Arrow (railcar)
| Arrow I/II/III | |
|---|---|
New Jersey Transit train led by Arrow III #1327 pulls into the Far Hills station.
|
|
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Operator(s) |
Penn Central Railroad Conrail (under NJDOT) New Jersey Transit |
| Line(s) 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 (26,000 mm) |
| Width | 9 ft 11 1⁄2 in (3,035 mm) |
| Doors | 2 end doors w/ traps 1 middle door high level only |
| Maximum speed | 100 mph (160 km/h) ~80 mph (130 km/h) (Arrow III, post-rebuild) |
| Traction system | Transformed alternating current fed through either Ignitron (Arrow I/II) or Silicon-controlled (Arrow III) rectifiers to phase angle DC motor controller. Arrow III fleet converted to AC traction 1992-95. |
| Power output | Arrow III rebuilt (pair): 1,125 hp (839 kW) Arrow III rebuilt (single): 750 hp (560 kW) |
| Power supply | Catenary |
| Electric system(s) |
12 kV 25 Hz AC Catenary (Arrow I/II/III) 12 kV 60 Hz AC Catenary (Arrow II/III) 25 kV 60 Hz AC Catenary (Arrow II/III) |
| Current collection method | Pantograph |
| 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 New Jersey Transit. Three models were built but only the third is in use today. The series is similar to SEPTA's Silverliner series, but include center doors among other differences in details.
The first series of Arrows (classed MA-1A or PRR MP85E6) were built in 1968-69 by the St. Louis Car Company; 35 were built and purchased by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT). 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 a integral (monocoque) structure with the stainless center sill.
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. It was stored in Sunnyside Yard until the mid 80s, when it was scrapped.
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