EMD AEM7
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The AEM7 is a B-B electric railway locomotive used by Amtrak on its Northeast Corridor routes between Washington DC and Boston, United States . There are 53 AEM7's on the Amtrak roster. Built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division from 1978 to 1987, they are numbered 901-953. (900 and 903 were wrecked at Chase, Maryland in 1987.) These locomotives are affectionately known as "toasters," owing to their boxy shape. Additionally, they are sometimes called "Swedish Meatballs" since some of their major parts and components were designed in Sweden by Asea Brown Boveri (ABB).
The AEM7 was conceived in the mid-1970s as a successor to the famous Pennsylvania Railroad GG1 electric locomotive. A prototype design was sent to the US from Sweden in 1977. This would the base for the AEM7.
By 1978 General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD) began production. The bodies came from the Budd Company, with electrical, trucks and mechanical parts imported from Sweden. The first AEM7 was delivered to Amtrak and went into service in 1979.
In 1980 to 1982 more AEM7's came in a larger order. This helped retire the last GG1's from regular service. Additional orders for more AEM7's came for a total of 54, which were completed by 1987.
On January 4, 1987, 900 and 903 were damaged in a fatal collision with a Conrail freight in Maryland. They have since been removed from the active roster. On July 8, 2003, 922 was seriously damaged by fire.
In 1999 work began on a rebuild program for the AEM7. The AEM7s are to be rebuilt at Amtrak's shops in Wilmington, Delaware. Once rebuilt, they will have AC traction, improved propulsion and enriched torque.
AEM7 Specifications
| weight: | 101 tons |
| length: | 51 ft (15.5 m) |
| Power: | 7000 hp (5.2 MW) |
| top speed: | 125 mph (201 km/h) Metroliner, 110 mph (177 km/h) Acela Regional, (NortheastDirect), 90 mph (145 km/h) long-distance trains |
External Links
Photos of AEM7s in action (http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?locomotive=ASEA%20AEM-7)