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BACKGROUND
The PCEP’s design-build contract, which was awarded to Balfour Beatty Infrastructure, Inc. (Balfour), is currently in the construction phase. The work under the Balfour contract includes traction power substations and an OCS that must be verified to be mechanically and electrically compatible with the new bi-level EMUs. Balfour will provide the design of the pantograph security verification, which will be procured and installed by Amtrak for the test locomotive.

PCEP staff and consultants analyzed various avenues to obtain rolling stock suitable for the PCEP electrification system testing. Various passenger railroads, including Philadelphia’s SEPTA, New Jersey Transit, Montreal AMT, Maryland’s MARC and Amtrak, were contacted for the JPB to either purchase or lease electric rolling stock suitable for such testing. In all cases, equipment was not available.

In addition, Siemens, the manufacturer of newer model ACS-64 locomotives, was contacted about leasing possibilities; however, all of Siemens' on-order locomotives were needed by their passenger railroad customers, including Amtrak and staff determined that purchasing a new ACS-64 locomotive was cost prohibitive. Finally, AEM-7AC locomotives previously operated by Amtrak, and leased by Amtrak from Mitsui, were located and determined to be the most feasible option from a cost and PCEP project implementation schedule perspective. Amtrak retired the AEM-7AC locomotives within the last 2 years, when replaced by Amtrak's new fleet of Siemens ACS-64 25 kVa electric locomotives.

Upon completion of the PCEP electrification system testing, scheduled for 2020, the JPB will dispose of the used locomotives in full compliance with the JPB’s Procurement Policy and Federal Transit Administration rules.


JPB Minutes June 2018