Bombardier ALP-45DP

Bombardier ALP-45DP

Company type	Product
Industry	Rail transport
Founded	2010
Founder	Bombardier Transportation
Fate	Production resumed under Alstom in 2021
Headquarters	Kassel (final assembly) , Germany
Area served	United States, Canada
Products	Dual-mode electro-diesel locomotive
Owner	Bombardier Transportation (2010–2021), Alstom (2021–present)

The Bombardier ALP-45DP is a dual-mode electro-diesel locomotive featuring a single cab, currently operated by NJ Transit and Exo. Initially developed and manufactured by Bombardier Transportation between 2010 and 2012, production resumed under Alstom starting in 2021. The combined fleet consists of 72 units serving NJ Transit and 20 units assigned to Exo.

Equipped with a B-B wheel configuration and FLEXX Power 250 bogies, the ALP-45DP supports various electric power systems: NJ Transit’s locomotives function on both 25 kV 60 Hz and 12 kV 25 Hz AC overhead electrification, whereas Exo’s units operate exclusively on 25 kV 60 Hz. Propulsion in diesel mode is provided by two turbocharged Caterpillar 3512C HD V12 engines, producing up to 3,600 horsepower, while the maximum electric output reaches approximately 5,900 horsepower at the rail.

This locomotive allows multiple-unit operation with the ability to couple up to two units together, including interoperability with NJ Transit’s ALP-46(A) models and other existing locomotives. It incorporates regenerative and dynamic braking capabilities alongside pneumatic train brakes and supplies head-end power (HEP) to passenger cars.

Designed for flexible commuter rail service, the ALP-45DP can reach speeds up to 201 km/h under electric power and up to 161 km/h when running on diesel. Its MITRAC traction motors and alternators facilitate efficient AC-DC-AC power conversion, enabling smooth transitions between electrified and non-electrified track sections.

The locomotive entered revenue service on May 30, 2012, representing a notable advancement in dual-mode locomotive technology for NJ Transit and Exo’s commuter rail operations.

New Jersey Transit

New Jersey Transit (NJT) initially acquired 26 ALP-45DP locomotives in 2008, retaining options for an additional 63 units. The prototype was publicly revealed at Pennsylvania Station in May 2011. In July 2010, NJT expanded its order by nine more units, resulting in a total fleet numbered from 4500 through 4534.

These dual-mode locomotives primarily operate on major corridors such as the Morristown, Montclair-Boonton, Raritan Valley, Northeast Corridor, and North Jersey Coast Lines, providing direct service into New York Penn Station without transfers. They also run on the Main, Bergen County, Pascack Valley Lines and occasionally serve Metro-North’s Port Jervis Line and Gladstone Branch. The ALP-45DPs have largely replaced older GP40FH-2, GP40PH-2, and F40PH-2CAT models within NJT’s roster.

In December 2017, NJT placed an order for 17 additional ALP-45DPs—referred to as ALP-45A—with Bombardier completing final assembly by mid-2019. A subsequent order for eight more ALP-45A units was made in July 2020; this leaves 29 options still available. These new locomotives are intended to supplant most of the aging PL42AC fleet that cannot be retrofitted to comply with EPA regulations. The ALP-45A units from these orders carry numbers ranging from 4535 to 4559. The first of these (#4535) rolled out of the Kassel manufacturing facility in December 2020 and commenced service by July 2021. Following Bombardier’s acquisition by Alstom in January 2021, Alstom took over completion of the outstanding orders. On May 12, 2025, NJT placed an additional order for twelve new ALP-45As together with 250 Multilevel III railcars from Alstom.

In a nod to heritage, NJT introduced locomotive number 4519 in a special Erie Lackawanna livery in 2019.

Exo

In 2008, the predecessor transit organization in Montreal, known as the Agence métropolitaine de transport (AMT), placed an order for 20 ALP-45DP locomotives, with an option to acquire 10 additional units, totaling €152 million. These were intended to replace aging GP9s, F40PHRs, and former NJT rolling stock. The locomotives operate on the Vaudreuil-Hudson line, Saint-Jérôme line, Mont-Saint-Hilaire line, and Mascouche line, all connecting to Montreal Central Station through the electrified Mount Royal Tunnel. They bear the fleet numbers 1350–1369.

The initial locomotive was delivered to Montreal in June 2011 after being transported from Germany via Newark. At first, these units ran electrically along the full stretch of the Deux-Montagnes line and a segment of the Mascouche line. Since January 2020, following the permanent shutdown of electrified sections, their operation has shifted exclusively to diesel power. The Deux-Montagnes line is currently being converted into the Réseau express métropolitain light metro system, while the Mascouche line now terminates at Côte-de-Liesse station.

Design

The ALP-45DP is a dual-mode electro-diesel locomotive derived from Bombardier’s ALP-46/A and TRAXX models. Its design specifications included keeping weight below , length under , and meeting EPA emission standards.

To accommodate both diesel and electric propulsion within axle load limitations, it employs two independent high-speed twelve-cylinder Caterpillar 3512C HD engines, each delivering . Fuel is stored in four separate tanks split between the engines to comply with NJT tunnel regulations. These engines offer quick startup capabilities and are symmetrically arranged around a central ABB transformer to ensure balanced weight distribution. The engines are produced in Lafayette, Indiana.

When operating on diesel power, each engine drives a MITRAC TG 3800 A alternator rated at 1700 kVA at 1800 rpm. The locomotive’s power output decreases from in electric mode to in diesel mode; however, tractive effort remains consistent up to approximately .

A pantograph designed by TransTech collects power, feeding into an ABB transformer that provides multiple voltage taps for both traction and head-end power (HEP). Two MITRAC TC 3360 DP V01 DC-AC converters supply electricity to four fully suspended MITRAC DR 3700 F traction motors mounted on bogies engineered to minimize unsprung mass.

Auxiliary systems utilize redundant inverters delivering 480 V three-phase power for HEP and onboard systems, ensuring continuous operation. Transitioning between electric and diesel modes maintains uninterrupted HEP supply and typically requires about 100 seconds. Although capable of switching modes while moving, NJ Transit restricts this process to station stops to prevent power interruptions during transitions.

Braking is managed by Wabtec’s Fastbrake system featuring two disc brakes per axle; mechanical components were provided by Faiveley Transport. Compressed air is generated by a Knorr screw compressor with two reservoirs. Both dynamic and regenerative braking functions operate under all NJT electrical systems; in diesel mode, electric braking energy can support HEP and auxiliary loads.

The locomotives conform to Amtrak A-05-1355 structure gauge requirements and satisfy CFR and AAR crashworthiness standards. Their diesel engines comply with Tier 3 EPA emissions regulations, with plans for Tier 4 upgrades effective from January 2015. The overall length measures , which is approximately longer than the ALP-46A.

Manufacturing was distributed across several locations: bodyshells were produced at Bombardier’s Wrocław facility, bogies at Siegen, alternators at Hennigsdorf, with final assembly completed in Kassel.