Arrow (railcar)

Railcar

This article is about the U.S. electric multiple unit train. For other train cars, see Arrow (disambiguation).

Arrow I/II/III

New Jersey Transit train 3936 led by Arrow III #1515 pulls into Princeton Junction.

Interior of an Arrow III car.

In service|

* Arrow I: 1968–1980
* Arrow II: 1974–1997
* Arrow III: 1977–present

Manufacturer|

* Arrow I: St. Louis Car Company
* Arrow II/III: General Electric, Avco

Family name| Jersey Arrow
Replaced|

* Lackawanna Railroad MU
* Pennsylvania Railroad MP54

Number built|

* Arrow I: 35
* Arrow II: 70
* Arrow III: 230

Formation|

* Arrow I/III: Single unit
* Arrow II/III: Married pair

Fleet numbers|

* Arrow I: 1200–1233 ex 100–134
* Arrow I Rebuild: 500–533
* Arrow II: 1234–1303
* Arrow III: 1304–1533

Operators|

* Penn Central Railroad
* Conrail (under NJDOT)
* New Jersey Transit

Lines served|

* Northeast Corridor Line
* Princeton Branch
* North Jersey Coast Line
* Morris & Essex Lines (Arrow II and III only)

Specifications
Car body construction| Stainless steel
Car length| 85 ft (26 m)
Width| 9 ft 11+1⁄2 in (3,035 mm)
Doors|

* 2 end doors with traps
* 1 middle door high level only

Maximum speed| 80–100 mph (130–160 km/h) (Arrow III, post-rebuild)
Weight|

* 124,500 lb (56,472 kg)
(Arrow III A & B cars)
* 132,500 lb (60,101 kg)
(Arrow III S cars)

Traction system|

* Ignitron rectifier (Arrow I/II) or SCR (Arrow III pre-rehab) AC-DC phase-fired controller
* ABB GTO–VVVF (Arrow III post-rehab)

Power output|

* Arrow III rebuilt (pair): 1,125 hp (839 kW)
* Arrow III rebuilt (single): 750 hp (560 kW)

Electric system(s)| Overhead line;

* 12 kV 25 Hz AC (Arrow I/II/III)
* 12 kV 60 Hz AC (Arrow II/III)
* 25 kV 60 Hz AC (Arrow II/III)

Current collector(s)| Pantograph
UIC classification| Bo′Bo′ (Arrow I/III)
Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′ (Arrow II/III)
Bo′Bo′+Bo′2′ (Arrow III rebuild)
AAR wheel arrangement| B-B (Arrow I/III)
B-B+B-B (II/III)
B-B+B-2 (III rebuild)
Bogies| General Steel GSI 70
Braking system(s)| Pneumatic, dynamic
Coupling system| WABCO Model N-2

The Jersey Arrow is a type of electric multiple unit (EMU) railcar developed for the Pennsylvania Railroad, and used through successive commuter operators in New Jersey, through to NJ Transit. Three models were built, but only the third model is in use today. The series is similar to SEPTA's Silverliner series, but include center doors among other differences in details.

## Arrow I

[edit]

A two-car set of Arrow I cars in Penn Central service at Harrison in 1969

The first series of Arrows (classed MA-1A or PRR MP85E6[1]) were built in 1968–69 by the St. Louis Car Company; 35 were built and purchased by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT).[2] These cars were initially numbered 100–134. These cars were built with higher capacity 3-2 seating which caused grumbling by the passengers at that time.

In 1966, the NJDOT ordered 35 PRR "MP85" class MU cars from St. Louis Car for high speed service between New York and Trenton with a design based on the SEPTA/PSIC (Passenger Service Improvement Corporation) Silverliner III units then under order from St. Louis Car. The first two cars (100 and 101) were delivered in August 1968 and passenger service for the New Jersey Arrows began October 30, 1968. The body and structure (except end sills and bolsters) was all stainless steel. The stainless sheetmetal that made up the sides, ends and roof were load-carrying as part of an integral (monocoque) structure with the stainless center sill.[1]

Although these cars bear some resemblance to the Silverliner III also produced by St. Louis Car at the time, they are very different mechanically. They featured diamond-shaped twin-arm Stemmann pantographs, rounder windows, a right-side operating controls, center doors, and a different body shape. The Arrow I used Westinghouse SCR "Tracpak" propulsion units with 700 HP per car with four motors; while the Silverliners had GE air-cooled Ignitrons .

Car 107 caught fire early in its career and was scrapped. Car 105 was also severely damaged in a collision in the East River Tunnel near New York Penn Station in 1975.[3] It was stored in Sunnyside Yard until the mid 80s, when it was scrapped.

During 1976, 19 of the 33 surviving Arrow Is were rebuilt to be compatible with the new Arrow IIs. This involved the replacement of Symington-Wayne SW800 "hook type" couplers with the Wabco N2A couplers used by subsequent Arrow MUs.[4] As they were rebuilt, they were renumbered 500–533, with car 134 being renumbered 507 to account for the loss of 107.

A further renumbering of the Arrow Is to 1200-1233 was planned, however this was never implemented as the Arrow Is were instead retired. The Arrow Is were stored as the Arrow IIIs arrived from General Electric. All cars were out of service by 1980 due to reliability issues with their Westinghouse control equipment. These problems were a result of poor wiring and frequent electrical grounds.

### Comet IB conversion

[edit]

An NJT Comet IB at Hoboken Terminal

Main article: Comet (railcar) § Comet IB

The Arrow I cars sat unused until 1986. Realizing that the car bodies still had many decades of service left on them, New Jersey Transit made the decision to have them rebuilt into locomotive-hauled coaches, nicknamed Comaro coaches. Thirty cars were converted in 1987–88 into the Comet IB cab control cars and trailer coaches by Morrison-Knudsen at the Hornell, New York shop.[2] Three Arrow Is, 519, 521 and 523, were heavily damaged by arson, and were salvaged for use in the Comet IB program before being scrapped. The rebuilt Comet IB cars remained in service for two decades (first on Newark Division diesel service, and then transferred to Hoboken Division diesel lines in 2005) before being retired by New Jersey Transit in late 2008, with some now leased or sold, and others since scrapped.[1]

Fourteen were rebuilt again for Amtrak California (Caltrans) as interim coaches. Cabs were removed from the 12 cab cars, and the interiors rebuilt to resemble Amtrak coaches, with 64-passenger intercity seating installed in place of the old commuter seating.[5] The 14 rebuilt Caltrans Comet IBs were overhauled and delivered between 2013 and 2014 and are in service on the San Joaquins line.

## Arrow II

[edit]

Arrow II cars at Bowie in August 1978

In 1974, General Electric produced 70 Arrow II cars in the married pair format, classed MA-1G. These cars were built in GE's Erie (PA) shops with car shells from Avco. The Arrow IIs were numbered 534–603. They were purchased specifically to replace the ancient PRR MP54s, which were slowly phased out of New Jersey service in late 1977.

The Arrow IIs were constructed following the production of SEPTA's single unit Silverliner IVs, but prior to the Married Pair Silverliner IV units. Indeed, the Arrow II and the Silverliner IV share the same body shell, cab corner air scoops and single-arm Faiveley pantographs, with the primary differences being the shorter air intake hump on the roof, corresponding lack of dynamic brakes, and the inclusion of the high-level center door as on the Arrow I.

One important feature was the 2-2 seating, which was a result of passenger dissatisfaction with the 3-2 seating on the Arrow I. The Arrow IIs also featured a toilet in the B-car.

In service, the Arrow IIs were frequently leased to Amtrak for off-hour Clocker trains. From June 1978 until the summer of 1979, the Arrow IIs were leased to the Maryland Department of Transportation, where they bumped the last operating MP54s from service. Cars 590-591 were heavily damaged in a collision at Seabrook, Maryland on June 9, 1978, early in their service in Maryland, but were later returned to service. From late 1979 until 1982, the Arrow IIs were loaned to Amtrak and were used for Silverliner Service and off-peak Clockers.

Upon the formation of NJ Transit, the Arrow IIs were called back to New Jersey. The Arrow IIs had been well worn during their time with Amtrak, and required a thorough overhaul.

Work began at Morrison Knudsen in January 1983, with the cars receiving several upgrades for compatibility with the Arrow IIIs. Almost every part was rebuilt or upgraded, including brakes, couplers, motors, gearboxes, and electrical gear. Among some of the noticeable changes, the 2-2 seats were replaced with 3-2 seats, increasing the capacity of the A-car from 100 to 119, and the B car from 96 to 113. In addition, the B-car featured a fold up handicap seat. The toilets were also rebuilt. The sliding doors were rebuilt to be compatible with Arrow III circuitry, and to be sensitive to objects they encounter when closing. The window glass was replaced with polycarbonate glazing. End strobes, new marker lights and a new pilot were installed on the cab ends, and the key operated locks were all standardized to match the Erie Lackawanna coach keys as used on the Arrow III. Finally, the main transformers were cleaned of PCBs and replaced with an EPA approved substitute.[6]

The cars were renumbered to 1234–1303, and repainted for NJ Transit as they were out-shopped from late 1983 through 1984.

The Arrow IIs briefly returned to service on the Newark Division, but were ultimately reassigned to the Hoboken Division for the rest of their service lives. In 1997, the decision was made to retire them due to rotting floors and holes in the roofs, with ALP44s and Comet IV coaches (ordered for Midtown Direct service) in push-pull configuration as replacements. Most were scrapped in 2001. Pair 1236–1237, renumbered to 601–602, remains (however split) as part of SEPTA's wire inspection train.[2]

## Arrow III

[edit]

A train of Arrow III cars at South Orange in 1986 A train of Arrow III cars headed east through Rahway

The Arrow IIIs were built in 1977 and 1978 by General Electric[7] in the same fashion as the Arrow IIs. They consist of 200 cars built as married pairs (1334–1533) and 30 single cars (1304–1333).[2] These cars were initially ordered as part of a plan to rehabilitate the NJDOT (Later NJ Transit's) Hoboken division, converting the 3,000 volt DC system to a 25 Kv 60 Hz AC system. However, due to the retirement of the Arrow I MUs, and the Arrow IIs frequently being leased to Amtrak and MARC, as well as delays to the rehabilitation of the Hoboken electrification, the Arrow IIIs were assigned to the former Penn Central electrified lines instead.[2] As a result, the Arrow IIs and only a portion of the Arrow III fleet were devoted to the Hoboken division when the electrification work was finally finished in 1984, with the remaining Arrow IIIs being assigned as the only MUs in service on the Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast Line.[2] Due to the lack of an automatic transformer tap changer, the Arrow IIIs cannot switch between line voltages while in service. To prevent confusion, a triangular orange sticker is affixed under the front window of each car, with the current voltage the unit is set to: "12K" for the Newark Division and "25K" for the Hoboken Division. After the North Jersey Coast Line was changed to 25 kV south of Matawan, MU service to Long Branch was replaced by push-pull trainsets only.

The Arrow III's body shell is similar to the Silverliner IV and Arrow II. However, the Arrow IIIs have some prominent differences, notably the two small air intake blisters (as opposed to the large humps on prior models). The Arrow IIIs also featured the twin-arm Stemmann pantographs as on the Arrow Is, built by the United Knitting Machine corporation. These were replaced with single arm TransTech type pantographs between 2011 and 2014. The large central air scoop over the center of the roof on each cab end is the final major spotting feature. Additionally, the Arrow IIIs saw the return of 3-2 seating.

The Arrow IIIs were given a mid-life overhaul between 1992 and 1995 by ABB. The rebuild replaced the original DC propulsion system with a new solid state 3-phase AC 4-pole asynchronous propulsion system using GTO thyristor technology and VVVF inverter control that also included higher power traction motors with a total of about 375 hp per two axle truck. The increased power per motor allowed for motors to be eliminated from the truck located on the cab-end of the pantograph car in each of the married pairs, reducing the number of powered axles per pair to 6 although raising horsepower to 1125. Single units retained all 4 powered axles with a total of 750 hp. After the rebuild was completed, problems were encountered with both traction motor and axle bearing overheating which lowered the maximum permitted speed in service from 100 mph (160 km/h) to 90 mph (140 km/h) and, later, 80 mph (130 km/h).

### Prolonged service and future retirement

[edit]

As of 2013, New Jersey Transit uses Arrow IIIs extensively on the Morris & Essex Lines (Hoboken to/from Gladstone or Dover/Summit), the Montclair-Boonton Line (Montclair State University to/from Hoboken), the Princeton Branch, the North Jersey Coast Line (New York to/from Rahway or Matawan), and the Northeast Corridor Line (New York to/from Jersey Avenue/Trenton), although in the summer and fall of 2014, many Comet series cars (including Comet V cars) replaced the Arrow III cars for the express service to/from New York, the weekend shuttle service between New York and Secaucus Junction, and service to Rahway, South Amboy, and Matawan on the North Jersey Coast Line.[2]

During the later years of Arrow III's service, New Jersey Transit had considerations to replace all Arrow IIIs with self-propelled railcars similar in design of the Bombardier Multilevel coach. In December 2018, a contract was awarded to Bombardier for 113 new electric multiple unit coaches, designated as MultiLevel III; 58 units with AC electric propulsion systems and 55 unpowered cars.[8] The contract included options for up to 636 more cars for NJ Transit, as well as options for 250 cars for SEPTA Regional Rail if fully exercised.[9][8]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c "NJDOT/NJ Transit Arrow I "Comarrow" Cars". R36 Preservation, Inc.
2. ^ a b c d e f g Rosenbaum, Joel (1996). NJ Transit Rail Operations. Railpace. ISBN 0962154164.
3. ^ "Train Crash Kills Engineer". Reading Eagle: 5. July 30, 1975.
4. ^ Anderson, Norman (June 1988). "Morrison-Knudsen 1987: Locomotive and Carbuilding Activities Part I". Pacific RailNews (295): 17–23\. Archived from the original on March 1, 2017.
5. ^ Brinckerhoff, Parsons. "Caltrans Comet IB Presentation to the San Joaquin Valley Rail Committee" (PDF). Amtrak California.
6. ^ Anderson, Norman (June 1984). "Morrison-Knudsen 1983: Locomotive and Carbuilding Activities". Pacific News (250): 16–21\. Archived from the original on March 1, 2017.
7. ^ Carleton, Paul (1982). Under Pennsy Wires. D. Carleton Railbooks Publication. p. 246.
8. ^ a b "NJ Transit orders new equipment from Bombardier". Trains Magazine. December 13, 2018. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
9. ^ "Commuter Rail Fleet Strategy 2014-2020" (PDF). New Jersey Transit. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 3, 2019. Retrieved September 3, 2015.

## External links

[edit]

Media related to Arrow (railcar) at Wikimedia Commons

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NJ Transit Rail Operations

Hoboken Division|

*      Bergen County Line
*      Main Line
*      Meadowlands Rail Line
*      Montclair–Boonton Line
* Morris & Essex Lines (     Morristown Line and      Gladstone Branch)
*      Pascack Valley Line
*      Port Jervis Line

Newark Division|

*      Atlantic City Line
*      North Jersey Coast Line
*      Northeast Corridor Line
*      Princeton Branch
*      Raritan Valley Line

Connections|

* Aldene Connection
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Current rolling stock|

* EMD GP40PH-2
* ALP-46
* ALP-45DP
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* Comet coaches
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* Arrow multiple units

Bridges and tunnels|

* Beach Bridge
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* Shark River Draw
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Stations and yards|

* List of stations
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Proposed lines|

* Lackawanna Cut-Off
* Monmouth Ocean Middlesex Line
* West Trenton Line

Other topics|

* Access to the Region's Core
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* Glassboro–Camden Line
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