ALP-44/AEM-7 Differences?

Howdy all,

Always wondered, other then the differences in HP output, is there much difference between an ALP44 and an AEM7?

Cosmetically, would an AEM-7 in Disco Stripes look the same as an ALP?


Gotta love the toasters!

They would look pretty similar, since they're both based on the same design (at some level). There was an issue of Railroad Model Craftsman (I think) that had an article about converting an AEM-7 model to an ALP-44, and the biggest cosmetic differences seemed to be the positioning of the headlights and size/location of the A/C units on the roof. I don't know how well that translates into reality, though.

Also the what I call vents that run along the sides of the roof are different.

Ask Sirsonic about the differences.

I think the ALP's have more bells & whistles and are prone to more slippage problems and cannot pull long sets (opposite true for AEM7s).

One definite difference is that the horns of the AEM7s are a heck of a lot louder than of the ALP44s. They both have the same class of horns (K5LA) but, the difference in sound between an ALP44 and an AEM7 is like the difference between a cat and a tiger.

The AEM7 was built in the US by General Motors (EMD), using electrical components and mechanicals from ASEA (ABB) in Sweden and bodies from Budd. ALP44 was imported from Sweden by freighter.

The AEM7 was built from 1978 to 1987 and was ordered by Amtrak, MARC and SEPTA, the ALP44 built in three orders in 1990, 1995 and 1996/97, all NJT.

Doesnt SEPTA have one ALP-44 though?

jimzim66 wrote:Doesnt SEPTA have one ALP-44 though?

Yes they do, I believe it's #2308

AEM7AC920 wrote:

jimzim66 wrote:Doesnt SEPTA have one ALP-44 though?

Yes they do, I believe it's #2308

Uh huh. SEPTA's black sheep.

nick11a wrote:

AEM7AC920 wrote:

jimzim66 wrote:Doesnt SEPTA have one ALP-44 though?

Yes they do, I believe it's #2308

Uh huh. SEPTA's black sheep.

Sadly, that thing doesn't get much use. One-of-a-kind vehicles of ANY type on SEPTA never fare well (that includes the bus fleet too).

And it breaks down a lot from that lack of use....among other reasons.

Amtrak AEM7s have been running for a long time now. They have established themselves as "corridor worthy". But the ALPs don't seem as reliable. y/n?

Amtrak overhauled a lot of the AEM7 fleet starting in 1999 (#'s 901-953, 29 units), with 20 AEM7's in that roster still active. ALSTOM provided all the new gadgetry. (new HEP, AC propulsion equipment, electrical cabinets, transformers, and cab displays)

Out of 52 existing AEM-7's 28 were rebuilt with HHP-8 package to AEM-7ac 's
Some got rebuilt with DC package.

I also believe that the AEM7s are capable of going faster than the ALPs. I think AEM7s can get up to about 125 MPH and the ALPs can get up to around 100.

Was SEPTAs ALP purchased new or from us?