Amtrak's 25 Hz traction power system

See also: SEPTA's 25 Hz Traction Power System

An Amtrak HHP-8 under 25 Hz wire

Amtrak's 25 Hz Traction Power System is a traction power grid operated by Amtrak along the southern portion of its Northeast Corridor (NEC): the 363 route miles (584 km) between Washington, D.C. and New York City and the 104 route miles (167 km) between Philadelphia and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Railroad constructed it between 1915 and 1938. Amtrak inherited the system from Penn Central, the successor to Pennsylvania Railroad, in 1976 along with the Northeast Corridor. In addition to serving the NEC, the system provides power to New Jersey Transit Rail Operations (NJT), the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and the Maryland Area Regional Commuter Train (MARC). Only about half of the system's electrical capacity is used by Amtrak. The remainder is sold to the commuter railroads who operate their trains along the corridor.

History

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Old substation built for the 1915 electrification project at Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Outdoor yard is an addition.

The Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) began experimenting with electric traction in 1910, coincident with their completion of the trans-Hudson tunnels and New York Penn Station. These initial systems were low-voltage direct current (DC) third rail systems. While they performed adequately for tunnel service, the PRR ultimately determined them to be inadequate for long distance, high-speed electrification.

Other railroads had by this time experimented with low frequency (less than 60 Hz) alternating current (AC) systems. These low-frequency systems had the AC advantage of higher transmission voltages, reducing resistive losses over long distances, as well as the typically DC advantage of easy motor control as universal motors could be employed with transformer tap changer control gear. Pantograph contact with trolley wire is also more tolerant of high speeds and variations in track geometry. The New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad had already electrified a portion of its Main Line in 1908 at 11 kV AC 25 Hz and this served as a template for the PRR, which installed its own trial main line electrification between Philadelphia and Paoli, Pennsylvania in 1915. Power was transmitted along the tops of the catenary supports using four single phase, 2 wire 44 kV distribution circuits. Tests on the line using experimental electric locomotives such as the PRR FF1 revealed that the 44 kV distribution lines would be insufficient for heavier loads over longer distances.

In the 1920s the PRR decided to electrify major portions of its eastern rail network and because any sort of commercial electric grid simply did not yet exist at the time the railroad constructed its own distribution system to transmit power from a select number of generating sites to trains possibly hundreds of miles distant. To accomplish this the PRR chose to implement a pioneering system of single-phase high voltage transmission lines at 132 kV, stepped down to the 11 kV at regularly spaced substations along the right of way.

The first line to be electrified under this new system was between Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware in the late 1920s. By 1930, catenary extended from Philadelphia to Trenton, New Jersey, by 1933 to New York City, and by 1935 south to Washington, D.C. Finally in 1939 the main line from Paoli west to Harrisburg was completed along with several freight-only lines. Also included were the Trenton cutoff and the Port Road Branch. Superimposed on these electrified lines was an independent power grid delivering 25 Hz current from the point of generation to electric locomotives anywhere on nearly 500 route miles (800 km) of track, all under the control of electric power dispatchers in Harrisburg, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York City.

Northeast railroads atrophied in the years following World War II; the PRR was no exception. The infrastructure of the northeast corridor remained essentially unchanged through the series of mergers and bankruptcies which ended in Amtrak's creation and acquisition of the former PRR lines which came to be known as the Northeast Corridor. The circa 1976 Northeast Corridor Improvement Project had originally planned to convert the PRR's system to the utility grid standard of 60 Hz. Ultimately, this plan was shelved as economically infeasible and the electrical traction infrastructure was left largely unchanged with the exception of a general traction power voltage increase to 12 kV and a corresponding transmission voltage increase to 138 kV.

During the 1970s, several of the original converter or power stations which had originally supplied power to the system were shut down. Also the end of electrified through freight service on the Main Line to Paoli allowed the original 1915 substations and their 44 kV distribution lines to be decommissioned with that 20-mile section of track being fed from 1930s-era substations on either end. In the decade between 1992 and 2002, several static converter stations were commissioned to replace stations that had or were being shut down. Jericho Park, Richmond, and Sunnyside Yard converters were all installed during this period. This replaced much of the electrical frequency conversion equipment, but the lineside transmission and distribution equipment were unchanged.

In 2003, Amtrak commenced a capital improvement plan that involved planned replacement of much of the lineside network including 138/12 kV transformers, circuit breakers, and catenary wire. Statistically, this capital improvement has resulted in significantly fewer delays, although dramatic system shutdowns have still occurred.

See also: PRR Rail Line Electrification Project

Specifications and statistics

West Philadelphia Substation 1915

The 25 Hz system was built by the Pennsylvania Railroad with a nominal voltage of 11.0 kV. The nominal operating voltages were raised in 1948 and are now:

• Catenary (Traction) Voltage : 12.0 kV
• Transmission Voltage: 138 kV
• Signal Power:
  • 2.2 kV 91⅔ Hz - NY Penn Area. 60 Hz used 1910-1931. 100 Hz installed but quickly changed to avoid interference caused by simultaneous AC and DC electrification.
  • 3.3 kV 100 Hz - Paoli/Chestnut Hill. 60 Hz used 1915/18-1930.
  • 6.9 kV 91⅔ Hz - all electrification work from 1930 onward.

As of 1997, the system included:

• 951 miles of 138 kV transmission line,
• 55 substations,
• 147 transformers, and
• 1104 miles of 12 kV catenary.

Over 550 GWhr of energy are consumed annually by locomotives on the system. If this was consumed at a constant rate over the entire year (although it is not in practice), the average system load would be approximately 63 MW.

The system power factor varies between 0.75 and around 0.85.

Power sources

See also: Traction current converter plant

Electrical power originates at seven generation or conversion facilities. The nameplate capacity of all the power sources in the system is about 354 MW. The instantaneous peak loading on the system is between 210-220 MW (as of c. 2009) during the morning rush hour, and up to 225 MW during afternoon. Peak load has risen significantly in the last decade - in 1997 the peak load was 148 MW. As a point of comparison, an HHP-8 electric locomotive is rated for a 6 MW (equivalent to 8,000 hp) mechanical output, after conversion and Head End Power losses.

Regardless of the source, all converter and generator plants supply power to the transmission system at 138 kV, 25 Hz, single phase, using two wires. Typically at least two separate 138 kV circuits follow each right of way to supply the lineside substations.

Currently, the following converter and generating plants are operable, although all are rarely in operation simultaneously due to maintenance shutdowns and overhaul:

Location	Capacity (MW)	In-service	Comments
Sunnyside Yard (Long Island)	30	c. 1996	Static Inverter
Metuchen	25	1933	Motor Generator
Richmond	180	2002	Static Inverter
Lamokin	48	1928	(3) Motor Generators
Safe Harbor	81	1938	(2) Water turbines; (1) Motor Generator
Jericho Park	20	1992	Static Cycloconverter
System Total Capacity	354

Three types of equipment are currently in operation: hydroelectric generators, motor-generators (sometimes called rotary frequency converters), and static frequency converters.

Hydroelectric generators

The Safe Harbor Dam generates 25 Hz railroad power via two turbines in the east end of the turbine hall and an M-G set outside against the Dam face.

• Safe Harbor Dam, PA - The Safe Harbor Dam has two 28 MW, single phase, turbines dedicated to 25 Hz power generation. A 25 MW bi-directional motor generator type frequency converter is also installed. The total 25 Hz capacity of the dam is 81 MW. Power from Safe Harbor is transmitted via the Conestoga substation to Royalton, Pennsylvania, Parkesburg, Pennsylvania (two circuits), and Perryville, Maryland (four circuits) where it is fed into the lineside 138 kV network.

The 25 Hz machines at the dam are scheduled by Amtrak but owned and operated by Safe Harbor Water Power Company. Amtrak typically uses this source as a peaking power source, similarly to most hydroelectric plants in the US. Like other hydroelectric plants, it also has excellent black start capability. This was most recently demonstrated during the 2006 blackout. After a cascade shutdown of converters had left the network de-energized, it was recovered using Safe Harbor's generators, and the other converters subsequently brought back online.

During the twelve-month period ending August 2009, Safe Harbor supplied about 133 GWh of energy to the Amtrak substation at Perryville. Typically, two thirds of the Safe Harbor output is routed through Perryville, the remainder being sent through Harrisburg or Parkesburg. This suggests that Safe Harbor supplies around 200 GWh of energy annually into the 25 Hz network. 39°55′36″N 76°23′6″W

Motor generators (rotary frequency converters)

Motor generators and steam turbine generators were the original power sources on the PRR traction power network. The last steam turbine shut down in 1954, but some of the original motor generators remain. Although the converting machines are frequently called 'rotary converters' or 'rotary frequency converters', they are not the rotary converter used frequently by subways to convert low-frequency alternating current to DC power. The converters used are more precisely described as motor generators and consist of two synchronous AC machines on a common shaft with different ratios of poles; they are not electrically connected as in a true rotary converter.

Principal advantages of motor generators include very high fault current ratings and clean output current. Solid state electronics can be damaged very quickly, so the microprocessor control systems react very quickly to over-correct conditions to place the converter in a safe, idle mode; or to trip the output circuit breaker. Motor generators are (being of 1930s design) heavily overbuilt. The machines can absorb large load transients and demanding fault conditions and continue to remain online. Their output waveform is also perfectly sinusoidal without noise or higher harmonic output. They can actually absorb harmonic noise produced by solid state devices, effectively serving as a filter. This, combined with their high fault current capability make them desirable in a stabilizing role within the power system. Amtrak has retained two of the original converter plants and plans to overhaul them and continue their operation indefinitely.

Disadvantages of motor generators include lower efficiency, generally between 83% (lightly loaded machine) and 92% (fully loaded machine). A cycloconverter efficiency can exceed 95%. They also require more maintenance due their nature as rotating machines. Their replacement would also be difficult today due to high cost and limited demand for these large 25 Hz machines.

• Metuchen, NJ - 25 MW Motor Generator. Upgrades to transmission lines and circuit breakers are planned for 2010. 40.530743°N 74.347281°W / 40.530743; -74.347281 (Metuchen Rotary Frequency Converter)

• Lamokin (Chester), Pennsylvania - The Lamokin plant was built in the 1920s and has a net capacity of 48 MW and consists of three 16 MW motor generators. All three units will be overhauled, including re-winding of rotors and stators, and replacement of slip ring assemblies. Associated breakers and cables are also planned for replacement. 39.843241°N 75.377225°W / 39.843241; -75.377225 (Lamokin Rotary Frequency Converter)

Static frequency converters

The static converters in the system were commissioned during the decade between 1992 and around 2002. Chief advantages of static converters over motor generators include lower capital cost, lower operating costs, and higher conversion efficiency. The Jericho Park converter exceeds its efficiency design criteria of 95%. Major disadvantages of solid state converters include harmonic frequency generation on both the 25 Hz and 60 Hz sides, and lower overload capability.

• Sunnyside Yard (Long Island City), NY - Static Inverter rated at 30 MW ordered from ABB in 1993 for $27 million. This converter is operated by Amtrak and generally runs at low continuous loading to provide peaking and reactive power support to the New York area. 40.750499°N 73.921753°W / 40.750499; -73.921753 (Sunnyside Yard Static Converter)

• Richmond (Philadelphia), PA - The Richmond Static Converter plant consists of five 36 MW modules and has a net capacity of 180 MW. It was ordered from Siemens in 1999 for $60 million and installation was completed around 2002. The plant receives 69 kV, three phase, 60 Hz power from the PECO Energy Company. Although the exact electrical architecture of the converter modules is unknown, they are presumably of the DC link variety (Rectifier, filtering capacity, and inverter placed back to back) based on other Siemens traction power converters. The 2006 traction network shutdown originated in one of the converter modules at this plant. Richmond output power is scheduled with PECO, although the units themselves are operated by Amtrak remotely from Philadelphia. Generally, the three PECO-supplied converters (Richmond, Metuchen, and Lamokin) are scheduled as a block with PECO. 39°59′1″N 75°4′41″W

• Jericho Park, MD - 20 MW Static Converter. Jericho Park was constructed to replace the capacity lost when BG&E declined to renew the Benning rotary converter contract. BG&E proposed a static converter to replace Benning and Jericho Park came on service six years later. It consists of two 10 MW cycloconverter modules supplied by GE. 39°0′56″N 76°46′09″W

Jericho Park was the first solid-state power supply introduced on the Amtrak network. It suffered from some filtering network problems caused by the highly distorted voltage present on the catenary and was ultimately downgraded from its original design capacity of 25 MW to 22 MVA. Amtrak has requested funding to rehabilitate portions of the converter in an ARRA request. During the twelve month period that ended in August 2009, the Jericho Park converter used about 70 GWh of energy. Note that SEPTA's static converter plant at Wayne Junction is also based on this technology, although it was supplied by a different company; see SEPTA's 25 Hz Traction Power System. 39°0′56″N 76°46′9″W

Former converter and power stations

Waterside Power Station in Manhattan, New York

The majority of power sources in the original Pennsylvania Railroad electrification were built prior to 1940. Some have been retired out-right, others have been replaced with co-located static frequency converters, and others remain in service and will be refurbished and operated indefinitely. The following tables lists sources which are no longer in service.

Location	Type (Number)	Capacity (MW)	Dates in Service	Comments
Long Island City	Steam Turbines (5)	18 / 32	1910–1954	Three turbines originally, five from c. 1910. 32.5 MW total capacity.
Waterside	Steam Turbines (3)	24	c. 1910-1978
Richmond	Motor-Generators (2)	60	1932–1996	Replaced with co-located 180 MW Static Frequency Converter
Schuylkill	Motor Generator	18	1914–1971
Somerset	Motor Generator	18	c. 1933-c. 1990s	Demolished circa 2011. Power at 13 kV, single phase, 25 Hz, ran from four switches at NE corner of building NE along Trenton Ave and connecting rail line to Frankford Junction, where they ran along Delair Branch to Richmond Sub 31. Also supplied Reading Railroad system via Wayne Junction. Transmission lines have also been removed. 39°59′11″N 75°07′04″W
Benning	Frequency Changer	25	1934–1986	Operating contract expired.
Radnor	Synchronous Condensers	N/A	1917-c. 1930	Power factor correction and voltage regulation

Long Island City Power Plant under construction in New York in 1905

The Pepco Benning Road power station in Washington, D.C., supplied 25 MVA of 25 Hz power via a rotary frequency changer in the hall nearest the Metro tracks from 1935 until 1986.

A picture of one of the 1916 Radnor Synchronous Condensers from Electrical World

Declining need for 25 Hz power

During the beginning of the 20th century, 25 Hz power was much more readily available from commercial electrical utilities. The vast majority of urban subway systems used 25 Hz power to supply their lineside rotary converters used to generate the DC voltage supplied to the trains. Since rotary converters work more efficiently with lower frequency supplies, 25 Hz was a common supply frequency for these machines. Rotary converters have been steadily replaced over the past 70 years with, at first, mercury arc rectifiers and more lately solid-state rectifiers. Thus, the need for special frequency power for urban traction has disappeared, along with the financial motivation for utilities to operate generators at these frequencies.

Long Island City Generating Station

Long Island City Power Station in Hunter's Point, NY was built by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1906 in preparation for the North River Tunnels and the opening of Pennsylvania Station in Manhattan. The station consisted of 64 coal-fired boilers and three steam turbine generators with a total capacity of 16 MW. In 1910, the station was expanded with two additional turbine generators for a total capacity of 32.5 MW. Power was transmitted to rotary converters (AC to DC machines) for use in the PRR's original third rail electrification scheme. Like most DC electric distribution systems of the time (Thomas Edison's being the most famous), 25 Hz power was used to drive rotary converters at substations along the line. Some sources state that the station was largely dormant by the 1920s. When AC overhead electrification was extended in the 1930s, Long Island City connected to the 11 kV catenary distribution system. Operation of the station was transferred to Consolidated Edison in 1938, although ConEd began supplying power from the adjacent Waterside Generating Station, most likely due to declining overall demand for 25 Hz power. The station was disused and sold in the mid 1950s. 40.7430°N 73.9581°W / 40.7430; -73.9581 (Long Island City Generating Station (Disused))

Waterside Generating Station

Originally constructed by Consolidated Edison to supply power to their DC distribution system in Manhattan, Waterside began supplying power to the PRR's AC system around 1938 when ConEd assumed operation of the Long Island City Station. The single-phase turbine generators were retired in the mid-1970s due to safety concerns. Two transformers were installed to supply catenary power from remaining (three-phase) portions of ConEd's still relatively extensive 25 Hz system. Power flow management problems prevented usage of this source under other than emergency conditions. 40.7464°N 73.9707°W / 40.7464; -73.9707 (Waterside Generating Station (Demolished))

Benning Frequency Changer

In 1986, Baltimore Gas and Electric elected to not renew the contract under which it had operated the Benning Power Station frequency changer on behalf of Amtrak. They proposed a static frequency changer which was built at Jericho Park (Bowie, Maryland) and placed on service in the spring of 1992. 38.8975335°N 76.9592983°W / 38.8975335; -76.9592983 (Benning Frequency Changer ( demolished))

Radnor synchronous condenser

Although reactive power has primarily been supplied along with real power by the steam turbines and motor generators of the system, the PRR briefly used two synchronous condensers. Shortly after commissioning the 1915 electrification, the railroad discovered that the 44 kV feeders and large inductive loads on the system were causing significant voltage sag. The supplying electric utility (Philadelphia Electric) also discovered that power factor correction was needed. In 1917, the PRR installed two 11 kV, 4.5 MVA synchronous converters at Radnor, the approximate center point of the system load. This substation was located at the site of water tanks used to supply water to track pans which supplied water to conventional locomotives. At some later time, the converters were shut down and removed. Dedicated machines for reactive power support have not been used subsequently by either the PRR or Amtrak. 40.0447251°N 75.3594625°W / 40.0447251; -75.3594625 (Radnor)

Substations

Frazer substation on the Philadelphia to Harrisburg Main Line

Old substation remote control panel at Paoli interlocking tower

A one-line diagram of the 1930 era substation at Bowie, MD

The large substation at the Safe Harbor dam is one of the minority that steps-up 25 Hz power to 138 kV for long distance transmission.

One-line diagram of Zoo Sub 9, circa 1997, on the Load Dispatcher mimic board in Philadelphia

The Power Dispatcher's view of substation 43 (New York City Penn Station)

The PRR's original 1915 electrification made use of four substations, at Arsenal Bridge, West Philadelphia, Bryn Mawr, and Paoli. The Arsenal Bridge substation stepped-up 13.2 kV, 25 Hz power supplied from PECO's Schuylkill power station on Christian Street to 44 kV for distribution. The remaining three substations reduced the 44 kV distribution voltage to 11 kV trolley voltage. The substations were operated from adjacent signal towers. They used typical period concrete buildings to house the transformers and switchgear while the line terminals were on the roof. From 1918 onwards outdoor stations were used and when the main line electrification began in 1928 the stations became large open air structures using lattice steel frameworks to mount the 132 kV terminations and switchgear. By 1935 new stations were connected to remote supervision systems allowing power directors to open and close switches and breakers from central offices without having to go through the tower operators.

Today about 55 substations are part of Amtrak's network. Substations are spaced on average 8 miles apart and feed 12 kV catenary circuits in both directions along the line. Thus the catenary is segmented (via section breaks, also called 'sectionalizations' by the PRR) at each substation, and each substation feeds both sides of a catenary's section break. A train traveling between two substations draws power through both transformers.

A typical substation includes two to four 138/12 kV transformers, 138 kV air switches that permit isolation of individual transformers, shutdown one of the two 138 kV feeders, or cross-connection from one feeder to another. The output of the transformers is routed to track catenary via 12 kV circuit breakers and air disconnect switches. Cross-connect switches allow one transformer to feed all catenary lines.

The PRR substation architecture was based on a long distance, high speed railway. The substation spacing ensures that any train is never more than 4 or 5 miles from the nearest substation, which minimized voltage drop. One disadvantage to the substation design as originally built by the PRR concerns its lack of 138 kV circuit breakers. Essentially all segmentation of the 138 kV system must be done by hand. This makes rapid isolation of a fault on the 138 kV line very slow. Faults in one part of the line also affect the entire distribution system since it is impossible for the 138 kV transmission to protect or reconfigure itself during a fault condition. High voltage faults generally are cleared by opening converter output breakers, which causes a concurrent loss of the converter. The system does not degrade gracefully under high voltage faults. Rather than isolating, for example, the south 138 kV feeder between Washington and Perryville, the system would require opening converter output breakers at Jericho Park and Safe Harbor. This results is loss of much more of the network than is required to simply isolate the fault.

Former Pennsylvania Railroad Substations

Station Name	Coordinates	Sta. No.	Yr. Blt.	Comments
Early Philadelphia Lines
West Philadelphia (44 kV)	39°57′24″N 75°11′08″W	1	1915	Removed c. 1930
Arsenal (44 kV)	39°56′46″N 75°11′30″W	2	1915	44 kV portions abandoned c. 1930
Bryn Mawr	40°01′17″N 75°18′51″W	3	1915	Switching Station only since c. 1960
Radnor SC	40°02′37″N 75°22′07″W	5	1916	Two 4.5 MVA Synchronous Condensers. Removed c. 1960
Paoli	40°02′36″N 75°29′22″W	4	1915	Station expanded 1938. 44 kV disconnected c. 1960
Greentree Switching	40°02′27″N 75°30′04″W	--	1938
North Philadelphia	39°59′49″N 75°09′27″W	6	1918
Allen Lane	40.062643°N 75.198652°W / 40.062643; -75.198652 (Allen Lane Substation 7)	7	1918	Switching Station only since c. 19??
Arsenal (138 kV) Step up	39°56′45″N 75°11′31″W	2A	1928	Step-up capability removed c. 1971
Morton	39.9073°N 75.3321°W / 39.9073; -75.3321 (Morton Substation 01)	01	1928
Lenni	39°53′38″N 75°26′33″W	02	1928
Cheyney	39.92915°N 75.5225°W / 39.92915; -75.5225 (Cheyney Substation 03 (Removed))	03	1928	Reduced to switching-only station then removed outright
West Chester	39°57′26″N 75°35′37″W	04	1928	Reduced to switching-only station then removed outright
New York - Philadelphia Main Line
New Rochelle	40.9069°N 73.7900°W / 40.9069; -73.7900 (New Rochelle Substation 47)	47		Originally 25 Hz; switched to 60 Hz coincident with Metro-North. No longer supplies Amtrak power.
Van Nest	40.8420°N 73.8633°W / 40.8420; -73.8633 (Van Nest Substation 46)	46		Originally 25 Hz; switched to 60 Hz coincident with Metro North. Now the supply substation for Amtrak's 60 Hz system between Gate Interlocking and New Rochelle.
Bowery Bay	40.7643°N 73.9054°W / 40.7643; -73.9054 (Bowery Bay Substation 45)	45		Originally 25 Hz; switched to 60 Hz coincident with Metro North. Switching only. Section break between 25 Hz and 60 Hz systems.
Sunnyside	40.747341°N 73.931370°W / 40.747341; -73.931370 (Sunnyside Yard Substation 44)	44	1931	Switching only
Penn Station	40.7518°N 73.9979°W / 40.7518; -73.9979 (Penn Station Substation 43 (31st St. Section))	43A, 43B	1931	Switching only; two sections: 31st St., and 7th Ave.
Hackensack (Union City)	40°46′18″N 74°2′38″W	42	1931/32
Kearney	40°44′41″N 74°07′06″W	41	1931/32
Waverly	40°41′24″N 74°11′54″W	40	1932/33
Rahway	40°36′01″N 74°16′58″W	39	1932/33
Metuchen	40°32′21″N 74°21′49″W	38	1932/33
Millstone	40°28′45″N 74°27′56″W	37	1932/33
Monmouth	40°22′36″N 74°32′54″W	36	1933
Princeton	40.317459°N 74.62145°W / 40.317459; -74.62145 (Princeton Substation 35)	35	1933
Morrisville	40°12′04″N 74°46′38″W	34	1930
Edgely	40°07′07″N 74°50′23″W	33	1930
Cornwells (Cornwells Heights, PA)	40°04′19″N 74°57′02″W	32	1930
Richmond FC	39.986241°N 75.073939°W / 39.986241; -75.073939 (Richmond Frequency Changer 31)	31	1933
Frankford	40°00′07″N 75°5′52″W	30	1930	Also supplied 44 kV to Allen Lane c. 1930 to c. 19??.
Zoo (138 kV)	39°58′14″N 75°11′57″W	9	1930	Contains 138 kV circuit breakers.
Zoo (44 kV)	39°58′13″N 75°12′00″W	8	1930	Removed c. 1960
West Philadelphia Switching	39°57′27″N 75°11′06″W	1A	1930	Supplied from Arsenal & Zoo
New Jersey Branches
Journal Square	40.733284°N 74.064806°W / 40.733284; -74.064806 (Journal Square Substation 50 (Disused))	50	1932/33	Catenary disused c. 1980. Remained for a while to supply signal power for PATH and freight on Jersey City Branch. Abandoned.
South Amboy	40°29′25″N 74°17′15″W	48	1932/33
Helmetta (Outcalt)	40.3848°N 74.4044°W / 40.3848; -74.4044 (Helmetta Substation 47 (Disused))	47	1938	Disused c. 1980, abandoned.
Greenville Switching	40°41′12″N 74°05′46″W	--	1935	Supplied from Waverly. Removed c. 1980
Philadelphia - Washington Main Line
Arsenal	39°56′44″N 75°11′32″W	2A	1928	138 kV step-down
Brill	39°55′45″N 75°13′26″W	10A	1981	Added for SEPTA Airport Line
Glenolden	39.899444°N 75.281603°W / 39.899444; -75.281603 (Glenolden Substation 10)	10	1928
Lamokin (Chester, PA)	39.8429°N 75.3759°W / 39.8429; -75.3759 (Lamokin Substation 11)	11	1928	Adjacent to Rotary Converter
Bellevue	39°46′03″N 75°29′02″W	12	1928
West Yard (Wilmington, DE)	39°43′43″N 75°34′13″W	13	1928
Davis (Newark, DE)	39°40′21″N 75°44′36″W	14	1935
Bacon Hill (North East, MD)	39.6035°N 75.8937°W / 39.6035; -75.8937 (Bacon Hill Substation 15)	15	1935
Perryville, MD	39°33′23″N 76°04′36″W	16	1935	Phase Break Indicator. 138 kV circuit breakers segment transmission lines North from West.
Perryman, MD	39.462501°N 76.203256°W / 39.462501; -76.203256 (Perryman Substation 17)	17	1935
Gunpow (Chase, MD)	39.377844°N 76.355243°W / 39.377844; -76.355243 (Gunpow Substation 18)	18	1935
North Point	39°18′10″N 76°31′02″W	19	1935
Baltimore	39.30916°N 76.618955°W / 39.30916; -76.618955 (Baltimore Substation 20)	20	1935
Loudon Park	39.273084°N 76.67689°W / 39.273084; -76.67689 (Loudon Park Substation 21)	21	1935
Severn	39°08′20″N 76°41′49″W	22	1935
Bowie	39°00′21″N 76°46′52″W	23	1935
Landover	38°55′44″N 76°53′51″W	24	1935
Ivy City	38°55′6″N 76°58′57″W	2nd 25	2010
Union Switching	38.9021°N 77.0038°W / 38.9021; -77.0038 (Union Switching Station 25A)	25A	1935	12 kV switching station supplied from Capitol 1935, then Landover c. 1990, then Ivy City 2010.
Capitol	38°52′50″N 77°0′30″W	Formerly 25	1935	Demolished; footings still visible
Potomac Switching	38°50′24″N 77°03′03″W	26	1935	Supplied from Capitol. Disused c. 1980 and demolished c. 2000, New Utility Sub built.
Trenton Cutoff Freight Route
Langhorne	40°10′30″N 74°58′08″W	61	1938	Demolished; footings still visible.
Horsham	40°08′55″N 75°08′53″W	62	1938	Removed
Earnest	40°06′24″N 75°19′34″W	63	1930	Supplied PRR Schuylkill Branch and Trenton Cutoff. Removed.
Philadelphia - Harrisburg Main Line
Frazer, PA	40°01′52″N 75°34′27″W	64	1938
Thorndale, PA	39°59′48″N 75°44′3″W	65	1938	Phase Break Indicators Holds one of the three sets of 138 kV circuit breakers in the system.
Parkesburg, PA	39°57′37″N 75°54′58″W	66	1938
Kinzer	39°59′55″N 76°4′8″W	67	1938
Witmer (Smoketown, PA )	40°2′35″N 76°12′51″W	68	1938
Dillersville Switching	40°3′25″N 76°19′16″W	--	1938	Supplied Columbia Branch from Mainline catenary (12 kV). Disused c. 1980?
Landisville, PA	40°5′23″N 76°23′0″W	69	1938
Rheems, PA	40.130704°N 76.566996°W / 40.130704; -76.566996 (Rheems Substation70)	70	1938
Royalton, PA	40°11′02″N 76°43′33″W	71	1938
Harrisburg, PA	40°15′17″N 76°52′25″W	72	1938
Low-grade Freight Routes (now only used for transmission lines)
Bart	39°55′03″N 76°04′40″W	51	1938	Removed
Providence	39°55′42″N 76°13′51″W	52	1938	Removed
Conowingo	39°40′7″N 76°10′15″W	53	1938	Demolished; footings still visible. Separate from Conowingo generating station, never connected.
Fishing Creek	39°47′23″N 76°15′46″W	54	1938	Removed. Separate from Holtwood generating station, never connected.
Safe Harbor (PRR) Conestoga Sub (SHWP)	39°55′36″N 76°23′6″W	55	1934	Step-up station for Safe Harbor supply. Catenary facilities added 1938 then disused c. 1980.
Columbia	40°01′58″N 76°30′31″W	56	1938	Removed - site paved over
Rowenna (Marietta, PA)	40°03′43″N 76°36′43″W	57	1938	Abandoned; concrete footings visible. Single transmission line between Safe Harbor Sub 55 and Royalton Sub 71 runs past site, but no longer terminates.
Goldsboro	40.1217°N 76.7317°W / 40.1217; -76.7317 (Goldsboro Substation 58 (Demolished))	58	1938	Removed
Enola, PA	40°16′40″N 76°55′13″W	59, 73	1938	Demolished

Transmission lines

The Load Dispatcher's Mimic Board at 30th Street Station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, circa 1996. The entire 138 kV transmission system is represented on this panel.

The four utility-owned 138 kV circuits from Safe Harbor (Pennsylvania) to Perryville (Maryland).

Catenary support with 6.9 kV, 100 Hz transformer for signal power

Catenary supports near Odenton, Maryland. Three-conductor 60 Hz utility lines enter from the left and are carried in either direction along the line. The remainder of the high voltages lines are 25 Hz.

All transmission lines within the 25 Hz system are two-wire, single-phase, 138 kV. The center tap of each 138 kV/12 kV transformer is connected to ground, thus the two transmission lines are tied to ±69 kV with respect to ground and 138 kV relative to each other.

Generally two separate two-wire circuits travel along the rail line between substations. One circuit is mounted at the top of the catenary poles on one side of the track; the second circuit runs along the other side.

The arrangement of catenary supports and transmission wires gives the overhead structure along former Pennsylvania Railroad lines its characteristic 80-foot-tall 'H'-shaped structure. They are much taller than the overhead electrification structures on other electrified American railroads due to the 138 kV transmission lines. Catenary towers and transmission lines along former New York Central Railroad lines and Amtrak's New England division are much shorter, and are recognizable due to different design and construction.

While a majority of the transmission infrastructure is located directly above the rail lines on the same structure that supports the catenary system, some lines are either located above lines that have been de-electrified or abandoned or in a few cases on completely independent rights of way.

The following is a list of all major segments of the 25 Hz 138 kV transmission infrastructure listing substations (SS or Sub) or high-tension switching stations (HT Sw'g) as termini. For clarity, positions of substations are not repeated in this table. A listing of the high-tension switching stations follows.

Terminus	Terminus	# 138 kV circuits	Right of way	Notes
Union City Sub 42	Cornwell Heights Sub 32	4	Main Line Philadelphia to New York
Kearney Sub 41	Journal Square Sub 50	2	Jersey City Branch	Out of service, line used by PATH.
Rahway Sub 39	South Amboy 48	2	New York and Long Branch	Used for NJTRO NJCL power
Monmouth Jct 36	South Amboy 48	1	Jamesburg Branch	Via Helmetta Sub 47; Out of service
Morrisville Sub 34	Earnest HT Sw'g	1	Trenton Cutoff	Out of service and almost completely removed. Some portions east of the Earnest Junction HT Switching Station and west of the Morrisville Substation (within the confines of the Morrisville yard) remain.
Cornwell Heights Sub 32	Richmond Sub 31	2	Industrial RoW	Splits from Main Line south of Holmesburg and follows alignment along Delaware River.
Cornwells Heights Sub 32	Richmond Sub 31	2	Along Main Line to Frankford Junction, then Delair Branch
Frankford Sub 30	Richmond Sub 31	2	Delair Branch	De-electrified and catenary removed.
Cornwell Heights Sub 32	Frankford Sub 30	1	Along Main Line ROW Phil to NY
Frankford Sub 30	Ivy City Sub 25	2	Main Line from north of Phil to Washington
Zoo Sub 9	Earnest HT Sw'g	2	Schuylkill Branch	Tracks removed past Cynwyd Station.
Arsenal Sub 2A	Lenni Sub 02	1	West Chester Branch	Power for SEPTA Media/Elwyn Line line.
Lamokin Sub 11	Lenni Sub 02	1 (2)	Private RoW	Feeds West end of SEPTA Media/Elwyn Line line. Built as two (c. 1935) circuits.
Earnest HT Sw'g	Frazer Sub 64	2	Runs along Trenton Cutoff	Powers Main Line via Frazer Sub
Paoli Sub 4	Landisville Sub 69	2	Main Line Philadelphia to Harrisburg	Frazer SS to Paoli SS dead end line.
Parkesburg Sub 66	Safe Harbor Sub 55	2	Atglen and Susquehanna	Rails removed. Replacement of transmission lines in progress. See section below.
Landisville Sub 69	Royalton Sub 71	1	Main Line Philadelphia to Harrisburg
Safe Harbor Sub 55	Rowenna Sub 57	2	Enola Branch	After Rowenna Sub decommissioned, one circuit logically split to run direct to Royalton Sub.
Rowenna Sub 57	Royalton Sub 71	1	Royalton Branch	Line now continuous from Safe Harbor to Royalton.
Rowenna Sub 57	Lemo HT Sw'g	1	Enola Branch	Line now continuous from Safe Harbor. Out of Service, wires cut at Columbia.
Lemo HT Sw'g	Enola Sub 59	2	Enola Branch	Served Enola Yard, out of service.
Royalton Sub 71	Harrisburg Sub 72	2	Main Line Philadelphia to Harrisburg
Lemo HT Sw'g	Harrisburg Sub 72	2	Runs across Susquehanna River on Cumberland Valley RR Bridge	Out of service
Safe Harbor Sub 55	Perryville Sub 16	4	Private RoW	Utility-style transmission towers. P5 and P6 lines were tapped south to serve Fishing Creek Sub 54 and Conowingo Sub 53. These taps were removed concurrently with their associated substations.
Landover Sub 24	Ivy City Sub 25	2	Main Line Philadelphia to Washington	Portion from Landover (24) to Ivy City (25) constructed in 2010.
Landover Sub 24	Capitol (Former Sub 25)	2	Landover Line	Former route to Capitol Sub 25. Out of service and partially removed.

High-tension switching stations - located outside substations, i.e. in the field

Name	Location	Designation	Comments
Metuchen HT Sw'g	40.548998°N 74.346318°W / 40.548998; -74.346318 (Metuchen HT Sw'g)	138M through 438M	Disconnects each of main line circuits (4) from two spurs that runs via private ROW to Metuchen Frequency Changer.
Lemo HT Sw'g	40.248454°N 76.888483°W / 40.248454; -76.888483 (Lemo HT Sw'g)		West of Susquehanna River near Harrisburg; disconnects circuits running between Enola, Harrisburg, and Rowenna substations
Earnest HT Sw'g	40°6′15″N 75°19′15″W	163,263 (Trenton Cutoff E); 164, 264 (Trenton Cutoff W); 1ED,2ED (to Zoo)	Located at junction between Trenton Cutoff and Schuylkill Branch. Manually operated disconnect switches, now redundant with the abandonment of Trenton Cutoff transmission line and removal of Earnest Sub 63.
Frankford HT Sw'g	40.0013°N 75.0943°W / 40.0013; -75.0943 (Frankford HT Sw'g 22)	22	Disconnects the feeder (42H) from Richmond from transmission line running between Frankford (22HT) and Cornwells (230E) in event of damage to catenary supports on Delair Branch. Allow limited feeding between Cornwells and Frankford to bypass Richmond.

Ongoing construction

Ivy City Substation 25 under construction in Washington, D.C., in 2010

Amtrak's capital improvement program which began in 2003 has continued to the present day and has since 2009, received added support from economic stimulus funding sources (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 or ARRA).

Major improvements in 2009 included:

• Replacement of the final 138 kV cable in the Baltimore tunnel.
• Renewal of 33 miles of catenary.
• Replacement of 14 traction power transformers (138/12 kV).
• Installation of twenty 12 kV traction circuit breakers.
• Commencing Ivy City substation construction.
• Catenary renewal along Hell Gate line.

Major improvements in 2010 included:

• Completion of the Ivy City substation and 138 kV transmission line.
• Replace five traction power transformers.
• Renew 40 miles of catenary in Maryland.
• Renew 18 miles of catenary in Pennsylvania.
• Continue catenary renewal along Hell Gate line in New York.
• Replace the 138 kV transmission line between Safe Harbor (Conestoga Substation) and Atglen, PA (just west of Parkesburg, PA).
• Upgrade the Metuchen frequency converter.

Conestoga to Atglen transmission line

Amtrak will replace the transmission lines that tie the Conestoga Substation to Parksburg via Atglen. These lines were originally installed over the Atglen and Susquehanna Branch. The line was subsequently abandoned by Conrail and the tracks removed, but Amtrak has retained an easement to operate its 138 kV transmission lines over the roadbed. Towers and conductors over 24 miles of the route are to be replaced. Work was complete in September 2011. The scope of work includes:

• Original Portal and Cantelever catenary support (~450 structures) removal.
• Installation of 257 new monopole structures.
• 96 miles of ACSR transmission conductor installation (two circuits, two wires each).
• 24 miles of fiberoptic ground line.

Funding for this project is included under the ARRA program. The specified number of poles will result in a spacing of approximately 500 feet per tower. This is approximately twice as far apart the 1930s structures were placed; 270 ft was the average span length.

Ivy City Substation

The Ivy City substation is the first extension of 138 kV transmission line since Safe Harbor Dam was constructed in 1938. In the original PRR electrification scheme, the 138 kV transmission lines went south from Landover to the Capital South substation rather than following the line through Ivy City to the northern approach to Union Station. The two tracks between Landover and Union Station had no high voltage transmission line above them; Union Station catenary was fed at 12 kV from the Landover and Capitol substations (the latter via the First Street Tunnels). When the Capitol South substation was abandoned, coincident with the de-electrification of the track between Landover and Potomac Yard, Union Station and its approaches became a single-end fed section of track. This combined with rising traffic levels resulted in low voltage conditions on the approaches to Union Station and decreased system reliability.

The Ivy City project has built construct a two transformer (4.5 MVA each), 138/12 kV substation on the northeast edge of the Ivy City yard complex and 5.2 miles of 138 kV transmission line. Since the original catenary supports along this section of track were only high enough for the 12 kV catenary wire, the 138 kV lines were installed on new steel monopod poles installed along the right-of-way. Except for the fact that the new poles only carry four conductors rather than the typical six for a utility line, the new line appears as a typical medium voltage power line rather than the typical PRR style H-shaped structure.

Zoo to Paoli Transmission Line

In late 2010, Amtrak solicited design services for new transmission lines between Paoli and Zoo Substations. Primary objectives of this expansion include improving reliability of transmission between Safe Harbor and Philadelphia, and reducing maintenance costs. This project dovetails with the Safe Harbor to Atglen transmission line replacement, which is already underway.

If built the Zoo to Paoli transmission line will replace the current supply scheme which uses 138 kV lines which run circuitously along the SEPTA Cynwyd Line, Schuylkill Secondary and Trenton Cut-off between the Zoo and Frazer substations. The new routing will reduce maintenance costs, as Amtrak must now maintain vegetation along right-of-way which it neither owns or uses for revenue service. The conceptual line will run from the existing Paoli substation to the junction of the Harrisburg to Philadelphia main line and SEPTA's Cynwyd line at the 52nd street bridge. 39.9785°N 75.2280°W / 39.9785; -75.2280 (End of New Construction for Paoli-Zoo Transmission Lines).

The new lines would connect to the existing 1ED and 2ED circuits, which will be abandoned between the junction and their current terminus at the Earnest Junction HT Switch. The plan also includes construction of a 138/12 kV substation at Bryn Mawr to replace the existing switching station. The existing 1905 era catenary structures are planned for replacement, and new transmission supports will be compatible with catenary replacement.

However a similar plan by the Pennsylvania Railroad was defeated by opposition from the wealthy Main Line communities due to the impact of tall transmission lines on the local scenery.

Recent problems

Despite the recent capital improvements throughout the system, several high-profile power failures have occurred along the NEC in recent years.

May 26, 2006 Blackout

On May 25, 2006, during restoration from maintenance on one of the Richmond inverter modules, a command to restore the module to full output capability was not executed. The system tolerated this reduced capacity for about 36 hours, during which time the problem went unnoticed. During rush hour the next morning (May 26), the overall capacity became overloaded:

• At 7:55 am, the two Jerico Park converter breakers tripped.
• Shortly after, the Sunnyside converter tripped.
• At 8:02 am, three of the Richmond converter modules breakers tripped. A fourth tripped shortly afterward. After the fourth Richmond breaker tripped, the system began to destabilize. Human operators recognized the impending system damage and manually tripped the remaining power supplies, shutting down the entire 25 Hz network.

By 8:03 am, the entire 25 Hz system, stretching from Washington, D.C. to Queens, New York, was shut down. About 52,000 people were stranded on trains or otherwise affected. Two New Jersey Transit trains stranded under the Hudson River were retrieved by diesel locomotives. Restoration was hampered by policies which allowed the converter stations to operate unattended during rush hour periods. The 25 Hz system was restored by 'black start' using the Safe Harbor water turbines, and most service along the system returned to normal by mid-afternoon. Amtrak subsequently improved its system of maintaining 'rescue' diesel locomotives near the Hudson River tunnels.

December 23, 2009 Brownout

Low system voltage around New York City caused a halt of trains in and around the New York area at 8:45 am on Wednesday, December 23, 2009. Power was never lost, and voltage was restored by 11:30 am. Amtrak stated that an electrical problem in North Bergen, New Jersey (near the western portal and the Union City substation) caused the problem, but did not further elaborate on the nature of the malfunction.

August 24, 2010 Brownout

Low system voltages beginning at 7:45 am on Tuesday, August 24, 2010, caused Amtrak to order an essentially system-wide stoppage of trains within the 25 Hz traction network. Slow-speed service was gradually restored, and the power problem was corrected by 9:00 am, although delays persisted the remainder of the morning.

See also

• Railroad electrification in the United States
• Mariazeller Bahn, an Austrian narrow gauge railway also using 25 Hz single-phase AC
• Traction power network
• Traction current converter plant
• Railway electric traction
• Railway electrification system
• Electrification of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad
• Amtrak's 60 Hz Traction Power System
• 25 kV AC railway electrification
• List of current systems for electric rail traction
• Pulse code cab signaling for an explanation of the uses of the 100 Hz power that is also distributed along the line.

References

• Amtrak's Northeast Corridor - Facts and Background Information 2009.
• Amtrak News Release ATK-10-062, dated April 28, 2010.
• Eastern Region Electric Power System, Drawing ET-1, Dated June 10, 1935. Retrieved November 10, 2010.
• Eitzmann, M.A.; Paserba, J.J.; Undrill, J.M.; Amicarella, C.; Jones, A.L.; Khalafalla, E.B.; Liverant, W. "Model Development and Stability Assessment of the Amtrak 25 Hz Traction System from New York to Washington DC". Proceedings of the 1997 IEEE/ASME Joint Railroad Conference, 1997. DOI: 10.1109/RRCON.1997.581348.
• "Electrification of the Pennsylvania at Philadelphia", Railway Age Gazette, Vol. 59, No. 20, New York: 1915, pp. 889–894. Retrieved from Google Books on 01/01/2011.
• "The Electrification of the Pennsylvania Railroad from Broad Street Terminal Philadelphia to Paoli", The Electric Journal, Vol 12, pp. 536–541, Pittsburgh, PA: 1915. Retrieved from Google Books November 10, 2010.
• Freeman, B. "Electric Traction Frequency - A Specific Case". Technical Papers Presented at the 1990 ASME/IEEE Joint Railroad Conference, 1990. DOI: 10.1109/RRCON.1990.171668.
• Griffith, H.C. "Single-Phase Electrification on the Pennsylvania Railroad", Electrical Engineers, Journal of the Institution of, Vol 81, Issue 487, p. 91, 1937. DOI: 10.1049/jiee-1.1937.0116. A good general overview of the 1930s electrification, written while most of the main line was complete, but work was still ongoing.
• Jones, A.L. "A New Power Supply for the Northeast Corridor". Proceedings of the 1993 IEEE/ASME Joint Railroad Conference, 1993. DOI: 10.1109/RRCON.1993.292962.
• McElligott, S.P. and Hornung, E.F. Strengthening Amtrak's South End - the Ivy City Substation Project. Retrieved on 8/5/2011. Provides a good discussion on the design decisions related to the Ivy City substation. Good plan view of the substation and breaker and transmission line designations.
• Testimony of Stanley R. Forczek and Lynn R. Coles before the Public Service Commission of Maryland, February 5, 1999. Case Number 8794/8804 Retrieved August 15, 2010.
• Reply Testimony of Stanley R. Forczek, August 28, 2009. Case Number 9173. Retrieved August 15, 2010.
• "Power Factor Correction and Voltage Regulation Equipment", Electrical World, Vol. 69, No. 9, pp. 439–440, New York: McGraw Hill, 1917. Retrieved from Google Books on November 12, 2010.
• "Thirtieth Street Station, Load Dispatch Center, Thirtieth & Market Streets, Railroad Station, Amtrak (formerly Pennsylvania Railroad Station), Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA", Historic American Engineering Record, Survey Number HAER PA-404-B, Retrieved from the Library of Congress 01/01/2011.
• "Pennsylvania Station, New York Terminal Service Plant, 250 West Thirty-first Street, New York, New York, NY", Historic American Buildings Survey, Survey Number HABS NY,31-NEYO,78A-, retrieved from the Library of Congress 01/09/2011.
• Gray, Christopher, "Streetsca[es: Long Island City Power Station; A 1906 Railroad Landmark on the Queens Shoreline," New York Times, May 22, 1998. Retrieved 1/31/2011.
• Railway Power Stations of New York City, IEEE Global History Network. Retrieved 1/31/2011.
• New York Edison Company, Powerhouse, 686-700 First Avenue, New York, New York, NY, Historic American Building Survey, Survey HABS NY,31-NEYO,159A-, retrieved from the Library of Congress on 1/31/2011.
• Blalock, Thomas. "The Frequency Changer Era - Interconnecting systems of varying cycles", IEEE Power and Energy Magazine, Vol. 1, No. 5, Sep/Oct 2003. Retrieved 3/5/2011.