ones. After VRE receives the new locomotives by next spring, all old ones will be moved into storage.

VRE has brought in employees from MotivePower to help maintain them.

MARC is (or at least should be) interested in electric locomotives. The ones they have now (both new and recently rebuilt) are performing poorly.

[Silverliner II]

Perhaps buying SEPTA's AEM7s? If they do choose to scrap push-pull with 100% SIlverliners

The SEPTA AEM-7's have more reliability issues than Amtrak's do now. They have been accounting for more breakdowns each month than even the older Budd Silverliner II's over the last couple of years. Bear in mind that SEPTA has never overhauled their units since purchased in 1987. MARC won't touch them with a pantograph pole!

For MARC to go all-electric, all the time, on the Penn Line, of course means having to set up more dedicated equipment cycles and more money to pay to Amtrak for use of the wire. As it is now, the midday runs are mostly Camden and Brunswick Line diesel sets, and it seems those trains are more than enough, capacity-wise for the service provided. It all comes down to the almighty $$$ and apparently, Maryland DOT finds diesel fuel still cheaper...

[realtype]

Maryland DOT finds diesel fuel still cheaper...

Well right now they're getting a pretty good deal because they get discounted fuel from CSX which purchases in bulk. However, when MARC ends the Brunswick and Camden contract with CSX this may change.

[DutchRailnut]

Each and every AEM-7 puchased second hand, would need a Million Dollar overhaul, When it comes to difference in Diesel vs Electic cost that Million Dollar for each engine, can keep diesel going for years and years.

[realtype]

Each and every AEM-7 puchased second hand, would need a Million Dollar overhaul, When it comes to difference in Diesel vs Electic cost that Million Dollar for each engine, can keep diesel going for years and years.

Well there must be some benefit to electric locomotives to MARC, or it would be all diesel like the MBTA. Seeing how MARC has purchased every other electric locomotive Amtrak has purchased in the past, it only seems logical that MARC would tack onto this order, especially since they're current electrics aren't working out so well for them and double-heading diesels isn't exactly a long-term solution since it slows down trains from a high speeds of 110mph-125mph down to 90mph-100mph (significant with just 3 tracks) and is probably more expensive in terms of fuel costs.

The Penn Line is one of the busiest lines on the NEC after the MNR New Haven Line, NJT NEC Line, and MBTA Providence/Stoughton Line. Those lines for the most part (with the exception of the MBTA) are 4-track. The not-as-busy SEPTA R2 and R7 lines are also 4-track. Only the low ridership SLE has to use a 2-3 track main.

[strench707]

Well there must be some benefit to electric locomotives to MARC

I would assume the higher speeds would be one benefit.

Davis

[ThirdRail7]

Does anyone know the status of the MARC AEM-7s? The last tidbit of information I received is the 4903 and 4902 are out of service and the 4901 and 4902 are in service, but usually work together.

The last time I was in the area, I saw all four coupled together at the north end of IVY CITY.

[realtype]

Apparently they're still in use. Here's the response I received from the MTA to a query into their status:

"Thank you for your email to the MARC Train Service...We regularly operate our AEM-7 locomotives, in fact, two of them are in use today on Penn Line Trains 403/502/521 in the morning and 426/443/544 tonight. Last week, they were regularly assigned to trains 401/400/415 in the morning and 428/445/446 in the evening."

[ThirdRail7]

Thank you for the update, Realtype. I remember when the MARC AEM-7s were a treat. They ran so well, until they were "overhauled!"

[realtype]

Yeah, the overhaul definitely seems like a total waste of money since it took twice as long as the 18-month estimate and since they performed worse when they got back than when they were sent to Amtrak. Now it seems that the solution is to double head them which doubles the wear-and-tear on them not to mention dramatically increases electric power usage. At least they're still in service.

One thing MARC could do is to purchase some of the ALP-44's NJ Transit recently retired. Being built in the 90's, they're much newer than the AEM-7's and still in good working condition. Better yet, MARC could attach onto the order for Amtrak's ACS-64.

[Silverliner II]

One thing MARC could do is to purchase some of the ALP-44's NJ Transit recently retired. Being built in the 90's, they're much newer than the AEM-7's and still in good working condition.

Some operating folks on the NJT forum here would dispute the part in bold font.... and that was before they were retired...

[AEM7AC920]

Oh brother you haven't been reading in the njt forum any... They were retired for a reason.

[Jersey_Mike]

Oh brother you haven't been reading in the njt forum any... They were retired for a reason.

Because they were offered something brand new. If your rich uncle showed up and asked if you car was working ok because if it wasn't he'd gladly buy you a replacement what would your response be?

[Silverliner II]

Oh brother you haven't been reading in the njt forum any... They were retired for a reason.

Because they were offered something brand new. If your rich uncle showed up and asked if you car was working ok because if it wasn't he'd gladly buy you a replacement what would your response be?

And they were having their own mechanical issues too, also discussed in a few threads over there. Given the choice between new stuff and a rebuild, well, may as well go new, given the chance....