advertisement

---

New Jersey commuters are beginning to get a little more elbow room, thanks to the delivery of two Comet V single-level rail cars and one high-horsepower locomotive — the first of 29 locomotives and 200 coach cars ordered.



The Comet V cab car can accommodate 109 seated passengers; the trailer car, 117. New Jersey Transit also ordered a second trailer car with accommodations for 111 seated passengers and a fully accessible rest room. Alstom Transportation Inc. manufactured the cars and will continue delivering them through February 2003. About 80 cars are scheduled to be delivered by fall.



The ALP-46 locomotives, which are being manufactured by Bombardier Transportation, have a 7,100-horsepower engine and are rated for a 100 mph top speed. They can accommodate up to 12 single-level cars and 10 bi-level cars. NJ Transit’s existing ALP-44s are limited to up to nine single-level cars and five bi-level cars.



The state-wide transportation system also purchased 33 high-horsepower diesel locomotives from Alstom and is preparing to purchase up to 231 bi-level coaches, which would complete NJ Transit’s fleet expansion program — ultimately adding 33,392 passenger seats when deliveries are complete.