NJ Transit "Chevron" Heritage ALP-46A 4640

Published: April 8, 2026

In August 2023, NJ Transit unveiled one of the most visually striking additions to its growing heritage fleet: ALP-46A No. 4640 (styled “464O”), painted in a bold recreation of the agency’s original “Chevron Scheme,” often nicknamed the “Disco Stripe.” The locomotive was part of a broader initiative celebrating 40 years of NJ Transit Rail Operations, honoring both the agency’s legacy and its visual identity during the formative years of modern commuter service in New Jersey.

NJ Transit ALP-46A #4640 and #4636 (sporting a PRR heritage livery) are on display at Hoboken, New Jersey on October 1, 2023. Doug Kroll photo.

A Tribute to NJ Transit’s Early Years

Unlike other heritage locomotives in NJ Transit’s fleet—which honor predecessor railroads such as the Pennsylvania Railroad or Erie Lackawanna—No. 4640 pays tribute to NJ Transit itself, specifically the iconic branding introduced in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

The “Chevron Scheme” featured:

Angular striping in orange, red, and blue
A dynamic, forward-leaning pattern symbolizing motion
Widespread application across locomotives, coaches, and even buses

This design became synonymous with the transition era following the decline of private railroads and the rise of publicly supported commuter operations.

When Rail Operations forces repainted No. 4640:

The nose styling intentionally mimics the earlier ABB ALP-44, one of NJ Transit’s first modern electric locomotives.
The side panels adapt the look of the E60CH, which carried similar striping in the early NJ Transit era.

The result is not a direct replica, but a carefully blended homage—a modern locomotive wearing the DNA of multiple early NJ Transit designs.

The ALP-46A Platform: Modern Power for a Historic Look

No. 4640 is part of the ALP-46A class, a fleet of high-performance electric locomotives delivered between 2009 and 2011. Built by Bombardier Transportation, these units represent the backbone of NJ Transit’s electric operations.

Derived from Germany’s Class 101 locomotives, the ALP-46A combines European high-speed engineering with North American commuter requirements.

Today, these locomotives operate across NJ Transit’s electrified network, including:

Northeast Corridor
North Jersey Coast Line
Morris & Essex Lines
Montclair-Boonton Line

Specifications

Category	Specification
Builder	Bombardier Transportation
Build Dates	2009–2011
Wheel Arrangement	Bo′Bo′
Power System	25 kV 60 Hz / 12.5 kV 60 Hz / 12 kV 25 Hz AC
Power Output	5,600 kW (≈7,500 hp)
Maximum Speed	Up to 125 mph (200 km/h design; typically limited to 100 mph)
Starting Tractive Effort	316 kN (≈71,000 lbs)
Length	~65 feet (19.9 m)
Weight	~101 metric tons
Propulsion	AC traction motors with inverter control

Role Within NJ Transit’s Heritage Fleet

NJ Transit’s heritage program began in 2019 and has expanded steadily, featuring locomotives painted in historic liveries representing:

Pennsylvania Railroad
Erie Lackawanna
Central Railroad of New Jersey
NJDOT “Bluebird” scheme

4640 stands apart as:

The only unit honoring NJ Transit’s own early branding
A bridge between past and present, combining legacy aesthetics with modern technology
A visual symbol of continuity, reflecting how commuter rail in New Jersey evolved from fragmented private lines into a unified system

Reception and Legacy

Since entering service in its heritage livery, No. 4640 has become a fan favorite among rail enthusiasts and commuters alike. Its vibrant striping evokes a time when NJ Transit was still establishing its identity, while its cutting-edge performance underscores the agency’s ongoing modernization.

In many ways, 4640 represents the full arc of New Jersey commuter railroading—from the experimental branding of a new public agency to a mature, system-wide operation carrying hundreds of thousands of passengers daily.

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