Dual-Powered Gas Turbine/Electric (GT/E) Commuter Rail Cars: Test, Evaluation and Economics

摘要

Dual powered gas turbine/electric (GT/E) multiple-unit trains function as electric-powered multiple-unit (EMU) trains on railroad lines where wayside electric power is provided, and as high performance turbine-powered trains over trackage which is not electrified. This type of train can provide direct, high-speed service between outlying lines having no electrification and downtown terminals such as those in New York where access via tunnels requires use of electric propulsion. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has purchased eight prototype GT/E cars, four from the General Electric Co. (GE) and four from the Garrett Corp. All eight cars were operated in revenue service on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). This report describes the design considerations that lead to the configuration of the GT/E cars and contains a description of the cars as built by GE and Garrett. The last portion of the report compares the costs of using GT/E trains to provide direct service to New York from select non-electrified lines with costs of extending electrification over those lines and operating conventional MU trains. Three rail lines are examined: the LIRR Port Jefferson and Oyster Bay branches, the Conrail's Upper Hudson to Poughkeepsie.