Atlas HO AEM-7/ ALP-44 Electric Locos

In the mid-1970s Amtrak was looking for a suitable replacement for the famed GG1 electric locomotives which had been in service since the mid-1930s. Domestic designs were considered, but the approved locomotive design was presented by the Swedish firm ASEA. Assembly began in 1978 at EMD, with the original bodies produced by the Budd Company and other components imported from Sweden. Amtrak’s original order was for 47 units which were delivered between 1980 and 1982. This effectively removed the GG1 from regular Amtrak service. An additional seven units were delivered to Amtrak in 1988.

Several Northeastern commuter agencies also took an interest in this model, with Maryland’s MARC and Pennsylvania’s SEPTA each purchasing a small fleet of AEM-7s. New Jersey Transit purchased the similar ALP-44 model from ASEA Brown Boveri in the early 90s.

While NJ Transit recently retired their fleet of ALP-44s, Amtrak’s AEM-7 fleet is mostly still in service today. Retirements are planned as Amtrak’s new ACS-64 model is introduced in 2014. However, it is expected that rebuilt AEM-7s will continue in service at least for the next several years.

Included with this production run are several “what-if” paint schemes. All schemes represent railroads that, at one time, operated electrified passenger service over parts of their system. This includes Lackawanna and Reading, which could each be considered “heritage” paint schemes for NJ Transit and SEPTA, respectively. The Pennsylvania Railroad developed the New York City to Washington, DC portion of the busy Northeast Corridor where Amtrak’s AEM-7s currently run. Milwaukee and Great Northern once operated well-known electrified territories in the west, and each was quickly identified by their unique, colorful paint schemes.

 

Features:

• Operating pantographs
  
• Die-cast chassis
  
• Dual flywheels
  
• Operating head lights and marker lights which are directional
  
• Full cab interior with painted crew members
  
• Separately-applied wire grab irons
  
• Astounding roof detail
  
• Gold versions will be equipped with ESU sound
• Data Sheet

Silver Sound Ready

• Atlas Silver Sound Ready models are equipped with a speaker
  for easy conversion to sound with the addition of a decoder.

Atlas Master™ Series Gold Additional Features:

• Supports all DCC-programming modes
  
• Flexible mapping of function keys F0 to F31 .
  
• Follows all NMRA DCC standards and recommended practices.

ESU LokSound Functionality Features:

• Over 20 sound effects are available, including engine start-up and shutdown, prime mover sounds through all eight notches, bell, air horn, air compressor, dynamic brakes and more.
  
• There are 16 user-selectable horns, 2 user-selectable bells, and 2 user-selectable synchronized brake squeals.
  
• Manual & Automatic Notching modes with the ability to change modes ”on the fly” are provided for true realism.

AccuMate® couplers are made under license from AccuRail, Inc.

Officially licensed by Amtrak

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