Amtrak Photo Archive
an unofficial Amtrak site

The AEM 7 #900-909
the "Toasters"
 The AEM7s were based on the Swedish RC series of locomotive.
Here is RC2 #1129 (built 1974) in Malmoe Sweden, taken by
Helge Kristoffersson in May 2000
 
 A photo of Croatian ASEA - 1141 301. This is new Croatian color scheme (inspired with state flag) for thyristor locomotives. Photo by Toma Bacic 
In late 1976 and early 1977, Amtrak tested the prototype of the AEM7, a Swedish R4c. Numbered X995 for its tests, it was built by ASEA (Allmanna Svenska Elektriska Aktiebolaget) an old and well - established Swedish Electric Corporation. 
 
X995 at Sunnyside Yard New York City January 1977 
 
 X995 at Wilmington DE Shops February 1977

The first AEM7 was built at EMD at La Grange IL in mid November 1979.
AEM7 stands for (ASEA Electro-Motive 7000 hp). The locomotive design, trucks, major electrical components are from Sweden - the body from Budd - and was assembled by EMD.
This new (to U.S.) straight electric locomotive was the replacement for the GG-1.

They weigh 101 tons (versus 238-ton GG1). With all the weight on eight drivers, the AEM7 has the highest horsepower to weight ratio (70hp/ton) ever, coupled with a sophisticated wheelslip control (Pressductor) system.

The AEM7s were designed to operate on three voltages:
12,000VAC/25 cycle (old PRR standard),
12,500VAC/60 cycle standard utility frequency for stations, tunnels
25,000V, AC new standard utility frequency for Northeast Corridor

Amtrak had been planing to change the North east corridor to the cheaper 25000v electric for several years and need a locomotive that could bridge the change over. The E-60s could be converted but the GG-1,
E-33 and E44 could not be.

Numbers 900-929 were delivered throughout 1980 and early 1981. The second order for 930-946 were ordered soon after.

Another first is the use of both tread and disk brakes on all wheels. They are equipped with dynamic brakes and HEP.

The first thirty cost over $1.5 million each, and the next seventeen, over $2.5 million each.


Currently there are 52 of them numbered 901-953, geared for 125 mph.
These 7000HP units weigh 201,500lbs

Built 1980-1988 in several orders

In 1999 # 915 is slated to be the first unit to undergo a re-manufacturing program at the Wilmington Locomotive Shop.
All ASEA propulsion and HEP equipment has been removed and structural reinforcement modifications are underway. ALHSTROM is
supplying all new propulsion, HEP, and new AC traction motors. All components are designed to fit present A7 body and trucks.
Re-manufactured AEM7 to be reclassified as AEM7-AC.

2012 - Replacements ordered - the end is near

It is time to start efforts to preserve one of these workhorses!

When you get the page loaded, click on the image or AEM-7 number to view a larger image

 
Location & Information  Date  Photo Credit
 Pueblo CO
DOT Test Track
Oct 10, 1980
 Robert Harman
 Chicago IL
900 and 903 were destroyed in a tragic wreck on January 4, 1987 in Chase, MD
 September 1983
 from the
collection of
Joseph Testagrose
 Newark NJ
 July 2, 1980
 from the
collection of
Jim Hebner
 Washington DC
 May 24, 1981
 Bob Grahm
 
 Washington DC
 May 24, 1981
 Bob Grahm
 New Haven CT
unknown
 from the
collection of
Albert Phleep
Wilmington Shops DE
with replacements on the way - it looks like Amtrak is letting theire age show
Sept 2013
T J Van Haag
Wilmington Shops DE
with replacements on the way - it looks like Amtrak is letting their age show
Sept 2013
T J Van Haag
 New Haven CT
 October 1986
 Camille Chappuis
 Washington DC
 January 21, 1999
 Dick Leonhardt
 Washington DC
 October 1997
 Bill Hakkarinen
 before it was destroyed in a tragic wreck on
Jan 4, 1987 in Chase MD
 from the
collection of
Albert Phleep
 Leaving Baltimore MD
July 1997
 Bill Hakkarinen
AMTK - Tacony (Philadelphia) PA
Oct 21, 2014
Gerhard Stuebben
AMTK - Tacony (Philadelphia) PA
Oct 21, 2014
Gerhard Stuebben
 New Haven CT
June 7, 1981
 from the
collection of
Frank Szachaccz
 New York NY
Penn Station
 May 27,1998
 Jeff Lubchansky
 New Carrollton MD
Jan 19, 1999
 Dick Leonhardt
 Landover MD
Jan 19, 1999
 Dick Leonhardt
Westwood MA
  Oct 11, 2002
 Adrian Turner
 Martin Airport MD
( Middle River )
 July 1997
 Bill Hakkarinen
 Wilmington, DE
906 leads, 950 trails
Dedicated to the men and women who fought for our country.
Taken on Memorial Day with total freedom... Train # M211.
  May 28, 2001
 Bruce Friedman
 BWI Rail Station MD
 May 1993
 Bill Hakkarinen
 in the new "Acela Express"
paint scheme
 Nov 1999
 Rob Palmer
 Martin Airport MD
(Middle River)
 January 25, 2000
 Bill Hakkarinen
 Most of the time we think of the AEM-7's running down the Northeast Corridor. we tend to forget that they may be underground. Here is #907 in a typical underground scene, in New York's Pennsylvania Station.
 May 18, 2000
 Bill Hakkarinen
 Allen Tillotson
Stamford CT 
 Oct 23, 2005
 New Haven CT
 Jan 4, 1981
 Joseph Testagrose
 Philadelphia PA
 Jan 16, 1997
 Dick Leonhardt
 New Carrollton MD
 Jan 19, 1999
 Dick Leonhardt
 Landover MD
 Jan 19, 1999
 Dick Leonhardt
 New Haven CT
 February 1997
 Stephen A Thomas
Willmington DE
 September 2000
 Ed Waldrup 

Back to the Amtrak Photo Archive Main Page

Contributions welcome and credited.

Most of the photos on this site are from original photos/slides or submissions. Some photos are from the web - I have tried to get permission to use on all of them, but a few may have slipped through. Please, let me know if that has happened.

as of Aug 3, 1999 all Amtrak AEM-7s are shown!

This archive was first accessed August 1996

Updated Oct 2021