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Amtrak puts out RFP for new and rebuilt locomotives.

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[quote user="M636C"]Are you familiar with the Chinese NJ2, GE model C38ACi? This looks like a six axle P42. It is, as the model number suggests, AC traction and weighs only 138 tonnes, about 14 tonnes heavier than a P42. It ha fabricated trucks designed by GE's Australian associate UGL and I think it uses relatively light weight GEB 30 traction motors.[/quote] I know only what the web provides. According to TheDieselshop.us the GE C38AChe has GE 752 traction motors. All I could find says they are DC. [quote user="M636C"]While there was an advantage in having only four motors with a paasenger locomotive with DC traction, since the motor speed was directly proportional to the voltage across each motor, since the motor speed is controlled largely by the frequency, so there should be less objection to having six motors.[/quote] I can only talk about Germany. There was no objection against 3 traction motors but three axles in a single truck. Experience of DB with class 103 (Co-Co, 125 mph) led to decision not to accept 3-axle trucks on high-speed locomotives any more. The Federal Railroad Administration published the "Safety Evaluation of High-Speed Rail Bogie Concepts": <a href="https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/26380">https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/26380</a> The report evaluates 14 truck designs from different manufacturers for speeds between 87 mph (140 kph) and 233 mph (375 kph). Interestingly all trucks are two axle. The study checked among others the compliance with the PRIIA 305 specification and possibly needed additional measures. [quote user="M636C"]While such a locomotive would cost more than an A1A-A1A, it would have much greater tractive power, and adhesion might be a problem with an A1A-A1A passenger locomotive since it would be much lighter than a ET44C4 for example.[/quote] The PRIIA specification requires only 65,000 lbs minimum starting tractive effort. If the manufacturer can achieve it with the A-1-A configuration he will use it. [quote user="M636C"]I think the NJ2 is also a monocoque like the P42, but it might be a cowl. I'm not sure how you could tell.[/quote] I'm quite sure that the NJ2 is a frame-cowl locomotive based on the C44-9W. The P42's monocoque was designed by Krupp and the weight proposal MPI/GE gave for a dual power locomotive compared to the competition indicates that it is again a frame-cowl locomotive like all MPI locomotive. MPI/GE already stated that they will use 3-axle truck for their Dual Power proposal. None of the American builder has ever designed a monocoque AFAIK. Not saying they can't do it but they'll pay dearly as the European builders did in the beginning. Regards, Volker
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