PL42s. Success or failure?

I believe only NJTransit bought this locomotive? I’m wondering why no other company bought PL42s. We’re they bad problem engines? Are they still in service?

still in service , but poorly thought out most other commuter agencies have no use for them , as they are to high and do not have dual mode capability.

DutchRailnut wrote:still in service , but poorly thought out most other commuter agencies have no use for them , as they are to high and do not have dual mode capability.

Dutch, were they ever rebuilt? Can they be rebuilt or are there no parts because there is so few of these PL-42s.

its EMD in a Alstom body .

NJT has a habit of customizing everything they buy to the point where it makes no sense for any other agency to use the same equipment. When the PLs arrived on property, they were plagued with software problems and teething issues.

Fast forward to today, and NJT is getting rid of most of them with the new ALP-45A order. They have not seen a major rebuild, and likely won't. I've heard from crews that they ride like garbage at speed lol.

DutchRailnut wrote: ↑Tue Apr 23, 2019 8:24 pm its EMD in a Alstom body .

With assembly in Hornell. Much like the Super Steel DE30/DM30 - EMD in a custom, one time designed car
shell assembled by another builder.

Fan Railer wrote: ↑Sat Feb 20, 2021 11:50 pm NJT has a habit of customizing everything they buy to the point where it makes no sense for any other agency to use the same equipment.

Other than the GP40s and F40s, though. The Multilevels are now a standard design, with EXO/AMT and
SEPTA (built by CRRC) with the same design. Comets were a standard built for multiple agencies between
1970 and 2001.

@R36 It’s funny you should mention the DM30AC. NJT was once considering getting an engine that was very similar to those except with an overhead pantograph instead of low-mounted electrical pickups. (Whatever they are called)

While I do personally like the PL42s, I personally think NJT would’ve been better off rebuilding their existing diesel fleet they had at the time. Maybe put new motors and cabs on them too, like the SD40E3s that CSX has.