GE Genesis

The GE Genesis (officially trademarked GENESIS ) is a series of passenger diesel locomotives built by GE Transportation for Amtrak, Metro-North, and Via Rail between 1992 and 2001. A total of 321 units were produced.

Designed to meet Amtrak's specifications, the Genesis series stands out for being the lowest North American diesel-electric locomotive at 14 ft tall. This allows for easier travel through low-clearance tunnels in the Northeast Corridor, especially compared to the earlier EMD F40PH which was 14 in taller.

Technical design
The GE Genesis series stands out for its unique, lightweight monocoque carbody design, styled by industrial designer Cesar Vergara. This innovative approach translates to improved aerodynamics and fuel efficiency compared to its predecessors. However, the complexity of the monocoque design results in slightly higher maintenance and repair costs. Notably, Amtrak equips its Genesis locomotives with bolt-on nose cones to facilitate rapid repairs in the event of a grade crossing collision.

The Genesis represents a significant leap forward in performance. It boasts a 22% improvement in fuel efficiency and delivers 25% more power compared to the F40PH. Furthermore, all Genesis locomotives utilize modern, four-stroke engines, surpassing the two-stroke technology employed in earlier EMD counterparts.

Further enhancing reliability, the Genesis is a fully computerized locomotive. Its onboard computer systems automatically manage various functions, including real-time adjustments to engine output in response to overheating, low oil pressure, or reduced airflow intake. This ensures continued operation during minor operational deviations, streamlining maintenance requirements.

All Genesis locomotives provide head-end power (HEP) to the train via an alternator or inverter powered by the main engine. This system delivers a maximum output of 800 kW, capable of powering up to 16 Superliner railcars. The P40DC and P42DC models offer two HEP configurations: normal mode with the engine speed locked at 900 rpm for providing both HEP and traction power, and standby mode with the engine speed locked at 720 rpm for HEP only (no traction power). The P32AC-DM offers greater operational flexibility with its HEP inverter. The engine can run at 1,047 rpm while delivering both traction power and HEP. Additionally, it can idle at 620 rpm (notch three) while still providing HEP for lighting and air conditioning when not in use for traction.

The Genesis utilizes trucks manufactured by Krupp Verkehrstechnik [de], which has since been acquired by Siemens Mobility. Newer Genesis locomotives reflect this change and carry the Siemens name.

Models
Three models of Genesis were built by General Electric, the P40DC, P42DC, and P32AC-DM.

P40DC
The P40DC (GENESIS Series I) or Dash 8-40BP (originally known as the AMD-103 or Amtrak Monocoque Diesel - 103MPH) is the first model in the Genesis series, built in 1993. The locomotive operates in a diesel-electric configuration that uses DC to power the traction motors, producing 4000 hp at 1047 rpm. Power output to the traction motors is 3550 hp when running in HEP mode (900 rpm) with a 0 kW HEP load. Traction power in HEP mode decreases to 2525 hp when providing the maximum 800 kW HEP load to the train. The P40DC is geared for a maximum speed of 103 mph. The P40DC was succeeded in 1996 by the P42DC.

A feature unique to the P40DC and P32AC-DM is a hostler stand at the rear of the locomotive providing increased visibility and reversing capabilities to the engineer while conducting reverse operations. When a unit is in operation from this stand it is limited to 10 mph and a dead man's switch protects against movement without an operator being present. Another unique feature to the original P40DC were the two strobes above the cab and an emergency flasher between the strobes. When they were overhauled, those features were removed.

Both the P40DC and P42DC allowed Amtrak to operate heavy long-distance trains with fewer locomotives compared to the older EMD F40PH locomotives; two P40DCs could do the same work as three F40PHs. Additional deliveries of the P42DC ended up replacing the P40DCs.

Three units were prematurely wrecked (819 in the 1993 Big Bayou Canot train wreck, 807 and 829 in the 1999 Bourbonnais, Illinois, train crash) and scrapped. Eight were leased and later sold to the Connecticut DOT for Shore Line East in 2005, and four were rebuilt and sold to New Jersey Transit in 2007; NJ Transit sold its units to ConnDOT in 2015.

The remaining 28 units were placed out-of-service for many years. 15 of these units were rebuilt using 2009 ARRA stimulus funds and returned to service, now in the Phase V livery, except for 822, which is painted in Phase III Heritage livery for Amtrak's 40th Anniversary. The units that were not rebuilt or sold have since been scrapped.

In January 2018, ConnDOT awarded a contract to Amtrak to overhaul their twelve P40DC locomotives at the Beech Grove Shops. The first unit was completed in early 2021. With the introduction of M8 EMU trains for Shore Line East service, the rebuilt P40DCs will be exclusively used on the Hartford Line.

Upgraded and "Stimulus" P40DCs
By 2007, New Jersey Transit had upgraded their P40DC units with updated prime movers to match the 4250 hp of the successor P42DC. This was done by readjusting the position of the lay shafts within the prime mover.

Amtrak has returned 15 of their P40DC units to service as part of a project funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The first of the units were returned to service in March 2010 after being overhauled at the Beech Grove Shops. They were upgraded like NJT's units had been a few years before to have 4250 hp and match the P42DC's maximum speed of 110 mph. They also received updated cab signaling systems. The upgraded locomotives still have mechanical air brakes, which makes them most suitable for trains that only require a single locomotive. This differs from the electronic air brakes on the P42DC and P32AC-DM. They also feature a builder's plate indicating that they were rebuilt under the auspices of the TIGER stimulus program.

P42DC
The P42DC (GENESIS Series I) is the successor model to the P40DC. It has an engine output of 4250 hp at 1,047 rpm, or 3550 hp when running in HEP mode (900 rpm) with a 0 kW HEP load. as with the P40DC, traction horsepower in HEP mode decreases to 2525 hp when providing the full 800 kW HEP load to the train.

The P42DC has a maximum speed of 110 mph compared to the 103 mph (166 km/h) maximum speed of the P40DC. Tractive effort is rated at 280.25 kN of starting effort and 169 kN of continuous effort at 38 mph given wheel power of 3850 hp.

P42DCs are used primarily on most of Amtrak's long-haul and higher-speed rail service outside the Northeast and lower Empire Corridors. They will be replaced on long-distance service by 125 Siemens ALC-42 Charger locomotives between 2021 and 2024, but will remain in service on shorter corridor trains.

Via Rail Canada has utilized P42DC locomotives since 2001, when they replaced the LRC locomotives that year. They are currently on services with speeds up to 100 mph, mainly on the Quebec City-Windsor rail corridor.

P32AC-DM
The P32AC-DM (GENESIS Series II, short for "Passenger, 3200 hp, Alternating Current, Dual Mode") was developed for both Amtrak and Metro-North. They can operate on power generated either by the on-board diesel prime mover or power collected from a third rail electrification system at 750 volts direct current; the third-rail shoes are used on the over-running third-rail into Penn Station for Amtrak units and the under-running third-rail into Grand Central Terminal for Metro-North. The P32AC-DM is rated at 3200 hp, 2900 hp when supplying HEP, and is geared for a maximum speed of 110 mph. Tractive effort is rated at 275.8 kN of starting effort from zero to 14 mph and 113.43 kN of continuous effort at 40 mph given wheel power of 2700 hp.

The P32AC-DM is unique as it is equipped with GE's GEB15 AC (alternating current) traction motors, rather than DC (direct current) motors as used in the other subtypes. It is also only one of two modern American electro-diesel locomotives with third-rail capability, along with the EMD DM30AC operated by the Long Island Rail Road. NJ Transit and Exo's Bombardier ALP-45DP electro-diesel locomotive can operate from overhead catenary electrification.

The P32AC-DM is only used on services operating north from New York City, where diesel emissions through its two fully enclosed main terminal stations are prohibited. Amtrak rosters 18 P32AC-DM locomotives and uses them for its Empire Service, Ethan Allen Express, Lake Shore Limited (New York section), Adirondack, and Maple Leaf services, all of which travel to New York Penn Station. Metro-North rosters 31 P32AC-DM locomotives on push-pull trains to Grand Central Terminal; four are owned by the Connecticut Department of Transportation. The Metro-North and ConnDOT fleet of P32AC-DM locomotives will eventually be replaced by new Siemens SC-42DM Charger locomotives beginning in 2027.