GE Genesis is a series of passenger locomotive

Locomotive

A locomotive is a railway vehicle that provides the motive power for a train. The word originates from the Latin loco – "from a place", ablative of locus, "place" + Medieval Latin motivus, "causing motion", and is a shortened form of the term locomotive engine, first used in the early 19th...

s produced by GE Transportation Systems

GE Transportation Systems

GE Transportation, formerly known as GE Rail, is a division of General Electric. The organization manufactures equipment for the railroad, marine, mining, drilling and energy generation industries. It is based in Erie, Pennsylvania. Locomotives are assembled at the Erie plant, while engine...

, a subsidiary of General Electric

General Electric

General Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...

. Between the period of 1992 and 2001, 332 of these locomotives were built for Amtrak

Amtrak

The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...

, Via Rail

VIA Rail

Via Rail Canada is an independent crown corporation offering intercity passenger rail services in Canada. It is headquartered near Montreal Central Station at 3 Place Ville-Marie in Montreal, Quebec....

, and Metro-North

Metro-North Railroad

The Metro-North Commuter Railroad , trading as MTA Metro-North Railroad, or, more commonly, Metro-North, is a suburban commuter rail service that is run and managed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority , an authority of New York State. It is the busiest commuter railroad in the United...

.

The Genesis series of locomotives was designed by General Electric

General Electric

General Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...

 in response to a specification published by Amtrak and ultimately selected over a competing design presented by GM EMD. The Genesis series are unique among current North American diesel-electric locomotives because of their low height

Loading gauge

A loading gauge defines the maximum height and width for railway vehicles and their loads to ensure safe passage through bridges, tunnels and other structures...

. This height restriction allowed the locomotive to travel easily through low-profile

Structure gauge

The structure gauge, also called the minimum clearance outline, is the minimum height and width of tunnels and bridges as well as the minimum height and width of the doors that allow a rail siding access into a warehouse...

 tunnels in the Northeast Corridor

Northeast Corridor

The Northeast Corridor is a fully electrified railway line owned primarily by Amtrak serving the Northeast megalopolis of the United States from Boston in the north, via New York to Washington, D.C. in the south, with branches serving other cities...

. The Genesis series is lower than even the previous-generation F40PH by 14 inches (35.6 cm), and is the only Amtrak diesel locomotive

Diesel locomotive

A diesel locomotive is a type of railroad locomotive in which the prime mover is a diesel engine, a reciprocating engine operating on the Diesel cycle as invented by Dr. Rudolf Diesel...

 that meets the clearance requirements on every Amtrak route.

Technical design

The General Electric Genesis series is unique among recently manufactured North American passenger locomotives in that it uses a single, monocoque

Monocoque

Monocoque is a construction technique that supports structural load by using an object's external skin, as opposed to using an internal frame or truss that is then covered with a non-load-bearing skin or coachwork...

  carbody

Cab unit

A cab unit and a carbody unit are body styles of locomotives in railroad terminology. While closely related, they are not exactly the same....

 design, thus making it lighter, more aerodynamic, and more fuel efficient than its predecessors (F40PH, F59PH, P30CH, P32-BWH). However, this makes it more costly and time-consuming to maintain, causing Amtrak to install bolt-on nose cones, for easy replacement in the event of grade-crossing collision. As an example of the improvements over the predecessor locomotives, the Genesis uses 22% less fuel than the F40PH while producing 25% more horsepower. In addition, all Genesis locomotives have four-stroke engines instead of the two-stroke engines previously used in EMD counterparts.

The Genesis unit is a fully computerized locomotive which automatically controls all on-board functions, thus producing high reliability while keeping the maintenance requirements low. For example, the Genesis' computers will automatically reduce the power plant's output in the event that the locomotive is overheating, or suffering from low oil pressure, low water pressure, or reduced airflow into the intakes, thus making it still operable.

All Genesis units can provide head-end power (HEP) to the train with capacity of 800 kilowatts output, drawn from an alternator or inverter

Inverter

Inverter may refer to* Inverter , a device that converts direct current to alternating current** Inverter , an air conditioner that can continuously regulate its output by altering the compressor speed in response to cooling demand** Uninterruptible power supply, which often are based on an...

 powered by the main engine. The P40DC and P42DC power plants are speed locked to 900 rpm when operating in HEP mode, with head-end power supplied directly by the alternator. The P32AC-DM powerplant does not have to be locked at a certain rpm because it utilizes an HEP inverter, which allows the prime mover to run at 900 rpm when providing both traction power and HEP, and to idle at 620 rpm (or notch three) while still providing HEP for lighting and air-conditioning when not providing traction power.

The trucks of Genesis locomotives were made by Krupp Verkehrstechnik, which has since been absorbed by Siemens Mobility; the trucks on the newest Genesis locomotives carry the Siemens name.

Models

There are three models of Genesis units in operation today: the P32AC-DM, P40DC, and P42DC. They were built between 1992 and 2001.

P40DC

The P40DC, or Dash 8-40BP (originally known as the AMD-103 or Amtrak Monocoque Diesel - 103MPH) was the first model in the Genesis series. The locomotive operates in a diesel-electric configuration that uses DC

Direct current

Direct current is the unidirectional flow of electric charge. Direct current is produced by such sources as batteries, thermocouples, solar cells, and commutator-type electric machines of the dynamo type. Direct current may flow in a conductor such as a wire, but can also flow through...

 to power the traction motor

Traction motor

Traction motor refers to an electric motor providing the primary rotational torque of a machine, usually for conversion into linear motion ....

s, producing 4000 hp output. When in HEP mode, power output to the traction motors is 3650 hp. The P40DC is geared for a top speed of 103 miles per hour (46 m/s). The P40DC was succeeded in 1997 by the P42DC.

A feature unique to the P40DC Genesis locomotive is a hostler

Hostler

An hostler or ostler in the horse industry is a groom or stableman, who is employed in a stable to take care of horses...

 stand at the rear of the locomotive providing increased visibility and reversing capabilities to the engineer while conducting reverse operations. When a unit is in operation from this stand it is limited to 10 mph (4.5 m/s) and a dead man's switch

Dead man's switch

A dead man's switch is a switch that is automatically operated in case the human operator becomes incapacitated, such as through death or loss of consciousness....

 protects against movement without an operator being present.

The P40DC and P42DC allowed Amtrak to operate heavy long-distance trains with fewer locomotives compared to the older EMD F40PH locomotives. Two P40DCs could do the same work as three F40PHs. Additional deliveries of the P42DC ended up replacing the P40DCs. Four were sold to New Jersey Transit

New Jersey Transit

The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State...

 in 2007, and eight to the Connecticut DOT

Connecticut Department of Transportation

The Connecticut Department of Transportation is responsible for the development and operation of highways, railroads, mass transit systems, ports, waterways and aviation facilities in the U.S. state of Connecticut. The current Commissioner of ConnDOT is Jeffrey Parker...

 for Shore Line East

Shore Line East

Shore Line East is a commuter rail service operating in southern Connecticut, USA. A fully owned subsidiary of the Connecticut Department of Transportation , SLE provides service seven days a week along the Northeast Corridor from New London west to New Haven, with continuing service to Bridgeport...

. Three of the locomotives (807 and 829 in the Bourbonnais train wreck and 819 in the Big Bayou Canot wreck

Big Bayou Canot train disaster

The 1993 Big Bayou Canot train wreck was the derailing of an Amtrak train on the CSXT Big Bayou Canot bridge in northeast Mobile, Alabama, USA, killing 47 and injuring 103, on September 22, 1993. It is the deadliest train wreck in Amtrak's history...

) were wrecked and have been partially broken up, and the other 30 remained out of service in dead storage for many years.

Upgraded and "Stimulus" P40DCs

By 2007, New Jersey Transit had upgraded their P40DC locomotives with updated prime movers to match the 4250 hp of the successor P42DC. This was done by readjusting the position of the lay shafts within the prime mover.

Amtrak is returning fifteen of their P40DC units to service as part of a project funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, abbreviated ARRA and commonly referred to as the Stimulus or The Recovery Act, is an economic stimulus package enacted by the 111th United States Congress in February 2009 and signed into law on February 17, 2009, by President Barack Obama.To...

. The first of the units were returned to service in March 2010 after being overhauled at the company's shops in Beech Grove, Indiana

Beech Grove, Indiana

As of the census of 2000, there were 14,880 people, 6,085 households, and 3,839 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,462.5 people per square mile . There were 6,506 housing units at an average density of 1,513.9 per square mile...

. The locomotives were upgraded like NJT's units had been a few years before to have 4250 hp and match the P42DC's top speed of 110 mph (49.2 m/s). They also received updated cab signaling systems. The upgraded locomotives still have mechanical air brakes, which makes them most suitable for trains that only require a single locomotive. This differs from the electronic air brakes on the P42DC and P32AC-DM.

P42DC

The successor to the P40DC, this unit was first produced in 1997. It has an output of 4250 hp, or 3875 hp when running in HEP mode (900 rpm). The P42 has a top speed of 110 mph (49.2 m/s), while Via Rail Canada only permits these units to travel at a top speed of 100 mph (44.7 m/s). Tractive effort is rated at 394 kN (88,574.7 lbf) of starting effort and 267 kN (60,024 lbf) of continuous effort.

This unit is used primarily on most of Amtrak

Amtrak

The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...

's long haul and high speed service outside the Northeast Corridor

Northeast Corridor

The Northeast Corridor is a fully electrified railway line owned primarily by Amtrak serving the Northeast megalopolis of the United States from Boston in the north, via New York to Washington, D.C. in the south, with branches serving other cities...

 as well as high speed service on Via Rail

VIA Rail

Via Rail Canada is an independent crown corporation offering intercity passenger rail services in Canada. It is headquartered near Montreal Central Station at 3 Place Ville-Marie in Montreal, Quebec....

's Quebec City-Windsor

Quebec City-Windsor Corridor

Quebec City – Windsor Corridor is the most densely-populated and heavily-industrialized region of Canada. As its name suggests, it extends from Quebec City in the east to Windsor, Ontario in the west, spanning . With more than 18 million people, it contained 51% of the country's population and...

 rail corridor when it replaced the LRC

LRC (train)

LRC is a bilingual acronym for Light, Rapid, Comfortable or Léger, Rapide, et Confortable, the name of a series of lightweight diesel-powered passenger trains that were used on short- to medium-distance inter-city service in the Canadian Provinces of Ontario and Quebec...

 locomotives in 2001.

General Specifications

• Model: P42DC 110 mph (49 m/s), 4250 hp, 800 kW HEP
• Arrangement: B-B, high speed
• Weight: 266000 lb (120.7 t)
• Engine Model: 7FDL16, 4 stroke cycle, with EFI
• Alternator: 1 - GMG195
• Motors: 4 - GE752AH DC motors, axle suspended
• Head End Power: 1 - GTA33 alternator, 800 kW, 480 V, 3 phase, 60 Hz, microcomputer control
• Air Brake Schedule: 26L Integrated Electronic Air Brake Control
• Auxiliary Equipment: Radiator Fan (AC): 1 GYA30
• Equipment Blowers (AC): 2 - GDY76
• Alternator Blower (AC): 1 GDY74
• Dynamic Brake Blowers (DC): 2 - GDY72
• Air Compressor: 1 - WABCO 3CDCLA Air Compressor
• Drive/Control: AC motor - microcomputer control
• Motor: 40 hp
• Configuration & Features:
  • Aerodynamic monocoque carbody
  • Enhanced collision capability
  • Cab signal equipped - Microcabmatic by GRS
  • Microcomputer-based integrated control, full diagnostics
  • Segmented, spill resistant fuel tank
  • Automatic parking brake
  • Remote engine starting

P32AC-DM

The P32AC-DM locomotive was developed for both Amtrak and Metro-North

Metro-North Railroad

The Metro-North Commuter Railroad , trading as MTA Metro-North Railroad, or, more commonly, Metro-North, is a suburban commuter rail service that is run and managed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority , an authority of New York State. It is the busiest commuter railroad in the United...

 so it can operate on power generated either by the on-board diesel prime mover

Prime mover (locomotive)

In engineering, a prime mover is an engine that converts fuel to useful work. In locomotives, the prime mover is thus the source of power for its propulsion. The term is generally used when discussing any locomotive powered by an internal combustion engine...

 or a third rail

Third rail

A third rail is a method of providing electric power to a railway train, through a semi-continuous rigid conductor placed alongside or between the rails of a railway track. It is used typically in a mass transit or rapid transit system, which has alignments in its own corridors, fully or almost...

 electrification system

Railway electrification system

A railway electrification system supplies electrical energy to railway locomotives and multiple units as well as trams so that they can operate without having an on-board prime mover. There are several different electrification systems in use throughout the world...

 at 750 volts direct current

Direct current

Direct current is the unidirectional flow of electric charge. Direct current is produced by such sources as batteries, thermocouples, solar cells, and commutator-type electric machines of the dynamo type. Direct current may flow in a conductor such as a wire, but can also flow through...

. The P32AC-DM is rated at 3200 hp, 2900 hp when supplying HEP, and is geared for a maximum speed of 110 mph (49.2 m/s)

The Dual Mode P32AC-DM is unique not only because of its third-rail capability, but also because it is equipped with GE's GEB15 AC (alternating current) traction motor

Traction motor

Traction motor refers to an electric motor providing the primary rotational torque of a machine, usually for conversion into linear motion ....

s, rather than DC (direct current) motors as used in the other subtypes. The type is confined to services operating from New York City

New York City

New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...

, where diesel emissions through its two fully enclosed main terminals are prohibited. The P32AC-DM are seen only on Amtrak's Empire Corridor

Empire Corridor

The Empire Corridor is a term used to refer to the approximately corridor between Niagara Falls and New York City, including the cities of Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Utica, Schenectady and Albany. The Empire Service and Maple Leaf serve the entire length of this corridor, and the Maple Leaf...

 between Penn Station

Pennsylvania Station (New York City)

Pennsylvania Station—commonly known as Penn Station—is the major intercity train station and a major commuter rail hub in New York City. It is one of the busiest rail stations in the world, and a hub for inbound and outbound railroad traffic in New York City. The New York City Subway system also...

 and Buffalo, the Ethan Allen Express

Ethan Allen Express

The Ethan Allen Express is a 241-mile passenger train operated by Amtrak between New York City and Rutland, Vermont, via Albany. The total trip is scheduled to be completed in 5.5 hours. Its operations are subsidized by the State of Vermont, and the train is popular among vacationers travelling...

, Lake Shore Limited

Lake Shore Limited

The Lake Shore Limited is a daily passenger train route operated by Amtrak in the Northeastern and Midwestern United States. The train runs between Chicago and Albany, NY, where it divides into two sections that provide thru-service to New York and Boston...

(New York section), Adirondack

Adirondack (Amtrak)

The Adirondack is a passenger train operated daily by Amtrak between New York City and Montreal. The trip takes approximately 11 hours to cover a published distance of , traveling through the scenic Hudson Valley and the Adirondack Mountains...

, and Maple Leaf services, and locomotive-hauled Metro-North Railroad commuter trains to and from Grand Central Terminal

Grand Central Terminal

Grand Central Terminal —often incorrectly called Grand Central Station, or shortened to simply Grand Central—is a terminal station at 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States...

. Metro-North Railroad Genesis locomotives have an escape hatch in the nose.

The Amtrak model third-rail shoes are for use on the over-running third-rail in Pennsylvania Station and the Metro-North Model are for under-running third-rail in Grand Central Terminal. The third rail shoes on Amtrak units are retracted when not operating in third rail mode while the Metro-North units have shoes that are permanently fixed in the down position.

General Specifications

• Model: P32AC-DM - 110 mph, 3200 hp, 800 kW HEP, with Dual Power 650 VDC third rail capability
• Arrangement: B-B - Trucks fitted with 6 third rail power pick-up mechanisms
• Weight: 274,400 lbs.
• Engine Model: 7FDL12, 3200 hp with EFI
• Alternator: 1 - GMG195A1
• Motors: 4 - GEB15 AC, axle suspended
• Inverters: 4 - pulse width modulated, VVVF, one per traction motor for single axle control
• Head End Power: Inverter rated 800 kW, 480 V, 3 Phase, 60 Hz
• Air Brake Schedule: 26L Integrated Electronic Air Brake Control by NYAB/Knorr
• Air Compressor: 1 - Sullair 8E Rotary
• Configuration and Features:
  • Aerodynamic monocoque carbody
  • Enhanced collision capability
  • Cab signal equipped - Microcabmatic by GRS
  • Microcomputer-based integrated control, full diagnostics
  • Engine layover system by Kim Hot Start
  • Segmented, spill-resistant fuel tank
  • Automatic parking brake
  • Remote engine starting
  • Retractable third rail shoes
  • Blended dynamic/air brake system
  • Dual mode with seamless transition
  • Hostler stand
  • Battery jog capability